MANILA – Bea Patricia “Patch” Magtanong focused on women empowerment in her speech during the Miss International 2019 pageant on Tuesday.

She and her fellow Top 8 finalists were asked to present a speech on why they should be the next Miss International winner.

The Philippine representative began by noting that she grew up being subjected to “different standards as other boys my age,” which she began to question and challenge as a lawyer.

She went on to stress that women should be able to live without fear of harassment and be allowed to realize their full potential.

Read her full speech below:

“When I was younger, I found it strange that I was subjected to different standards as other boys my age. When I got older and even more so when I became a lawyer, I began to question these standards and challenge them. Why should women live in fear of harassment, violence, and discrimination when basic human decency calls for respect, tolerance, and compassion?

“To cheer all women means to support all women regardless of their race, religion, or background. But not only this – it also means to remove the barriers that prevent women from realizing their full potential. Miss International does this by fostering a global culture of women empowerment and gender equality. And through this platform, we can ensure that no woman anytime, anywhere is left behind.”

As of writing, the coronation event is still ongoing in Tokyo, Japan and is being shown live on the Facebook and YouTube pages of Miss International.

Magtanong is aiming to become the Philippines’ seventh Miss International after Kylie Verzosa in 2016.

Her predecessor, Ahtisa Manalo, finished first runner-up in last year’s pageant.