Filipino mentor RL Lacnienta (center) with Miss Earth Australia Jessica Lane (left) and Miss International Australia Selina McCloskey. Image: INQUIRER.net/Armin P. Adina

The Philippines’ reputation as an international pageant powerhouse has reached the “Land Down Under,” as Australia’s delegates to two major international competitions undergo training under a Filipino mentor.

RL Lacanienta has been coaching Miss International Australia 2024 Selina McCloskey and Miss Earth Australia Jessica Lane virtually over the past couple of months, and finally got to have face-to-face sessions with the two ladies in October in Manila.

Both McCloskey and Lane faced a group of Filipino journalists and online content creators in Parañaque City last month to discuss their preparations under the veteran Filipino mentor.

“Selina and I both are very fortunate we have the incredible trainer, RL. I myself am a pageant newbie, so my ‘pasarela’ (pageant walk) is my main priority,” Lane told INQUIRER.net.

“So my main priority with training has been the pasarela, performing that catwalk, being the best display of a beauty queen that I can, while being a genuine, true ambassador for our Earth,” continued Lane, whose international pageant promotes environmental awareness.

McCloskey said the Miss Interntional pageant also resonates with her as a person. “So there hasn’t been too much of a transformation of personality. It’s been more learning how to do my hair, my makeup, and learn question-and-answer. Just walking practice. RL is being fantastic,” she shared.

Lane also shared what she observed during her first visit to Manila. “Over here in the Philippines I’ve noticed, part of the culture is a genuine love of life. It’s something that I hope to bring back to Australia,” she said.

“Something I’m so proud to see here in the Philippines is that you take every day as though it is a gift. And this is part of the pageant world as well. I’ve been treated with so much compassion and respect while being here. And I just feel so honored to be here,” she continued.

“Truly, I’m so grateful that Miss Earth is here in the Philippines this year. It’s gonna be the most incredible experience. That love of life that the culture here shares, I hope to bring back to Australia,” Lane added.

McCloskey, meanwhile, declared her confidence on the “Filipino touch” that she and Lane underwent. “The Philippines do it like no other. They’re next level. Actually with my hair and my makeup, I’ve never looked like this before,” she said.

“Australians have a very relaxed lifestyle, which is also reflected on our walking. So RL is teaching us to take it to that next level, so we are able to compete on that international stage,” she added.

McCloskey will try to become the fourth Australian to be proclaimed Miss International, while Lane is aiming to to post her country’s first Miss Earth victory, after getting so close to the crown several times in the past.

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The 2024 Miss Earth coronation night will be held at Cove Manila at Okada Manila in Parañaque City on Nov. 9lucky rainbow, while the 2024 Miss International final competition will be at the Tokyo Dome City Hall in Japan on Nov. 12.

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