Pageant veteran Pauline Amelinckx is returning to the Miss Universe Philippines (MUPh) 2023 stage for another shot at the crown, and she is determined to use the platform to make a difference. Despite the runner-up finishes, Pauline has never lost her drive to become a beacon of hope and inspiration for many Filipinos.

As an Ambassador of Hope for the Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation, Pauline has been instrumental in bringing awareness to the importance of providing education to underprivileged children in coastal and far-flung communities all over the Philippines. She is a firm believer in the foundation’s mission of using the “bangka” or yellow school boats to bring children to school safe, fast and dry. This initiative has been close to her heart as it hits close to home, with her hometown of Tubigon having a Yellow Boat of Hope project on the island barangay of Bilangbilangan for many years.

But Pauline’s advocacy goes beyond providing access to education. She is also passionate about marine conservation and has used her talent in art to raise awareness and educate children on the importance of taking care of our oceans. Her first coloring book for children, which features her drawings of various marine creatures and descriptions of each, is just the beginning of her vision of using art to promote marine conservation. She has been creating more coloring books and continuing to work alongside the Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation all over the Philippines.

But her advocacy doesn’t stop there. Amidst the pandemic, Pauline saw the opportunity to give back to her own community. She teamed up with the YBH “Hope in a Box” initiative, which involves re-printing her coloring books and distributing them personally to children in her barangay. She also gave them coloring materials and fruits for snacks. Through this initiative, she hopes to spread hope, joy and education to children in her hometown of Tubigon and spread her mission of marine conservation through her coloring books nationwide.

Pauline’s decision to join the Miss Universe Philippines competition once again was not a last-minute one, as she had been pondering on it for months. She trusts her gut feeling and believes that she still has the passion and ambition to make a difference and bring people together for meaningful causes. With overflowing support from her friends, family, and fellow advocates, Pauline sees this as her NOW, her time to transform and be transformed.

Pauline further believes that winning the MUPh crown will give her an even bigger platform to bring awareness and be the change to the different communities in need. She is excited to use her voice to amplify the voices of those who are often unheard and to be an advocate for meaningful causes that she holds close to her heart.

Pauline’s story is an inspiration to all of us. Her advocacy shows us that there is always a way to give back, no matter how big or small. Her passion and dedication to making a difference in the lives of children and the environment is a testament to her character and values. And her decision to join the Miss Universe Philippines competition once again is a reminder to never give up on our dreams, to trust our gut feeling, and to always strive for greatness. We wish Pauline all the best in her journey, and we know that she will continue to inspire us all with her advocacy and her story.