Bea Rose says swimsuit round removal can favor Katrina Johnson

“The very first time last year, I told her to eat so that she has energy to do all the events,” Santiago shared, recalling the advice she gave Johnson. “Because you will lose a lot of weight even if you’re eating. But you always have to sustain the energy throughout the day because maaga ang call time, late ang tapusan.”

With early call times, late finishes, extensive walking, and constant opportunities to meet people, Santiago stressed the importance of maintaining one’s energy throughout the competition.

Staying prepared and organized

Organization is another lesson she hopes Johnson will carry with her to Tokyo.

“I was very, very organized that I didn’t leave any crumbs for any kind of problems,” she said, explaining how she prepared multiple outfit options each morning in case another candidate wore something similar. She also made sure her luggage was always locked and that backup options were readily available.

For Santiago, having everything in order provided more than peace of mind. It gave her more time to focus on the mental preparation and strategic thinking that are equally important in a pageant.

“That only gave me more time to do more mental programming and strategy thinking, which is very important when you’re doing pageants,” she added.

A new pageant advantage

This year’s Miss International will not feature a swimsuit competition, a change Santiago sees as both an advantage and a disadvantage for contestants who have invested considerable time in preparing their physiques.

However, she believes Johnson is well-positioned to benefit from the revised format.

“I think it’s an advantage,” Santiago said, noting that while contestants previously worked hard to achieve the body type associated with the competition, Johnson already possesses a naturally beautiful and “feminine” figure.

Santiago recalled how she deliberately worked toward what she understood to be the ideal Miss International physique during her own reign, describing it as “feminine,” neither too bulky nor too skinny.

Johnson, she believes, can now focus her attention on other aspects of the competition without worrying as much about that particular requirement.

Santiago also praised the Filipina’s evening gown, saying it complements her feminine figure and projects the elegance expected of a Miss International representative.

For the former titleholder, that quality is central to the Philippines’ longstanding strength in the competition.

“I was asked before, bakit palaging nananalo ang Miss Philippines? And I says because we’re naturally charming,” Santiago recalled.

She added that Johnson appears well-suited to the competition, not simply because of her physical attributes but also because of the overall presence she can bring to the international stage.

Beyond physical beauty

Santiago also pushed back against the idea that Miss International winners must fit a single physical mold, including familiar comparisons to dolls or Barbie-like beauty.

For her, a candidate’s success is not determined by skin tone, body size, or a particular makeup style. Rather, it comes down to the energy, character, and qualities she brings to the competition.

“It’s really the aura. It’s the energy of the woman,” Santiago said.

She pointed to the diversity of past winners as a reminder that there is no single formula for claiming the crown. While the competition has its own standards of elegance, she believes a candidate’s individuality and ability to represent her country are just as important as her appearance.

Santiago also highlighted the importance of a contestant’s background and conduct, explaining that Miss International considers more than what audiences see onstage.

“Whatever you bring to the table on that coronation night, they will respect that,” she said, emphasizing the importance of a candidate’s background and how effectively she presents herself as an ambassador.

Her advice serves as a reminder to Johnson that competing internationally requires a complete package: physical presentation, preparation, confidence, and the ability to represent the Philippines with grace.

Johnson will seek the Philippines’ seventh Miss International title when the pageant takes place on November 25 in Tokyo, Japan.

She hopes to follow in the footsteps of the country’s six winners: Gemma Cruz in 1964, Aurora Pijuan in 1970, Melanie Marquez in 1979, Precious Lara Quigaman in 2005, Bea Rose Santiago in 2013, and Kylie Verzosa in 2016.

Last year’s Philippine representative, Myrna Esguerra, finished as fourth runner-up.