After her reign in Bb. Pilipinas, MJ Lastimosa is embarking on a new chapter in her life. Asked if she wants to try modeling overseas, MJ replied that she doesn’t want to leave the Philippines as of now and rather explore other opportunities here at the moment.

“Kasi parang [kapag] magi-inspire ako ng tao, gusto kong ma-inspire ‘yung mga nandito sa Philippines and tubong probinsya kasi ako so tuwang-tuwa ako na tuwing umuuwi ako ng North Cotabato nakikita ko ‘yung mga young kids na ‘Ate MJ gusto ko po ganyan, mag-aaral po ako ng mabuti dahil sa inyo,’ so parang every time na may nagsasabi sa akin ng ganon mas gusto ko pang to do better in my life so I think dito muna sa Philippines,” she said in an interview with Push.com.ph

The beauty queen recently starred in a Maalaala Mo Kaya episode and she hopes that her stint on the show would lead to more acting projects soon. “I can only hope so and pray kasi ako naman lumalaban naman ako lagi and this is a new chapter of my life. Sabi ko nga after nong Miss Unvierse sobrang excited ako to learn more kasi kung tutuusin sobrang baguhan ako dito. Kung dati sobrang baguhan ako sa pageant, ito baby pa, kailangan kong i-hone. Ito na naman ang challenge ko, ngayon dapat matutunan ko kung paano ba, na mag-stay ka diyan na dapat magaling kang umarte.”

MJ relayed that numerous actors that she met previously gave her some acting tips. She said that she will be working hard to hone her acting skills.'Pag may na-encounter akong artista ang babait nila at nagsha-share din sila ng mga style at kung paano ba sila umarte at kung paano ba nila na-embrace ‘yung character basta this will open doors for me kasi ako basta trabaho, magtatrabaho naman ako ng maigi. ‘Yun lang ‘yung goal ko ngayon na mag-continue ‘yung work kasi tapos na nga ‘yung pagiging beauty queen so I am looking for another job opportunities for me so if doors will open, why not? I’m really willing to learn,” she said.

Between hosting and acting, MJ said that she wants to explore acting more this time since she already experienced many hosting stints in the past. “Well hosting I’ve been doing it, hindi naman talaga ako pro but may experience na rin ako sa hosting ever since na nag-beauty queen ako kasi on the side raket-raket na rin namin so hosting will always be in my heart but acting is something new, ‘yung nag MMK shoot kami sabi ko ‘Direk ganito pala, grabe ang dami kong natututunan at naa-amaze ako so mas gusto ko pang i-explore,’” she stated.