As former beauty queens continue to return to the pageant stage through special editions and all-star competitions, many fans have wondered whether former Miss Universe Philippines 2014 MJ Lastimosa would consider competing again.
In an exclusive interview with PUSH ABS-CBN during the Because She Can: Preventive Health for a Thriving Future – A Women's Health Roundtable event, MJ admitted that while she has seen the online clamor for her return, a comeback is not something she is actively considering at the moment.
“Nakikita ko naman lahat noong tags and memes ninyo. First of all, ang tanda ko na,” MJ laughingly said. “Ako naman, kasi tatlong beses na ako nag-Binibini di ba so parang feeling ko ansagad ko na yung join and join again, yung try and try again.”
More than a decade since she represented the Philippines in the beauty pageant, MJ believes that it is also important to give other Filipinas the opportunity to pursue their own pageant dreams.
“At this point in my life, I feel like ang dami dami pa kasing opportunities for other women and to share the stage with other women and hindi naman pwedeng tayo ng tayo lang,” she added.
For now, MJ said she is happy to support aspiring queens from the sidelines and share her experience with the next generation of candidates.
“I am really happy to be where I am now, to be as supportive as I can be to other Filipinas to reach their dreams and share my knowledge about pageantry,” she said. “Ang saya din kaya maging audience and maging audience impact. Ngayon, nae-enjoy ko na siya.”
Although she does not see herself returning to the competition, MJ has not closed the door on the pageant world.
“I cannot say that I will never kasi marami rin naman na nakikita ko na mga moms na sumasali or even after they got married sumasali rin sila kaya who knows na magising ulit the lioness in me at gustong sumali ulit in the future,” she revealed.
She also acknowledged that joining pageants today requires significant financial investment, something she has become more aware of after speaking with current candidates.
“As of today, hindi ko pa rin talaga siya naiisip and nakita ko na ang mahal niya kasi nakakausap ko rin yung mag sumasali from before. Talagang iba na iyong gastusan nowadays. So, I think if I am ready, my heart, mentally, physically, and my pocket, why not,” she expressed.
While pageantry may no longer be her primary focus, MJ continues to explore new opportunities in the entertainment industry as a host and an actress.
MJ and several fellow beauty queens are currently preparing for a new project together that will be announced anytime soon.
“We are preparing for another movie project, hindi ko pa alam kung pwede na siya ishare kasi secret pa siya pero abangan niyo po. Mayroon kaming project na sobrang ganda nito kasi maraming beauty queens na kasali rito so abangan niyo siya in the future,” she teased.
The former beauty queen also revealed the actor she wants to work with.
“Since 2011 naman, sinasabi ko yung idol ko at ng kumare ko na si Shamcey Supsup na si Jericho Rosales talaga. I think in the future if I’ll gonna have a project, gusto ko mga action kasi I’ve been really into fitness now. Sobra na ako magwork out and I'm learning how to play tennis and golf,” MJ explained.
“Noong mas active ako sa acting, sa mga series before, it’s more on fantasy because maybe I'm so tall or we came from beauty pageant industry so mas madali for us na maging iba ibang persona in the fantasy world so ngayon siguro gusto ko matry maging leading lady sa isang action,” she added.
Asked if she would be willing to join Jericho's upcoming series The Loyalty Game, MJ said she would gladly consider the opportunity.
“I’m going to say yes and talagang yung list of their cast ay napakahusay, napakagaling. Pero before I say yes, I’ll make sure na ready ako sa mga role na ibibigay sa akin,” she said.