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How Gabby Basiano’s Late Mom Pushed Her to Be a Beauty Queen
Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental 2022 Gabby Basiano finally fulfilled her mom’s dream to be a beauty queen.
For Gabrielle Camille “Gabby” Basiano, winning the Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental title last July 31 was the result of the hard work and tears that went behind it after placing 1st runner-up last year. It was also a culmination of her late mom Mary’s dream before passing away years back.
Pushing forward despite the grief
During an interview with Modern Parenting, Gabby recalled how she pushed herself to compete in Binibini after the death of her mom before the 2021 edition. “Ang nilagay ko sa mind ko is same as Chelsea [Fernandez, Bb. Pilipinas Globe], dream namin din siya ng mom ko.”
According to Gabby, it was her mom who would accompany her to pageant auditions. “Nung 2019, yung mom ko pinupush na ako and parang ni-ready na niya ako mag-live alone dito sa Manila because first time ako pinayagan nung 2019.”
“Pero halos araw-araw siya tumatawag na nag-reready ka na ba for Binibini? But ayon nga nung December, nawala siya. Nung time na iyon hindi pa ako desidido mag-join. Like oo sige, sasali ako pero hindi pa ako nagte-train. Kumbaga wala pa yung mind ko sa Binibini. But after the incident, sabi ko i-pupush ko na this year kasi wala na si mama ayoko na patagalin pa.”
Although her mom is no longer around to see her journey, Gabby knows she would be so happy. “Alam ko nandiyan pa din siya. So ginawa kong way of coping is keeping myself busy for me not think about the things that happened to me and aside from that, I kept in mind na dream namin.”
“This journey is not just for me but for my mom.”
Moral support from Gabby Basiano’s dad
Although initially against the idea of joining pageants, Gabby’s dad Manuelito has become one of the biggest supporters in her journey.
“Shine-share ko din ito sa ibang interviews na si Papa nag-message sa akin before the coronation night. Nag I love you siya. Parang minotivate niya ako na whatever happens, proud na ako sa iyo. Hindi madali yung ginagawa mo,” she said.
Gabby admitted she got surprised by her father’s message because she was afraid of his reaction. “Natatakot ako mag-share nung mga problems na nae-encounter ko. So nagulat ako na siguro na feel niya sa aura ko yung buong journey ko na different this year because last year petiks lang ako eh. Sobrang tahimik ko sa family ko this year dahil ayoko sila mag-worry din.”
“Hindi talaga siya vocal. So first time niya ginawa yon,” she said of her dad saying I love you. “Inasar ko pa nga siya ng ‘I love you too na wow nag I love you.'”
After the coronation night, Gabby called her dad to tell him the good news. Upon showing the crown, he showed a tarpaulin with the photos from the coronation night.
Helping others in need
With a few weeks to go before she embarks on a back-to-back journey for the Miss Intercontinental title in Egypt in October, Gabby will not just focus on her training but also bring causes into light such as mental health and grief support.
“Nung ako na ang naka-experience nung ganun situation, mas impactful pala talaga siya pag ikaw na mismo yung nakaka-experience nang ganun. Ikaw na mismo ang mag-aadvocate,” she said.
She recalled the time when she was awarded in Thailand for being an inspiration to many people, one of them who almost took his life. “Naging isa ako sa mga naka impluwensiya sa kanya to continue his life. And sobrang hindi ko pa siya in-eexpect.”
Because of the experience, Gabby Basiano has made a commitment to use her social media for good.
“Ako nga mas i-oopen ko pa yung social media accounts ko. Alam ko hindi magiging ganun kadali pero I want to start sa social media ko muna.”
She added that she wants to create a Facebook group where one can express their thoughts and others can help uplift one another just like a group she is part of.
“I want to use this platform na binigay sa amin ng Binibini to build trust sa mga tao around me for them to be able to express themselves without getting the fear of judgment.”
Check out more inspiring stories from beauty queens and mentors:
Nicole Borromeo to Family: I Can’t Thank Them Enough
Binibining Pilipinas 2022 Candidates: Family Reminders and Being an Ate
Gerry Diaz: Going Beyond Pageant Mentoring
