MANILA, Philippines – Aileen Jan Yap will represent the United States in the Miss International pageant.
The former Miss Texas has roots in the Philippines. Her father Romeo, a psychiatrist, is from Cagayan de Oro City, while mother Virginia, a nurse and owner of a personal care home, is from Balingasag, Misamis Oriental.
The family recently spent a month vacationing in the Philippines. “I loved CDO, everything was very close and I enjoyed spending time with my family there,” A.J. said, adding that she “can eat halo halo every day” and also enjoyed tapsilog and sinangag.
A.J. is a junior at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, majoring in Biology. “I’ve always wanted to be a doctor, seeing how my parents can help someone else’s life and also seeing how rewarding it is to be able to help someone in need,” she said, adding that she wants to specialize in pediatrics.
“I was one proud father to see our daughter being crowned. For the family it is a very ‘crowning moment’,” her father said.