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Miss Asia Pacific International 2025 candidates lend a helping hand to survivors of the recent Cebu earthquake

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<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1759475217940cebu.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Miss Asia Pacific International 2025 candidates lend a helping hand to survivors of the recent Cebu earthquake. Photos from Instagram: @anitarosegomez, @elmira.wdb"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Miss Asia Pacific International 2025 candidates lend a helping hand to survivors of the recent Cebu earthquake. <em>Photos from Instagram: @anitarosegomez, @elmira.wdb</em></span></span></span>This year&#x27;s Miss Asia Pacific International candidates are trading glam for volunteerism as they focus on helping families affected by the recent massive earthquake in Cebu. </div><p>This is in line with the pageant&#x27;s <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/pageants-beauty-queens/2025/10/2/miss-asia-pacific-international-realigns-activities-to-help-cebu-quake-survivors-1319">shift in priorities</a> from fashion events to relief efforts as a result of the calamity. </p><p>Instead of wearing sparkly gowns and makeup, the delegates have been busy packing essential goods and other volunteer work, as seen in their recent social media posts.</p><p>The Philippines&#x27; <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/2025/8/27/pageant-fan-favorite-anita-gomez-all-set-for-first-international-competition-1741">Anita Gomez</a> said she is grateful for Miss Asia Pacific International for reminding beauty queens like them of their role beyond the pageant stage: &quot;to uplift, support, and heal together.&quot;</p><p>&quot;In times like this, pageantry takes a pause, and what truly matters comes to light -- our people, our safety, and our unity,&quot; she said. </p><p>&quot;With courage, compassion, and unity, we will rise together -- stronger than before,&quot; she added. </p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DPQzveVknGW/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A8925828.600000024%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="925" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>Elmira Wildeboer of Netherlands, on the other hand, found it &quot;heartbreaking to witness so many people going through this painful situation.&quot;</p><p>&quot;Together with my sisters from Miss Asia Pacific International, we are doing our best to contribute in any way we can like helping to pack food and provide support,&quot; she said. </p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-2" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DPTJVpIAWtn/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A2%2C%22os%22%3A8940111.900000095%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="737" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-2" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>Singapore&#x27;s Krisha Raj, meanwhile, said her &quot;terrifying&quot; experience of the Cebu quake made her realize what being a beauty queen is about.</p><p>&quot;Standing in the warehouse packing food for the earthquake victims, I realized something important, to be a queen is not just about the crown or the stage. It is about showing up, even when things are difficult, and finding strength in serving others,&quot; she said. </p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-4" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DPTHJwpAH0a/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A4%2C%22os%22%3A8954102.400000095%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="746" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-4" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>Merryjane Isla Alvarez of Spain, meanwhile, feels grateful to have the chance to lend a helping hand in Cebu and to the Miss Asia Pacific International organization. </p><p>&quot;From packing food supplies to preparing drinking water, every small action reminded me how powerful unity and compassion can be,&quot; she said. </p><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-6" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DPTTe8QkmTg/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A6%2C%22os%22%3A8967458.700000048%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="550" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-6" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>Aside from focusing on helping survivors of the Cebu earthquake, Miss Asia Pacific International has also canceled its preliminary competition this Friday, October 3, &quot;out of respect for those affected at this time.&quot;</p><p>&quot;We believe it would not be appropriate to hold a celebratory event at this time, as our focus must be on compassion, safety, and solidarity,&quot; it said.</p>

<p>This year's Miss Asia Pacific International candidates are trading glam for volunteerism as they focus on helping families affected by the recent massive earthquake in Cebu.</p>

This year's Miss Asia Pacific International candidates are trading glam for volunteerism as they focus on helping families affected by the recent massive earthquake in Cebu.

Miss Asia Pacific International candidates show solidarity with Cebu quake survivors

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Miss Asia Pacific International candidates show solidarity with Cebu quake survivors

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Published October 03, 2025 03:13 PM PHT

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