Michele Gumabao reveals that she was the first person to tell herself no

For volleyball star Michele Gumabao, her Binibining Pilipinas crown is a win for "every girl who was told she couldn't."

In an interview with GMA News Online, Michele said that she initially didn't have the courage to join the pageant. 

"I was that person at first, telling also myself I couldn't do it just because I was an athlete, I wasn't given the physique of a beauty queen or the stand of a beauty queen. It's really different, it's two different worlds. And I was the first one who told myself that I couldn't," Michele shared.

The Binibining Pilipinas Queens: Bb Pilipinas Globe Michele Gumabao pic.twitter.com/VpuBXZ3Lue

— Jamil Santos (@Jamil_Santos02) March 22, 2018

Even her own family was hesitant, Michele continued. "They were like 'just stick [to] volleyball, that's where you're good at, you're gonna plunge into a new and different environment for you, and it's gonna open you to more criticism.'"

The fear was there, but Michele decided to face things head on and overcome her insecurities. "[My crown] is really dedicated to every girl who is just afraid to try new things, and to open herself up to criticism and to a new career," she said.

 

This crown is for every girl who was told she couldn't! Believe in yourself, impossible is just a word! So Overwhelmed ? I still can't believe I've been given this opportunity to represent our country internationally. Thank you @bbpilipinasofficial ? thank you to all my michelins, to all our admins! To my family, my bestfriends everyone who supported along the way! To qc and tito joey of albay! Thank you for your support! To @ifammar for believing in me all the way! To my aces and queens family thank you! @natmanilag for making sure i was always dressed like a queen @ricciconde for making me look like one! Thank you @creamsilkph for the opportunity! Thank you God for always giving me the means to pursue my wildest dreams and craziest imaginations. Rookie of The Year! BINIBINING PILIPINAS GLOBE 2018 ? From pro athlete turned celebrity, businesswoman, coach and now BEAUTY QUEEN! i know whats next. Hehehe stay tuned ????

A post shared by Michele Gumabao (@gumabaomichele) on

Mar 19, 2018 at 2:44am PDT

Michele's advice to the youth: Focus on your goals, dream big, and do your best

"My message not just to the girls but to everyone, especially to the youth who want to dream. You just have to set goals for yourself. Know where you wanna go and ask yourself how you wanna get there and do your best. And that's what I did," she said. 

"I wanted to be a beauty queen. I wanted to be part of Binibining Pilipinas and I did everything that I could to be here right now. I did my best also and I'm very happy and if you wanna dream, if you want to set goals for yourself, make sure that they're high enough that they're not too easy for you to achieve and good luck," she added.

Michele was an early favorite for pageant fans and her win was met with loud cheers during the Coronation Night last March 18. — AT, GMA News