Filipino-Kiwi Carmela Evora Laylo is the new Mrs. Universe New Zealand 2019.
The Kiwi-Pinoy (KiwiNoy) who hails from Calapan, Oriental Mindoro, was crowned pageant queen on September 22, 2019 at the Ellerslie Event Centre, Remuera in Auckland.
The proud Calapena also received four other major awards including:
- Mrs. Universe NZ 2019 Community Service Award
- Mrs. Body Beautiful 2019 (highest mark in Swimwear round)
- Mrs. Sports Wear 2019
- Mrs Elegance 2019 (highest mark in the Evening Gown round)
Carmela Laylo granted Good News Pilipinas an interview where we learned how she came to be a New Zealand resident, her advocacy, and her pride in being Filipino.
Good News Pilipinas (GNP): Please share about your journey from Calapan to New Zealand.
Carmela Evora Laylo (MrsUNZ): We were encouraged by my hubby Richard’s best friend to apply as at that time he was already in NZ. We applied online in the work to resident – family category… And the rest is history…Migrating to NZ is so far the biggest and the best decision we have ever made so far for our family, especially for our children’s future.
GNP: How was it for you there as new arrivals to the country?
MrsUNZ: My husband being the principal applicant arrived in Dec 2011, and my 2 kids and I in August 2012 as residents. At the start, it wasn’t easy, starting from scratch, I had to work outside my comfort zone. Living in a small town, Palmerston North, there was not much job opportunity, but God is so good! After a year I started working as a Financial Advisor and after 2 years, I was promoted as BDM: managing my own team of advisors then later on added Mortgage in my portfolio. Life in NZ is simple but offers a more balanced life..
GNP: What made you want to join the pageant?
MrsUNZ: In God’s time, there’s no such thing called delay, only perfect timing. A childhood dream which I thought was impossible to achieve at the age of 40 and with 3 kids… I was blessed with supportive friends and community who walked with me on my journey. I know I have a bigger purpose in life… before joining, I was already an active participant in several social, cultural and spiritual endeavors in my small town… I always wanted to serve other people and this is a bigger platform for me to put my passion into action.. I am now the Charity Ambassador for the Mrs. Universe NZ apart from being the Mrs Universe NZ Ambassador
GNP: What type of charities come with being Mrs. Universe NZ?
MrsUNZ: The Mrs. Universe is focusing on helping the family violence victims which is a prevalent life-threatening under-reported crime in NZ.
Meanwhile, I am also an active Catholic Charismatic missionary member. I once helped a 5-yr-old Filipina girl who suffered from rare cancer… I was the one who created a Give A Little Page for her to raise funds. She died on September 14.
GNP: What would you want to tell Filipinos both in the Philippines and New Zealand and around the world?
MrsUNZ: My journey, our journey continues to show the world the epitome of who a Filipina truly is, from my side of the world to the Philippines, New Zealand and onwards to China.
Believe in your heart and have the conviction to do your best. With God behind you, success can be attained.
Mrs. Universe New Zealand 2019 Carmela Evorala Laylo is now preparing for the upcoming Mrs. Universe global competition to be held on December 30, 2019 in Guangzhou, China.
Carmela Evorala Laylo joins the growing list of KiwiNoys who are making impact in New Zealand across various sectors such as the first KiwiNoy Member of Parliament Paulo Garcia, NZ Police new campaign face and actor Leand Macadaan, 13-year-old Fil-Kiwi entrepreneur “Slime Princess”, Rene Molina of iChannel2020, and overseas Filipinos honored at the 2019 Global Pinoy Idol New Zealand.
WATCH the crowning moment for Mrs. Universe New Zealand 2019 Carmela Evora Laylo and SEND her congratulations and well wishes in the comments below for championing the cause of victims of family violence as she competes in the Mrs. Universe global pageant!
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