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What Chelsea Fernandez Wants People to Learn from Her Story as a Foster Child
Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2022 Chelsea Fernandez tells Modern Parenting about being raised by a foster family, how her late foster mom played a role in her pageant journey, and how grateful she is for her pageant family.
While there are personalities that have been open about being adopted or fostered by families, the subject of adoption and fostering in the country is still sensitive. Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2022 Chelsea Fernandez is aware of this and she wants to break the taboo by sharing her story of being raised by a foster family.
Before leaving for Albania to compete in the Miss Globe pageant on October 16, Modern Parenting talked to Chelsea about her family life and how other members of the pageant community have treated her like their own.
Chelsea Fernandez: “I already knew I was different when I was a kid.”
As a child, Chelsea knew she was different from the family who took her in. “Basta nung lumalaki ako, I was really aware. They didn’t hide the fact from me. I think my foster family was really vocal about my situation.”
The beauty queen from Tacloban recalled that when she was a child, she would ask the neighbors knocking who they would look for and say the names of the family members. Nevertheless, those who took her in never made her feel different. They were always open about her situation.
Although a different family raised her, Chelsea is in contact with her mom, who is based in Jordan and working in the medical field.
“I think na-meet ko siya first time nung mga 8 years old ako. Sinuprise niya ako. Umuwi siya from Jordan sa Philippines. Pero na-meet ko na yung mga biological siblings ko [nung] bata ako. As in lumalaki din ako na parang kasama ko din sila kasama yung foster siblings ko.”
Chelsea is forever grateful to her late foster mom
Just like her fellow Binibini sister Gabby Basiano, Chelsea credits her foster mom for encouraging her to join pageants. Although her foster mom is no longer with her, Chelsea knows she would be happy to see her today.
“For sure she’ll cry. Because it is also her dream. Na manalo ako sa mga beauty pageants,” Chelsea shares. “Siya po talaga ang kasama ko sa lahat ng journey na pinagdaanan ko sa beauty pageants.”
Recalling the time when she joined and never won pageants in school, Chelsea’s late foster mom rarely showed emotion except for one instance when she already wanted to give up on her pageant career.
“Hinug niya ako. Tapos sabi niya, ‘Anak, hindi kita susukuan.’ Ito talaga yung mga words niya. Hindi kita susukuan kasi alam ko dito ka magaling.”
Grateful to her pageant family
Aside from her family, Chelsea found love and support in the pageant community as well. There’s Rodgil Flores who she considers like a second father. And there’s also the guidance of Promedia, the company under Paul Reyes and Jam Aquino, who treats her like a daughter.
“Promedia is very helpful. They are not just giving me moral support but financial support as well. That is something I really need right now because sa totoo lang magastos ang pag-papageant. Super laking tulong ng Promedia sa akin. And feeling ko kung wala sila, hindi ko makakaya yung pageant,” she said.
Having lived in Manila for quite some time, Chelsea added that it helps she has Promedia and Rodgil Flores, who is like her second family.
“Isang text ko lang, isang tawag ko lang sa Promedia family ko, nandiyan sila agad na handang tumulong. Sabi ko nga, grabe, ang laking pagpapasalamat ko sa Promedia.”
Using her platform for her causes
With the platform she now has as a beauty queen, Chelsea plans to use it for her causes including DIWA, the organization she has been working with at the height of the pandemic. Asked how she will use her influence to erase the stigma on adoption and foster families, she answers, “I think Filipino families should have an open mind and better understanding. And in a situation like this, I mean, ginusto ba ng bata na mawalan siya ng magulang?”
“Ginusto ba ng bata na hindi niya makasama ang totoo niyang magulang? Of course not. I hope someday, we will be aware of this kind of situation. And I hope that through me, people will be inspired by my story. Because my story is not just the typical story but an inspiring and incredible one.”
Check out more inspiring stories about beauty queens and families!
Binibining Pilipinas 2022 Queens Celebrate Grandparents’ Day at Araneta City
Binibining Pilipinas 2022 Candidates: Family Reminders and Being an Ate
