Katarina Rodriguez shares Marawi advocacy for Miss World 2018

MANILA, Philippines — Miss World Philippines 2018 Katarina Rodriguez continues her advocacy to help Marawi through her Project Become, as shown in a “Beauty with a Purpose” video posted online. 

In a video posted on the Miss World Philippines Facebook page, Katarina can be seen visiting the city’s ground zero and interacting with the war’s survivors, students and soldiers.  

Katarina’s Project Become aims to build schools in the war-torn city, to invest in educators, and to provide instruction materials for the children.

“Project Become invests in the future of Marawi by investing in its children. It believes that a dream makes people love life even if it can be painful. It believes in the children of Marawi, the future peace heroes by investing in peace education to help Marawi rise up again,” Katarina wrote.

 

 

 

 

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There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That will then be the beginning. (Marawi, October 2018.) Shot by @caffreycameron

A post shared by Katarina (@katarinarodri) on Nov 26, 2018 at 7:47pm PST

Katarina also said in the post that for the last 26 years of her life, she has been looking for her purpose because she felt like she is still lacking something, even though she has achieved so much in her career as a model, athlete and beauty queen.

 

 

 

 

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Back in Early August I was in Siargao discussing with @chichimonster what I felt my purpose was in the world, talking on a deeper level about #MissWorld2018 & my BWAP project. He helped me brainstorm-considering my peace advocacy in 2017 and what really hits my heart. I was very keen on bringing Archie over to Marawi to create a mural in Camp Bagong Amai Pakpak Elementary School. I knew him and @summer_skin would be moved by the city, it’s story & the Maranao people. Being able to unite these two influential artists from another island to the #teachpeacebuildpeacemovement is only the start of shedding light on Marawi City AND color to all the black & white. ???? . . . . The first two photos were taken from my iPhone on ground zero. The second photo WAS an elementary school. The third and fourth photos were also taken with my iPhone of the mural Chi created for the students at CBAPE- a school which was donated by GMA’S Kapuso Foundation.

A post shared by Katarina (@katarinarodri) on Nov 27, 2018 at 12:15am PST

“I desired for a bigger platform, one where I can reach a lot of people. From being a model, I became a beauty queen. From being a beauty queen, I became an advocate, an advocate for peace,” she said. 

She continued her post by saying she “felt the hate that permeated through the walls” when she visited Marawi. 

 

 

 

 

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Ground Zero, also known as, Most Affected Area, October 2018. We all stood at the top of the hill staring over 250 hectares in deafening silence. I swear I could hear us all thinking the same things, this city, once so beautifully a home to thousands of families is now surfaced with painful memories. We didn’t need to picture our lives getting interrupted by war because the real thing was right in front of our unblinking eyes. What we felt in this moment will never ever measure up to what those 74,000 displaced families feel. I still cannot stop thinking about having my home taken away from me forever just because my beliefs are not the same as someone else’s. What if all you knew to be good, tangible & metaphysical, was destroyed?

A post shared by Katarina (@katarinarodri) on Nov 26, 2018 at 9:36pm PST

“It was disheartening to see blood spilled from both forces - the government and the terrorists. My heart hurt because I was walking through a place where hundreds lost their lives,” she shared.

“The silence is deafening but when I finally heard the voice of the survivors, I felt their hope. From their eyes, I saw strength. This is not just the indomitable Filipino spirit but the very core of our humanity. To everyone supporting my #ProjectBecome, thank you. This means the world for me and the children of Marawi,” she added.

 

 

 

 

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A still from my Beauty With A Purpose Video for #MissWorld2018 ???? You can view the extended video on my IGTV to learn more about the @teachpeacebuildpeacemovement ?????

A post shared by Katarina (@katarinarodri) on Nov 28, 2018 at 5:21am PST

 

 

 

 

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The way to any five year old’s heart: @jollibee chicken joy & videos of your dog. Oh the simple pleasures in life! ????

A post shared by Katarina (@katarinarodri) on Nov 28, 2018 at 6:21am PST

 

 

 

 

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My heart had never been so full until the moment I saw the dove mural that @chichimonster & @summer_skin had created on one of the main walls at CBAPE. Doves are symbols of Peace. ???? And the students at CBAPE now have a visual reminder of all the things they learn through the @teachpeacebuildpeacemovement ???????? I got crazy emotional seeing the finished work because this was my first time to coordinate a project so big. I was nervous the entire time & almost frantic that my vision would not resonate with the teachers, the students & even the team behind it all. But once I spoke to Chi, I put all my faith in him to create something that would connect to the students. ???? Art has always been such a significant part of the Maranao culture & with the rebuilding of Marawi one of our missions is to see through that art will continue to be a focused channel of expression and culture for them. ?? . . Here I’m with one of the kinder girls, doing our little ‘apir’ peace sign I taught them on my first trip. I really can’t wait to see them again. ????????

A post shared by Katarina (@katarinarodri) on Nov 28, 2018 at 2:58am PST