A queen with a beautiful ministry

MANILA, Philippines - For some, it’s the spotlight and the crowd cheers. For others, it’s the international exposure. But for Miss Philippines Earth 2016 Imelda Bautista Schweighart (photo), the best part of being a beauty title holder is the opportunity to minister.

“The best thing is when I hold the microphone in the big stage and God’s spirit helps me declare what needs to happen in the world. It’s the power of the Highest Being that takes over so that I can become an inspiration. That is my favorite. The power of making people follow spiritually the walk of God’s through His gift that He has allowed to be known through me,” reflects Imelda, who was born to a Filipina mother and a German father.

When Imelda was four years old, she stayed in Switzerland with her family and studied there for two and a half years. Her stepdad, Hans Bryner, knew she was a good singer and dancer because she danced ballet then. The little girl used to say that she would be as famous as Britney Spears while watching her concert tour on VHS, which her stepdad and mom bought along with J.Lo CDs.

“I didn’t know how but I knew it will happen,” adds Imelda. When she was six, she danced to Beyoncé’s music and told herself, “Wow, I’m better than her!”

Besides her family, nobody noticed her much in Switzerland, so when she came back to the Philippines, she experienced being pressured.

“In the Philippines, school and culture are more conservative so I was always held back by the people around me. People were recruiting me at seven when I was walking in a theme park with my mom and little brother. All of a sudden, I became an artist-host at 15. I have been making my way through to be a pop star internationally but I still am figuring it out,” confesses Imelda.

She was crowned Miss Silka Philippines in 2010, played co-host in Wil Time Big Time on TV5 in 2011, played roles in Bagets, Just Got Lucky and PS I Love You, starred in two Maynila episodes in 2012 and 2013, and became a TV commercial model before becoming second runner-up in the Bb. Pilipinas pageant in 2013.

The 21-year-old Theatre Arts student also won Bb. Pilipinas Miss Pagcor 2013, Mutya ng Palawan 2015 first runner-up and Miss Puerto Prinsesa 2016 before being crowned Miss Philippines Earth 2016.

Imelda keeps the stress away through massage and meditation. When things get crazy, she goes home to Puerto Princesa, back to her simple life, talks with her cousins and has the best time with nature and friends.

What keeps Imelda inspired is her family. She is happy that they are in harmony and at peace with each other. Her only regret in life is when she quit trying because she listened to the negative people in her circle then.

“I continue to please them because I want to make them love me. I listen to the people who didn’t appreciate me more than the people who respect and love me. But now, all is fine,” shares Imelda, believing that she can be anything if she puts her mind to it. 

For now, she is taking things easy, saying that soon, the physical appearance wouldn’t matter and everything would be what it should be.