"I was not prepared and as always, I was planning on sabotaging myself again. These auditions happened when I was still preparing for the Makanaka fashion show. The time for Miss Zimbabwe Queen auditions was clashing with my rehearsal schedule"

"But I am accepting these changes with a grateful heart as I know that being chosen amongst the most beautifully intelligent young ladies in my country, God saw fit and worthy of me to be crowned. I know it takes hard work, preparation, sweat and sleepless nights to be selected among the best 11 contestants, but to be crowned I believe it is destiny"

"So the version of me now, I'm the healthiest I've ever been."

"I used to shrink myself in the crowds so that people won’t see how tall I am, because I used to get mocked for being the tallest girl in class and at school. Even walking in the streets right now, people still find it amusing that I am this tall"

"My relationships with the people around me are the richest they've ever been. And so, in a way, I see the blessing and the hurt."

"So, I never participated in anything that would make me stand out as I was always referred to as “toro” tall girl and to me back then it diminished my confidence"

"My late grandmother taught me how to cook, how to take care of myself, how to pray and to work for something, she was like my second mother,” said Charlotte. “She would always tell me that there is nothing for free in this world. My grandmother was a tailor and she would make us clothes, but to get them you had to do something in return either help weeding the fields or fetch firewood and then she would give them to us"

"So it's just been a really healing journey. I feel like I came back home to myself."

"An ending is not a failure."

"Those who are familiar with Chirumanzu know that it is a long distance between those places. I recall we left the house at around 2am in the morning for us to get to Holy Cross before 8am for the entrance test. I also remember when I had to stay with my grandmother and mother was at school and we were financially strained. I had to walk to school without shoes"

"My mother always told me that she could not give me the world, but only education because that’s the inheritance I get to keep for life. I remember one time I had to go for entrance tests for my Form One. We had to walk from Lynwood Mvuma to Holy Cross High School by foot because it was a matter of saving for entrance test fees"

"I have so many people who are not even related to me to thank for helping my mother to send me to school. I always try to reflect on how I got here so that I can get motivated to try and do better"

"I pray we’ll never settle in a place of ‘ganun talaga eh,’ wag tayo masanay ('it's just like that, eh,' let's not get used to that). Who we put in leadership need to be held accountable to the responsibility of protecting and uplifting the lives of the nation."

"I had the privilege to be raised by strong independent women, when my mother fell sick and when she also had an opportunity to go back to school I had to go and live with my grandmother. The most amazing human being ever, I wish she was here to celebrate this moment with me"

"There are times that are still painful for me to talk about, but my mother is a fighter and she gets things done and she never gives up and here I am today thanks to her"

"Honestly, it was about giving myself the grace to try so that I will not regret later on. What I have learned is that if you give yourself grace to try God always meets you along the way"

"For now, let’s continue to spotlight the communities who are still in need of aid. Many communities are still cut off from fresh drinking water, submerged under water or are in need of basic needs."

"Thank you for the fight. Yours is a comeback story that I know well, and so it's with certainty that I can say, never denied only redirected."

"Fashion plays a really wonderful role in allowing women to feel empowered, because it allows an avenue for self-expression."

"Faith is so foundational I can’t imagine being with a partner that also doesn’t support me and walk in faith with me on my same journey. So, it’s pretty much non-negotiable for me."

"It showcases either how we’re feeling and how we see ourselves, to celebrate what being a woman is, which is accessing different facets of ourselves, whatever the roles we feel or aspire to be. Fashion can really be an avenue where we can amplify and express that."

"From World to Universe and beyond. A friendship that's spanned 8 years and counting!"

"A full circle moment. The Tropical Essentials campaign was my first welcome to the H&M family back in 2022. Four years later, I'm so honored to be chosen as the face of the Tropical Essentials collection for 2026."

"When I was younger, I would only feel fulfilled when I saw my life through the lens of career, but this year revealed so plainly to me that life's moments are best celebrated with those you love"

"Philippines, my heart is overflowing with gratitude. This journey has been made even more meaningful because every single step of the way I felt each and every one of you right there with me."

"Maybe our approach wasn’t out-of-the-box enough"

"The first one was conquering myself. Like every single person I had to overcome the fear that comes from within. But I conquered my fear with faith. And faith in myself. Because I knew that I was and I’m not perfect. But I knew I’m determined."

"I think that if you are not comfortable, it really shows and I really believe that your energy speaks the loudest than any great outfit does. So if my energy is off because I'm uncomfortable, because I'm fidgeting, I'd rather be comfortable and allow my energy to speak the loudest."

"Good times made even better with good company."

"The second was conquering others. There were so many times that people told me that I would fail.But I conquered others. I surrounded myself with people who uplifted me, supported me, and mentored me."

"Always a proud Filipina 💜 Until next time, New York!"

"The storms will always come but we can be better prepared, systems put into place to mediate or reduce the affects. How I pray that our public funds will be used with transparency and intention to protect the livelihood, safety and essential human needs of the Filipino people."

"As a creative, it’s not every day your work gets recognized… and to be able to represent our country on this kind of global stage is really, really special."

"We’re both storytellers. We feed off each other’s creative energies."

"Let’s raise awareness together and celebrate the strength of cleft-affected individuals and their families around the world."

"I always say like to remember why you went on that journey in the first place. And it could be any journey that resonates with you — either it’s opening new doors and opportunities for yourself, or elevating your community, for the cause, or for the country."

"I think it's wonderful."

"Things are just things and things can be replaced. Family and their safety is the most important thing."

"The third and most important is conquering for a purpose. What was the point of all this? Who was I doing this for?"

"Inside each and every one of us is a king or queen with the ability to conquer the universe, whatever that may be for you. But we must first conquer ourselves, conquer what others perceive of us and finally conquer with a purpose, to conquer our dreams."

"Let the full weight of justice fall on those who betrayed this nation and stole from its people, not for revenge, but for righteousness. Raise up leaders, Lord, with integrity, courage, and conviction."

"I've achieved milestones that feel like have been years in the making, but that's not what I'm most thankful for. This year, I've finally built up the courage to reach out and lean on others when the going got tough"

"I’ve been in a relationship with someone that didn’t really meet me at the same level of my faith and it was very, very difficult."

"We praise women when they’re career-driven, but then there’s also people who are like, ‘Oh, you do not have time for your family.’ And then you see women who are all about their family and they say like, ‘Oh, sayang (what a waste) you gave up your career, I don’t think I’ve ever felt sexism so strongly in my personal experience than I do in this topic."

"Proof that you should never ever give up on your dreams!"

"I have a newfound tension when I step outside, a new anxiousness with my surroundings and belongings."

"We deserve so much better."

"However, my friends from the Makanaka fashion show knew I once spoke about auditioning so when the time was going against me, they offered to drive me to the venue. My other friend offered to do my make-up and we did at the Rainbow Towers bathroom. I am so grateful to these people because they did not give me a room to make an excuse and I showed up for the auditions"

"Growing up it was not easy for me, witnessing my mother go through difficult times trying to make ends meet in raising me up"

"Strengthen every Filipino who longs for justice. Restore truth, accountability, and justice."