After bringing home the first-runner-up title during Miss Charm 2023, let’s meet Filipina beauty Annabelle Mae Tate McDonnell, who made it happen!

On February 16, McDonnell won as the first runner-up among the 38 international candidates.

Well, she’s not only a queen on the international stage; she also has a lot of charm outside the world of pageantry.

1. McDonnell was born in the United Kingdom

The Filipino-British beauty queen was born in the United Kingdom but grew up in the Philippines.

McDonnell was raised in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, and eventually lived in different parts of Lanao del Norte, including Kapatagan and Naawan.

2. She was an “academic standout”

At a younger age, McDonnell has already shown her love for learning and value for intellectual growth, as she believes that education will help create a brighter future for the youth.

She was considered an academic standout as she was always present in campus journalism, debate, and public speaking contests during her high school years, which truly shows her promising quality as a beauty queen.

3. She is a Consular and Diplomatic Affairs student

During her college days, she attended a local university in Iligan City. Now 21 years old and a 4th year student, she is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Consular and Diplomatic Affairs at a college in Manila.

She is also pursuing her love of writing as she participates as a feature writer for their university publication.

4. McDonnell takes pride of her journey as an orphan

McDonnell is also very open about her journey as an orphan, where she learned how to use her own voice to survive, inspire, enlighten, and help others thrive by becoming their own voice.

She has supported herself through scholarships since she was 15 years old.

During the Miss Universe Philippines Coronation in 2022, McDonnell shared her biggest insecurity in lieu of what she experienced as an orphan.

She only saw herself as a meager and marginalized child who was trying to survive each day, but she continued to work and study harder in order to achieve the better life she’s now living.

5. She has won in numerous beauty pageants

Primed with her beauty and intelligence, she has also won several beauty titles, including Miss Iligan 2018, Miss Lanao Del Norte 2019, Miss Millennial 2019 second runner-up, Miss Kuyamis 2022, and Miss Universe Philippines 2022 first runner-up.

She was also invited to host some local pageants in 2019.

McDonnell truly has a colorful life that has made her come this far; thus, we must continue to support her as she aims to charm bigger stages and more crowns to clinch for the Philippines.

Photo Credit:
https://www.instagram.com/annabelle.mcdonnell/,
https://www.facebook.com/TheMissUniversePH,
https://www.facebook.com/annabellemae.mcdonnell,
https://www.facebook.com/mmphldn2019

Source:
https://www.facebook.com/annabellemae.mcdonnell