QUEZON CITY—As a working student pursuing a degree in Mass Communication at the University of the Philippines Cebu, Ilene De Vera had been a staunch advocate of students’ rights and welfare. And when her modeling career finally brought her to the pageant stage, she broadened her horizon and promoted the rights of single women.
Ilene De Vera is bringing a more progressive women’s agenda to the Bb. Pilipinas stage. INQUIRER photo / ARMIN P. ADINA And she found an unlikely ally as she brings to the Binibining Pilipinas stage her agenda on women’s rights—Gabriela Women’s Organization.“When I first approached them, they said they are actually ‘anti-pageant,’ but was open to informing me and educating me about the cause that I want to promote,” De Vera told the Inquirer in an intimate media gathering at Tribu Babaylan in Quezon City earlier this month.
For Ilene De Vera, the Gabriela Women’s Organization has taught her a lot about the cause she wants to highlight on the beauty pageant arena. INQUIRER photo / ARMIN P. ADINA She had already promoted women’s rights when she won the 2017 Mutya ng Pilipinas crown, and even when she joined the Miss Asia Pacific International pageant, where she finished fifth.A high school classmate, who also studied in UP Cebu, helped De Vera get in touch with Gabriela. “She was a student activist, and is now working for a women’s organization in Cebu,” the 23-year-old model said.De Vera met with Gabriela in Manila to discuss how to use pageantry to advance her cause.
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