- 6 minutes ago
What does it mean to carry your country’s name on the international pageant stage?
Join us live on Beyond the Headlines as we sit down with Isabela Fernandez of Brazil, Miss Asia Pacific International, and Selena Ali of Belgium, Miss Asia Pacific International 2nd Runner-Up.
Get to know the women behind the crowns as they talk about their pageant journeys, experiences, cultural backgrounds, and the purpose they hope to bring to the international stage.
Catch their stories, insights, and experiences as they take part in the Miss Asia Pacific International journey.
Watch us live and hear more from these international pageant queens.
Look Deeper. Think Better.
Join us live on Beyond the Headlines as we sit down with Isabela Fernandez of Brazil, Miss Asia Pacific International, and Selena Ali of Belgium, Miss Asia Pacific International 2nd Runner-Up.
Get to know the women behind the crowns as they talk about their pageant journeys, experiences, cultural backgrounds, and the purpose they hope to bring to the international stage.
Catch their stories, insights, and experiences as they take part in the Miss Asia Pacific International journey.
Watch us live and hear more from these international pageant queens.
Look Deeper. Think Better.
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NewsTranscript
01:30Then comes the milk, steamed smooth, creamy, and balanced.
01:35The perfect latte is not brushed.
01:38It is crafted one cup at a time.
01:42Your perfect latte is ready.
01:44Coffee first, then everything else.
01:48Good afternoon and welcome to Beyond the Headlines.
01:51I'm DJ Moises and today's conversation is brought to us by Coffee First.
01:56Today, we're taking you into the world of Miss Asia Pacific International.
02:01A celebration not only of beauty, but of culture, confidence, friendship, and representing a country on an international stage.
02:09Let's look deeper and think better.
02:13Joining us are two queens who know that journey from diverse perspectives.
02:18From Brazil, we have Isabela Fernandez, Miss Asia Pacific International 2025.
02:25And from Belgium, we have Selena Ali, Miss Asia Pacific International 2024 second runner-up.
02:32So, Isabela and Selena, welcome to Beyond the Headlines.
02:36Thank you so much.
02:38I'm still starstruck.
02:41We too.
02:43Anyway, so let's get into it because I know that a lot of our viewers are also looking forward to
02:50this conversation.
02:51So, we start with you, Isabela.
02:53So, in 2025, so that's last year, you came to Cebu and then there was an earthquake.
03:00There was a change in venue.
03:02And then you were crowned as Miss Asia Pacific International.
03:06And then you went back home.
03:08So, how did that experience, how was that experience for you?
03:13Thank you for the question.
03:15Hello, everyone.
03:16I'm very proud to be here.
03:19And, of course, last year was a year for never forget because in Brazil, we don't have natural disasters.
03:28And it was my first experience with an earthquake.
03:34And, of course, during the earthquake, I think I was shocked at first because I'm looking up and I'm afraid
03:53for something fall in my head.
03:56Everybody was, yes, and I think I'm the last one to get off stage.
04:04Yes, get off stage.
04:06I saw the photo of that.
04:07Yes.
04:07So, it was you.
04:08Continue.
04:08Continue.
04:09Continue.
04:09Yes.
04:10And, of course, after that, we had the opportunity to help each other, help Filipino people also.
04:21And then I was crowned.
04:25So, it was really like a varied, colorful experience for you.
04:33Yes, it was an amazing experience, of course.
04:38But I couldn't imagine.
04:43All the time I thought, okay, I'm very happy to be here, representing my country.
04:49And when they called the top five, I thought, oh, my God, I'm top five.
04:56But, of course, being a winner was amazing in my life, in my profession, also in Brazil and outside.
05:08And for you, Selena, during that time, you were also there not only as the winner of the previous year,
05:20but you were also there to support the ladies.
05:23So, how was it supporting and being part of Miss Asia Pacific International in 2025, but no longer competing, but
05:32as somebody who is backstage?
05:35It was a very different experience because you can see, like, the other side, you know, you're the support, but
05:42you're not stressing.
05:43So, you have the glam and the events and the photo shoots, but, like, the stress, it's not there.
05:48So, it's like just enjoying and getting to know the girls and getting closer to the organization.
05:53And it's just a wonderful time.
05:55I also was there with the earthquake.
05:56So, it was like the experience for both of us that was a bit shocking.
06:00But the things we did after, like, helping the people, providing food and things that they needed because they lost
06:08their houses, that was, I think, the most beautiful thing that came after the earthquake.
06:13And that's something that touched us all, that we can be close with the people.
06:17And we're also grateful for you and the rest of the delegates that year.
06:25And like you said, for all of us also, it's not an incident that we look forward to, but we're
06:32also glad and grateful because it also brought out the best in everyone.
06:38Yes.
06:38So, now, for both of you, because you're very visible and people admire you for good reasons, and, of course,
06:45everybody's also convinced that you're good on the inside, but great on the outside.
06:50But is there something about you that's human that not many people see when they look at your profiles?
07:04Yeah, here in Miss Asia Pacific, I had the opportunity to share a little bit about me, about Isabella, and
07:15know about Miss Brazil.
07:17And now, after that, after Miss Asia Pacific 2025, I received a lot of care and messages from my last
07:35friends from last year.
07:37And she said, oh, Bella, you are so cute, so funny, so, so you, you know, and, of course, I
07:48try to do my best all the time and show a little bit for me as a girl, as a...
08:03Sorry, when you, when you can't see, I learn English, so...
08:09But she's very good in English now.
08:11Thank you so much.
08:12Yeah, but I think you understand me.
08:15Yes.
08:17Yes.
08:18You want to have a secret that makes me human?
08:21Yes.
08:22Like, I teach sports back in Belgium, like, reformer Pilates and fitness group classes, and also, like, mental coaching to,
08:31like, people guide them to become the best version of themselves.
08:35But for myself, like, everyone looks at us like beauty queens, and in bikini, the body looks nice.
08:41But I love to eat cookies and desserts, and we got, like...
08:45Oh, yes, she knows.
08:47We got the gifts from the girls, because all the competitors, they bring, like, gifts from their country, and there
08:52was chocolate and cookies.
08:54And I was opening everything that I got immediately.
08:58She opened all.
08:59I was, like, in the corner, like this, and the girls started filming me, and they were all laughing.
09:04But that's, like, that's the normal human part.
09:07We train, but we also enjoy life.
09:10We enjoy to be, like, just natural, also without the makeup when we get up.
09:15Like, we're not always full glam.
09:17I think that's the beauty that you can do both.
09:19When we visit the people, then we're, like, in jeans, we were, like, less glam so that we can sympathize
09:27with everyone.
09:28We can do both.
09:29Yes, and it's very interesting, because Miss Asia Passive can give us the opportunity to know more each other.
09:38So, example, now I'm here as a reigning queen, but Selena is still with me.
09:49We are sharing the room, and we can meet a little bit more each other, and we can see inside.
10:00Yes.
10:00Yes.
10:01And my follow question is, what did you realize about Selena now that you're traveling and being together in the
10:13course of your reign?
10:14What did you discover about Selena that you did not know before when she was here in 2025?
10:21Selena eats so much sugar.
10:24Ah, okay.
10:25I love Selena.
10:28Selena is my roomie, but Selena loves candies, chocolates.
10:37But Selena is an amazing friend.
10:43We are enjoying a lot, and yeah, I think it's about it, because when we are in the front of
10:54the cameras and the other candidates, we show only one side.
11:02Yes, but Selena, it's so funny, every time she makes me laugh a lot, love, yes, yes, and yeah, I
11:14think it's this.
11:15And what about you, Selena?
11:17What did you discover also with Bella?
11:21Now we're in that nickname basis.
11:23She's good with diet, so I cannot gossip about that.
11:27I will give all my chocolates for her.
11:30She said she would, but she did not yet.
11:35She's really sweet because I've been the reigning queen when she was participating, so I didn't really connect because we
11:41were a bit separate.
11:42And now, I think we connected very quickly.
11:46That's why we were all so like, can we sleep together?
11:50The connection is there, and I think she's really gorgeous, but that's something that everyone can see.
11:55But she's also gorgeous from the inside.
11:57She's very kind.
11:58We're helping each other, lending each other our stuff.
12:00And it's like, I really know that after the competition, I will visit her in Brazil.
12:07Yeah, of course.
12:08And speaking of Brazil and also Belgium, while among the things that we eventually discover when we meet other people
12:17from different nationalities, that there are a lot of commonalities now that we see.
12:23But this time, we will talk more about uniqueness.
12:26So, when you were here in the Philippines the first time, so this was 2025, what were the things that
12:34you discovered about the country that you shared when you came back to Brazil?
12:41Of course, about how Filipino people are kind and lovely.
12:54And, of course, about the food.
12:59And when I came to Brazil, I told for all my family and friends, Filipino people as like Brazilian from
13:15Asia.
13:15Because we are the same, you know, we are lovely or loving?
13:26Loving.
13:27I think so.
13:29Loving.
13:30And the Filipino people was amazing.
13:32And, of course, I share it with my family and friends in Brazil.
13:39And what about you, Serena?
13:41What did you discover about the Philippines when you were here the first time that you also shared to people
13:48in Belgium?
13:49I think I totally agree.
13:51Because that's the first thing that I would say as well.
13:54The people in Europe were more like to ourselves, a bit more private.
13:58And here, when I got off the plane the first day, someone just picked my suitcase.
14:04They helped, but it was a total stranger.
14:06That's something that they would never do when I get home because I came home with the same big suitcase.
14:10And I was struggling and nobody helped me.
14:13And I was like, oh, I already missed the Philippines.
14:15You're just so kind.
14:17And, like, my makeup artist yesterday, they said, like, we always are happy and we see the good, even if
14:24it's bad.
14:24And that's, like, something that I told to people back home, like, how happy that you are.
14:31You don't need much.
14:32And also, like, pageantry here, I feel like a celebrity and everyone is so nice.
14:37And back home, it's not as big as here.
14:40So, it's, like, really nice to be here and then to be welcomed by everyone like this.
14:46So, before both of you are now wearing your crowns, you were also once little girls, just like all women
14:55who are watching.
14:56So, tell us back.
14:58So, I think we'll start with you, Selena.
14:59Tell us back on the little girl, Selena, that you were.
15:04So, what were you like growing up?
15:06I actually was a little bit like a boy.
15:09I like to play, like, with the boys, like, more like…
15:15Boyish.
15:15Boyish games, a bit roughish, not like the princess kind of thing.
15:21So, now it's the opposite, actually, because I started, like, evolving into a young lady, got more Shakur.
15:27And then, my first pageant, I was, like, very young and I had no experience, no makeup experience, nothing.
15:34So, of course, like, I didn't place really high, but that's something, a message that I think everyone needs to
15:42know.
15:42Like, if it doesn't work out the first time, you try a second time, you go dirt, and you keep
15:48on learning from every experience, you keep on growing, and then, in the end, you sit here with a crown.
15:53So, if you have a dream, then you just push through it, and even if you think you don't fit
15:59in it, but it's still your dream, then you try to find ways to create yourself to be the best
16:05version.
16:06But still stay true to yourself, because I think that's the most important thing.
16:09I am very girlish now, but I still like to be, like, so crazy, a little bit, like, dancey, because
16:16I'm a dance teacher.
16:17So, this little girl with the boyish kind of side is also still there, and I will never change that
16:25inside of myself.
16:26And I hope that little girls were able to capture, particularly the part about becoming a better version to be
16:33able to achieve the goal that you have for yourself.
16:36What about the little Bella, that we probably do not know yet?
16:41Yes, I always was a princess from my family, and they always trust me more than me.
16:55So, I want to say for my small Bella, trust in yourself more.
17:06Believe all you want, it's possible, because I never thought about representing my country in other side of the world.
17:21Yes.
17:21Yes, and it's my advice for myself and for the other girls, believe in yourself, trust more in yourself, because
17:34you can do it all that you want, that you dream, and enjoy all the small and bigger moments.
17:44And the question is still for both of you, and we can start with you.
17:48When did you first realize that pageantry could be part of your life?
17:54Of course, I want to buy a house in Brazil, and I think Miss Asia Pacific helped me because I
18:09won last year, and you know, we have a gift.
18:16It's gift. It's gift. Yes. And yeah, last year, I have opportunity to realize a lot of dreams like work
18:27as a model outside my state in Brazil, and also represent Miss Asia Pacific outside my country.
18:37And now, before a crown, a new Miss Asia Pacific, I want to come back to Brazil and build in
18:48a new life.
18:50And then for you, Selina, the boyish young lady, when did you first realize that pageantry can be part of
19:00my life?
19:01I think when I was on stage in a gown, and you hear the music, it's like the music, very
19:08touchy music that gives you goosebumps.
19:11And you walk on there, there was a moment that I was like, okay, I feel alive. I feel like
19:16this is my place. I was shining.
19:17Like, even people who knew me before, it's like, maybe a bit shy at first, they were like, who is
19:23she? Wow, you're like, shining and blossoming.
19:27And then I was like, okay, this is what I want to do. This is where I'm like, fully reaching,
19:32like, who I want to be, my potential.
19:35And then after I did the other competitions, so I was like, yeah, the catwalk stage, that's the place where
19:42it all fell into the right puzzle.
19:45And for Bella, when you traveled to the Philippines in 2025, did you have an idea or confidence or hope?
19:57Now hope, let's remove hope.
19:58But did you have an inkling that you could actually win this?
20:05Honestly, I don't think so. When I arrived here last year, I look around and thought, oh my God, the
20:18girls are very professional.
20:21The girls are amazing. But I said, my family trusts me more than me. And they said, you can, you
20:33can do it. Do your best, show who is yourself.
20:38And then when I leave in the confinement and do our passarela and the catwalk, of course, I do my
20:51best.
20:52And I felt so stunning on the stage. And in this time, I thought, okay, I can do it. And
21:05maybe I can be a reigning.
21:09Green.
21:10Yes.
21:10And for Selena, because you have also been supporting the ladies after you won your crown also, how do you
21:21think is a good balance between being goal-oriented and that is wanting the crown and at the same time
21:29enjoying the process?
21:31I think the balance is like, it's really hard to find because some girls you see, they're only focused. And
21:38then I think at the end when it's over, they're like, oh, it happened so fast and I didn't like
21:44make connections or enjoy.
21:45But that's what they told me, like, enjoy every second. It's a once in a lifetime experience. And maybe you
21:52will never travel again here.
21:53So enjoy when you look outside, put down the phone a little and just watch outside, even if you're running
22:01with the bus and experience the Philippines and make the friendships.
22:06Because in the end, there's only five going away with the crown, but you can go away with friendships for
22:13life.
22:13And then you have a place to travel all around the world if you make friends there.
22:17So that was my advice as well during the competition to the girls, like, you will all be winners from
22:24this experience. And I think that's the beauty of the competition.
22:28Actually, when you were saying that, it's also like an aha moment for me because you were right. There are
22:37like a number of contestants, but not all of them could actually win.
22:42So that's the goal, of course. But if you miss the experience, then you lose it forever. So that's the
22:49point of actually enjoying it.
22:52Now for, for still with Selena, because and then I'm now going to go into your backgrounds.
22:57You have a background in applied psychology that you built a life beyond pageantry.
23:06So what got you into it also? And how is it helping you now that you are more visible?
23:13It is helping me to use my voice.
23:18I think because of the background I have, I'm good at the conversations with the girls.
23:23Like if they happen to have struggles or problems, then I'm more than capable to like guide them through it,
23:32to motivate them.
23:34Back home, I also coach people mentally.
23:37And that's one thing that I can keep on doing every day.
23:41I also worked before in my own boutique and people came there with problems with their body.
23:47They didn't feel good in their body.
23:49And then I had to like give them compliments, talk them through it.
23:53And then they came back the other day with their friend.
23:55Like, can you please help her too? Because she's not feeling confident.
23:58So I think the whole thing fits because some girls also here, they look at other girls and they are
24:04like, oh, she's more beautiful than I am.
24:07And then they're like, I cannot win.
24:09So yeah, the confidence boost is something that I'm easy to give them because of the background that I have.
24:15And in your case, because if I gathered it starting into the journey, you did not have an idea just
24:24yet that you could actually win this.
24:27But I think it's also important for young girls also to be able to have that certain belief in themselves.
24:39So now that you have actually won the crown and that also elevated your belief in yourself,
24:46what would you be telling the young girls who are watching who are yet to believe in themselves that they
24:52can actually do this?
24:55Yeah, I think it's the I think it's the same.
25:04I'm last year.
25:06My English was terrible.
25:08Now continue is still terrible, but a little bit better.
25:15And last year I I I had afraid I'm nervous with the our interview, but the same way I I
25:29I could show I could show more than me.
25:34So in this case, I I can say show all that you can for the other girls and for for
25:45the people around you.
25:47And yeah, I I think it's my advisor.
25:51Yeah, and and and I don't know if somebody already told you this, although this is more Tagalog rather than
25:58Sabuano.
25:58But we do have a phrase whenever we see celebrities like how to be you, Paul.
26:03You've heard about that.
26:05Yeah.
26:05Yeah.
26:06OK.
26:06What's your normal response when when somebody asks you that, that how can I be you?
26:11You, not me, no, no, explain, explain, please.
26:19OK, OK.
26:19Yes.
26:20OK, OK, OK.
26:22So normally when there are girls who are also celebrities and then there are young girls or even not even
26:28necessarily young girls, but when they look at you or both of you or you, they have their also their
26:35desire to say, I wish to be like Bella.
26:38OK, OK, and then when they tell you, Bella, I want to be like you, what's your response to them
26:44normally?
26:46Oh, be yourself.
26:50Yeah.
26:52When they they said, I want to I want to be as a Bella.
26:59Yes.
27:01Yeah.
27:02I think it's this be yourself, trust in yourself.
27:07Yes.
27:07Because I think I think what you're trying to say, no, I think what you're trying to say is, while
27:14it's good to admire people or to look up to people, but at the end of the day, it's being
27:20authentic to who we are.
27:22Yes.
27:23That gets us to whatever dreams we have.
27:25Yes.
27:25I'm a good translator.
27:26Oh, thank you so much.
27:28I understand Portuguese now.
27:32A good translator.
27:35You can read my mind.
27:39And for you, Selina, now that you are looking at the pageantry or Miss Asia Pacific International from a different
27:53perspective.
27:55Do you also still remember the Selina who was competing when you look at the contestants now?
28:04Yes, I still remember.
28:06And we're actually joking with it because we did the photo shoot and we were wearing like the same as
28:12the contestants.
28:13And I said like, oh, I want to do again.
28:17I want to compete again with them.
28:18Maybe we should invent like a country because now there's another like country, another Brazil, another Belgium.
28:24So I was like, maybe I should be Miss.
28:27And then I invented the country and I will participate again.
28:30Surprise.
28:31But no, I'm like happy to support them.
28:34But it was nice to be included in the photo shoots and feel just like them again for a while.
28:41But is there something that, just in case, you would compete this year, is there something that you would do
28:49differently?
28:50It's like a version of you that, oh, I should have done this and I will do this this year.
28:57I think we can all think like we would have done things differently.
29:02But in the end, I performed like I performed.
29:04And I'm grateful for the things that I had, my national director, the team that was behind me.
29:12And I was like very strict on myself after the finals because I, my final answer, like five seconds after
29:22you give it, you're like, oh, I could have said this.
29:24I could have said that.
29:25But in the end, you said what you said and you have to just stand strong with what you said.
29:30And I would do the same because I'm proud of what I did.
29:34And for you, Bella, what do you hope for, for Filipinos or for people in Cebu to better understand about
29:46Brazil?
29:50I think Filipino people needs to know we are similar, we are similar people, warm people, kind people.
30:06And we have also amazing food and you need to try Brazilian food.
30:14And of course, I love Filipino food also.
30:19And I think it's this.
30:21And what about you, Selena?
30:23What do you want Filipinos to better understand about Belgium?
30:29I would all invite you to visit Belgium once.
30:33No, I wasn't there once.
30:34You really were the chicken.
30:36Brussels.
30:37So I was there for work.
30:40So I did not have a chance.
30:41You did not really visit.
30:42It's everyone who says we've been to Brussels, to the little statue who is pink.
30:48I had a picture there.
30:51Yes, yes, yes.
30:51Then I always answer like, did you come to Antwerp?
30:54Because I'm from Antwerp and we're like very proud of being from Antwerp.
30:58So if you come to Antwerp, that's even a better part.
31:02And I will be your guide and give you chocolates because we have the best chocolates and waffles.
31:09So yeah, to understand us a bit more, I think we're like all Europe people.
31:18I think it's all for Europe.
31:19We all like to go to a restaurant and enjoy our food.
31:22And then coming here, it's like amazing because the food here is amazing.
31:27So that's a good match for us.
31:29And this one, I'm also curious because both of you have represented your country.
31:37Belgium and then letter B and also Brazil.
31:41But you are one person actually representing a country.
31:47But you're just one person.
31:49How does that mean to you?
31:52I'm one Brazilian, but I'm actually representing the entire Brazil.
31:58Yes, we need to be responsible with our sash.
32:03Because we represent not only a person, but we represent our culture.
32:13We represent our people, our women.
32:19And of course, we need to be responsible and careful with what we can say, what we can do.
32:31Yes?
32:33And what about for you, Selina?
32:36Yeah, if you say it like that, then it sounds indeed very big.
32:40I didn't think about it in that way.
32:43What I did was, for Belgium, we never got like high placements in like big international competitions,
32:51such as Miss Asia Pacific International.
32:53And for Belgium to place top five, that's very special.
32:57So I think that's, I was proud to bring that home and to be like one of the first to
33:03place.
33:06So much as I'm enjoying so much this conversation, but I was, I also learned that you need to have
33:13the schedule.
33:13Correct, yes.
33:15So, but before I let you go, or before we let you go, what are the activities that people who
33:20are watching could potentially get themselves engaged in the entire journey of this time, Miss Asia Pacific International 2026?
33:32How can people engage in your events?
33:35Oh, we have our Miss Asia Pacific official page.
33:40We have also an official page from Instagram and we have an amazing schedule.
33:51And of course, the girls will meet, will enjoy the provincial tour also, but you can say more about our
34:00schedule.
34:00We have a session ceremony tonight and tomorrow press presentation.
34:06Our whole group has been followed with social media teams.
34:10So everyone can watch it live on the pages of the social media and also Miss Asia Pacific International.
34:16And then if they want, they can vote for their favorite candidates.
34:20And during the Grand Coronation Night, the show will be live on the Facebook page of Miss Asia Pacific International.
34:29And then people can comment what they like, like their favorite, cheer for them and make promotion for the competition.
34:37So this is now your time to invite our friends?
34:41Yes, we want to invite you to watch our Coronation Night at October 10 at 7 p.m.
34:51And it's only by invitation, but we will share in a live stream on our Facebook page and in our
35:00Instagram.
35:02Yes, and Instagram page also, I think.
35:05It's going to be on Facebook page.
35:07Our Facebook page, yes.
35:09And I hope that we also get our invitation.
35:14And you just smiled.
35:17No, but thank you very much for making time for this interview.
35:23We understand that you truly have a packed schedule, but I'm also glad that at least both of them were
35:29able to be here in the studio for this conversation.
35:33So thank you.
35:34Thank you so much.
35:34Thank you for having us.
35:35Yes, we're also just as grateful.
35:38So a crown lasts for a year.
35:41The character, confidence, and purpose behind it can last a lifetime.
35:47So I'm DJ Moises, and today's conversation is brought to us by Coffee First.
35:51This is Beyond the Headlines.
35:53Let's continue to look deeper and think better.
35:55Have a good afternoon.
36:01It starts with a fresh shot of espresso.
36:05Bold, rich, bold, just right.
36:11Then comes the milk.
36:13Steamed smooth, creamy, and balanced.
36:16The perfect latte is not brushed.
36:19It is crafted.
36:21One cup at a time.
36:23Your perfect latte is ready.
36:25Coffee first.
36:27Then, everything else.