Mariel de Leon: Steadfast & spellbinding
MANILA, Philippines - There is no denying that Binibining Pilipinas-International 2017 Maria Angelica “Mariel” de Leon is royalty. Her beautiful heart is the crown that guides her in her everyday life; her strength is the scepter that she carries all through out.
Mariel’s road to the crown began in 2013 when her aunt Toni Abad introduced her to Aces & Queens head Jonas Gaffud to train for Binibining Pilipinas. Going into the pageant as a first-timer, Mariel, then 19, just went with the flow and enjoyed the experience. She made it to the Top 15. This experience made her embrace the woman she would become.
After four years, Mariel, armed with more maturity and self-determination and inspired by 2015 Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach, decided to join the pageant “one last time.” And so the 24-year-old clinched the coveted Binibining Pilipinas-International 2017 title.
“Being in the competition made me blossom into a woman. I also discovered that I am stronger than I actually thought I was. I am surprised by how I handle negativity now — I want to turn it into something good and learn from it,” says the 5’8” beauty, who was recently the subject of online scrutiny for voicing her opinions on social media about certain issues.
“I believe that you have to use your voice for what is right and what is true. I still stand up for my beliefs. If nobody stood up for his or her beliefs and spoke with conviction, then what else are we here for?” she points out. “My faith and my family also got me through this. They helped me a lot. And of course, when you know your self-worth, nothing can get to you.”
The daughter of respected actors Christopher de Leon and Sandy Andolong, Mariel values lessons from her parents. “My parents let me pursue whatever I wanted with my career. I learned from them to be respectful — towards people and their time — to be humble and to love what I do. From them I also learned that nothing in life is free so you have to work hard,” Mariel shares.
It is with her family and loved ones that Mariel feels safe, including in the loving arms of her and her siblings’ yayas Lilibeth Taguibao and Esai Agustin.
Mariel is an old soul who finds simple joys in watching documentaries and classic movies. As a member of classical/cross-over group The Opera Belles, Mariel, a soprano, digests music of her favorite opera singers Angela Gheorghiu, Anna Netrebko and Aida Garifullina.
Mariel pursues things that make her happy. Through this, her eloquent soul, spellbinding beauty and powerful voice are revealed. But all these are incomplete, she says, without her unflinching faith.
“I always try to stay true to myself and never let outside forces affect who I really am at my core. My relationship with God is important. I always talk to Him and thank Him that I am alive and I have this life,” she beams.
Photography by MAU AGUASIN • Creative direction by Luis Espiritu Jr. • Makeup by KLENG ONING • Hairstyling by MACKY HILARIO • Fashion styling by DIANE LASAM • Jewelry by Miladay Jewels • Royal blue off-shoulder dress by Christopher Munar and pom pom chambray dress from Two Chic Manila by TC Alvarez • Shot on location at the Presidential Suite of Conrad Manila
