Highlights Of First Runner-Up Samantha Bernardo's Miss Grand International 2020 Pageant Experience

She wore a Philippine Eagle-inspired national costume.

The gold and extravagant national costume was designed by Patrick Isorena. This trending creation is called "Agila," as it was inspired by our national bird, the Philippine Eagle. The reason behind this choice is to draw attention to and create awareness about how the Philippine Eagle is critically endangered. Their color of choice is meant to represent how fitting it is for Samantha to be hailed a queen.

Photo Credit: @samanthabernardo__

She soared with this "Lipad" gown.

For the preliminary competition, she wore a stunning evening gown called "Lipad" that was also inspired by a bird that's endemic to Palawan (her home province): the yellow throated leafbird. Designed by Louis Pangilinan, the emerald green gown features hand-embroidered beads and sequins, with gold crystal accents. As Sam's team says about this gown, "[it's] accentuated with gold crystals as a representation of the yellow throat of the bird and feathers from fibers extracted by hand and worked into fine threads woven together in the lower part of the gown." The color of choice symbolizes a "woman’s growth, humility, and courage."

Photo Credit: @jericksanchez via @samanthabernardo__

She flaunted her "Granada Walk" at the swimsuit competition.

Beauty queens who represent the Philippines in international pageants are associated with certain signature walks. In the case of Samantha, her signature walk has come to be known as the "Granada Walk." The beauty queen explained that the name was coined to incoporate the word "Grand" and, she adds, "of course, it's like a bomb whenever I walk."

Photo Credit: @samanthabernardo__

She wore "SAMthing grand" at the coronation night.

Samantha came prepared to win and wow everyone with this golden creation that was especially named after her, Samantha. The gown was designed by YEYE Pantaleon, and was meant to show Samantha's transformation from being a Palawan lass to becoming the "interstellar goddess that she is now." The sexy, sheer, and elaborate number is made up of gold metal cystals studded with pearls.

Photo Credit: @jericksanchez via @styledbykennethr

She talked about peace as "our lasting legacy to the world" in her speech.

The top 10 beauty queen candidates were asked to deliver a speech hinged on the theme "Stop the war and violence," while addressing the problems that currently surround the COVID-19 pandemic. Here's Sam's speech: "Year 2020 will be remembered as the most challenging period in our history. COVID-19 pandemic has brought despair, destruction, and death. Today, our world war has changed from armed conflicts to war on hunger, for better healthcare system, racism, and education. It's an everyday battle that confronts all of us, regardless of who we are and where we are from. As a Malaria Free Philippines spokesperson, I have always lived up to my faith in humanity, cultural understanding, and respect for others. These are what I will continue to stand for if I become your next Miss Grand International. I will be a channel of hope, compassion, and unity; to stand and form and stop any form of violence and war in this world. As we face a COVID-free world, join me as we work together in mending our conflicts and focusing on what truly matters. We are living under one sky so let us all live peacefully where love is our language, humanity in our race, and peace is our lasting legacy to the world."

Photo Credit: @thaisashes

She voiced out her thoughts about COVID-19 at the Q&A portions.

Samantha went through two Q&A portions, one for the Top 5 round and the other one was the final round with the Top 3 candidates. Both Q&A segments focused on the ongoing global health crisis. For the first Q&A segment, the question was: "With the current COVID-19 situation, what would you choose? Shutting down the country for the safety of the people, knowing that the country's economy will be deeply affected, or opening up the country to keep the economy running and taking the risk of COVID-19 infections and consequences?" To which, she answered, "I will always choose the people. Because without its people, a country will never be a country. We will never be the Philippines without Filipinos, you will never be Thailand without Thais. So it is a must that we should take care of our people first. I stand here for love, and peace, and unity, because there will always be a solution no matter what our problems [are] in this life. And I think if we come together as people, as one united world, then we can have a better place to live in. I hope after this pandemic of COVID-19, we can be better citizens."

Photo Credit: @jericksanchez via @styledbykennethr

The next round of Q&A posed this question to the Top 3 candidates: "If there is only one dose of COVID-19 vaccine left and you have to choose who you give it to—either a 15-year-old or a 70-year-old senior citizen—which one would you give it to and why?" Samantha's answer was: "My heart goes to senior citizens because my mom is turning [into a] senior citizen. And I've experienced the loss of my dad four years ago, and I cannot afford to lose my mom. My heart goes to them because they are the most vulnerable during this time. A 15-year-old has the stamina to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. And with proper exercise and healthy living, they can live with it. I know as well that every citizen here will choose and never afford to lose their parents. And so, I will choose senior citizen."

Photo Credit: @officialglobalbeauties

She left for Thailand to compete at Miss Grand International 2020 last February 24.

It was announced by Binibining Pilipinas last February 9 that thay have selected Samantha to replace Aya Abesamis (who was unable to compete due to age limit) for the Miss Grand International 2020 competition. Shortly after, within the same month, Samantha left for Thailand. As she traveled to Bangkok, she shared photos of her wearing a modern take on the Chut Thai, the traditional garment of Thailand, as a tribute to "The Land of Smiles." Her outfit was created by Cyrus Gueta, accessorized with a gold hair accent by OrnateManila.

Photo Credit: @jericksanchez via @samanthabernardo__

More of Miss Grand International 2020 1st Runner-Up Samantha Bernardo

See more of Samantha Bernardo in the different photo shoots she's done recently. Here, she's wearing the "Kalapati" gown by Chico Estiva.

Photo Credit: @joshtolentino via @samanthabernardo__

In a creation by YEYE Pantaleon

Photo Credit: @jericksanchez via @samanthabernardo__

In a hologram fish scale dress inspired by the Thai guardian spirits called “The Yak” by Mara Chua

Photo Credit: @jericksanchez via @samanthabernardo__

In a creation by Louis Pangilinan

Photo Credit: @sevenbarretto via @samanthabernardo__

In an ensemble by OrnateManila

Photo Credit: @sevenbarretto via @samanthabernardo__

Photo Credit: @joshtolentino via @samanthabernardo__

Photo Credit: @joshtolentino via @samanthabernardo__

In an ensemble by Ushi Sato

Photo Credit: @sevenbarretto via @samanthabernardo__

In a dress by YEYE Pantaleon

Photo Credit: @joshtolentino via @samanthabernardo__

In a gown by Chico Estiva

Photo Credit: @sevenbarretto via @samanthabernardo__

Photo Credit: @sevenbarretto via @samanthabernardo__