World Class Beauty Queens Magazine would like to welcome amazing Queen Shiela DeForest Mrs. ECO Philippines 2019.
Full name: Shiela Teodoro DeForest
Title/Year: Mrs. ECO Philippines 2019
Pageant System: Mrs. ECO International
Age: 45
Zodiac sign: Virgo
Hobbies: Traveling, Singing, Sports, Cooking, Baking, Reading Books and Magazines, Volunteering
Platform: Environmental awareness especially the reduction of plastic waste, Sustainable Farming, Mental Health, Women Empowerment, Confidence building with teen girls
Years competed: 2018
Countries visited: 54 so far. USA (visit & now residence), Canada, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Czech Republic, Denmark, Netherlands, Ireland, Malta, Greece, Spain, Russia, Austria, Switzerland, Morocco, Tunisia, UAE, Qatar, Libya, Sudan, Tanzania, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Uganda, South Africa, Oman, Seychelles, Mauritius, Philippines, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, China, Sri Lanka, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Colombia, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Macao, Monaco
Likes: Learning about new cultures, trying new cuisines, meeting people, traveling, being able to make a difference no matter how small
Dislikes: Disingenuous and selfish people
Status: Married
World Class Beauty Queens: Please tell us about yourself.
I was born and raised in Pagsanjan, Laguna, Philippines. My mother is a retired educator and my father is a retired Lieutenant in the Philippine Marines. I have one sister, who lives with her family near Munich, Germany. I graduated with a Bachelors Degree majoring in Tourism from the University of the Philippines' Asian Institute of Tourism. I was able to apply my education in various sectors of the tourism industry, in hotels, sales and marketing, public relations and even the airline sector working for Emirates Airline in Dubai. I also gained experience in Press and Public Affairs when I joined the UK Embassy in Manila as a Press Officer. I'm also a model doing runway, print and tv commercials but also contribute my talent to various causes like Dress For Success, UnitedWay and Bantay Bata 163 in the Philippines. I’ve been married for 6 years now and call Colorado, USA home.
World Class Beauty Queens: What does women Empowerment means to you? I believe women empowerment is knowing and celebrating yourself, that you are a valued member of society and can contribute to the betterment of the community as a whole.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about your pageant history. I joined my first pageant only in 2018.
World Class Beauty Queens: What inspired you to do your first pageant? I realized that pageants are very powerful platforms that can help shed light on different causes.
World Class Beauty Queens: Why did you choose to compete for your current title? I chose this pageant because I believe the environment needs more people to help advocate for her. Our world is threatened with factors that are mostly brought about by the carelessness or greed of people. We need to act now and help avert possible catastrophic disasters in the near future. I hope I can do my share and help inspire environmental awareness even in small ways. We don’t need a few perfect eco warriors but we need everyone do small things each day to help our environment.
World Class Beauty Queens: To those unfamiliar with your pageant system please tell us what is it about? Mrs. ECO International is the married women division of Earth Pageants Inc. It was founded in 2016 and gives the opportunity for earth warrior queens to get together for Mother Earth.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are you being judged on during the competition? I’ve yet to compete for the title of Mrs. ECO International in June 2019 but we will be judged on several categories covering ECO video, ECO National Costume, Photogenic, Swimwear, Interview, Evening Gown and On stage question. I will wear designs by esteemed Filipino designers Edwin Uy & Jor-el Espina.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about your platform or what cause do you volunteer for. As a Mrs. ECO queen, I support World Misisons Outreach in Nicaragua and The Climate RealityProject of Vice President Al Gore. I also personally support The Haribon Foundation, Global Seeds Savers, EcoWaste Coalition and Threads of Hope Inc. located in the Philippines. I am a volunteer stylist with Denver-based Bella Boutique and Dress for Success. I also helped raise funds for mental health awareness in Vancouver, Canada.
World Class Beauty Queens: What appearances have you done with your title?
Colorado Environment Film Festival, Golden, Colorado, USA
Sibol: Filipino Student Association 3rd Annual Kamayan Feast, Denver, Colorado, USA
Bella Boutique, Denver, Colorado, USA
Women Powering Change, Denver, Colorado, USA
Global Seeds Savers, Denver, Colorado, USA & Tublay, Benguet, Philippines
The Big Lift / Colorado Uplift, Denver, Colorado, USA
National Geographic Run 2019, Manila, Philippines
DZRH Beauty and the Best TV show, Manila, Philippines
Threads of Hope Inc., Puerto Galera, Mindoro, Philippines
Philippines Hybrid Energy Systems Inc. (PHESI) Wind Power Project, Mindoro, Philippines
The Haribon Foundation Coastal Cleanup, Manila, Philippines
Earth Day Celebration, Baguio City, Philippines
Manila FAME Artisan Trade Show, Manila, Philippines
Reyna ng Aliwan, Manila, Philippines
Philippines Weaves & Weddings by Rene Salud for the Benefit of Bantay Bata 163, Manila, Philippines
Posh n Sip for the Benefit of World Missions Outreach & SOS Villages Philippines, Denver, Colorado, USA
Soles4Souls Shoe Drive, Denver, Colorado, USA
World Class Beauty Queens: What are some of your achievements? I have experienced a lot over the years and I will always treasure these memories.
United States: Mrs. South East Asia Globe 2018, Mrs. Beauty of the Americas, 3rd Runner Up Mrs. USofA Globe 2018, Mrs. Rocky Mountains Globe 2018, Denver Style Magazine Editorial model, Poshmark PoshMarket Brand Fashion Show, PoshFest Convention Speaker and Closet Consultant, Poshmark Party Live Denver Speaker, Noodles & Company Model, Hand Model for Colorado Lottery, Chili's, Rosetta Stone, BNP Paribas Indian Wells Tennis Tournament, WOW Philippines US Tour, UnitedWay #GivingTuesday campaign, Dress for Success B.I.G. Fashion Show, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Induction Ceremony Guest Speaker
Philippines: High School Class Valedictorian, University of the Philippines College Scholar, Escada Sport, Wella, L'Oreal Color Trophy model, Hugo Boss, CalCarrie Models, Contestant Supermodel Philippines, Contestant ASEAN Model Search, Fashion Designers Association of the Philippines BodyShots Modeling Competition, Buffalo Jeans, Rustan's Marketing Corporation, Marks & Spencer, Manila FAME Gala of Weaves
Singapore: Kenzo, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Diva Models, Luna Bianca Bridal Boutique formerly Graceful Image Bridals, Terranova, The New Paper, Badgley Mischka, Flora Cheung, Smint, Dress for Success International 5K Power Walk
China: HSBC Beijing Golf Open, Contestant of the Year - Mrs. Globe 2019, Top 6 finalist - Mrs. Globe 2019
Dubai: Face of Emirates Airline, IWC/Mercedes Benz Watch Launch, Cover Girl for Ilustrado Magazine (Premiere Filipino publication in the Middle East), Beijing Olympics Commemorative Fashion Show, Dubai Desert Classic Golf Tournament, Dubai World Golf Tournament
Qatar: QTel Prepaid
Germany: BMW Open Munich, Emirates Airline Berlin
Canada: Rogers Cup Tennis Tournament, Shine: No Stigma Fashion Show
World Class Beauty Queens: What is your on stage strategy to win the judges over? I will project grace, confidence and sincerity.
World Class Beauty Queens: What makes you stand out from all those other beautiful girls? Over the years, I’ve learned to love and be confident of myself. I have showed initiative to do whatever needs to be done for the advancement of the causes I support.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about the moment your name was called out as the winner. I was not expecting anything when I joined my first pageant and to hear my name called out was a moment I’ll never forget.
World Class Beauty Queens: What does it mean to you to be a Beauty Queen? Being a beauty queen made me realize that I can be a role model for girls of color and show that we can make it, through hard work and determination. It can also open doors for me and it gives me a powerful platform to lend my voice to causes or programs that otherwise go unnoticed.
World Class Beauty Queens: How did competing in pageants helped your life? In the beginning, it helped me integrate into my new country as an immigrant. Now, as Mrs. ECO Philippines, I am able to reconnect with my compatriots here in the US and continue on my advocacy work in my home country as well.
World Class Beauty Queens: How did pageants helped your selfesteem and body image? Being in pageants helped me return to a healthier lifestyle, love my own skin and see myself in a more positive light. It has also helped me conquer my fear of public speaking.
World Class Beauty Queens: You are an inspiration to all the girls out there. How does it feel? Being new to pageants, I realized that as a queen, I am someone who can inspire girls and young women to be the best versions of themselves. I can also be a source of inspiration for young women that being a woman of color is something to be embraced and celebrated. Despite an injury, I persevered and carried on my duties as a queen and showed others that despite trials you can remain strong and learn more about yourself in the process.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for learning better pageant walk? Be open to trying new things even if you’ve had modeling experience because pageant walk is slightly different than fashion modeling runway walk.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for choosing right pageant dress? When shopping for a dress, look for a flattering style for your body type, decide on a length that you can walk in unless there are specific pageant dress guidelines. The fit and cut of the dress is key and wearing the right pageant dress will surely boost your confidence.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for winning interview? Listen to the question carefully and answer calmly. Don’t forget to breathe!
World Class Beauty Queens: How did you prepare for your competition? I had a Lis Franc foot surgery last December 2018 so I only began walking again mid-February of this year. I’m still doing physical therapy and strengthening so my foot will be ready for the pageant in June. I am also continuing on my advocacy work in the US and Philippines. I am excited to collaborate with esteemed Filipino designer Edwin Uy for my eco costume.
World Class Beauty Queens: What is one mistake that you've done during competing you wish you could redo and fix it? I doubted my choice of swimwear at my first pageant which I realized later on that I should have worn my original choice.
World Class Beauty Queens: What other mistakes are made by girls during the contest? I believe some only think that winning the main crown or title is the most important part of the journey that they miss out on the joy of sisterhood and camaraderie we experience.
World Class Beauty Queens: Any modeling or acting experience? Yes, I’ve been a runway model since I was 18 years old and have appeared in a few commercials in the last few years.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your plans for 2019 as a Queen? No matter what happens in June, I will continue advocating for Mother Earth and causes I support all over the world.
World Class Beauty Queens: What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind? As a queen, I want to be remembered as someone who truly worked for the causes I believed in and lived a life of true service.
International Director: Ms. Kristin Chucci
Pageant website: https://www.msecointernational.com
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine would like to say thank you to Shiela DeForest Mrs. ECO Philippines 2019 for this amazing interview.
Shiela DeForest, Mrs ECO Philippines 2019, World Class Beauty Queens Magazine, Photography by Noah Berg / Walnut Street Photography, Denver, Colorado Interview by Derek Tokarzewski Owner/Editor in Chief Mr United Nations 2018 Platform: Women Empowerment Ambassador to International Foundation for Orphans iffocares.org
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