Angel Gwyneth Gutierrez has been named Mutya ng Kasarinlan 2024, marking one of the key highlights of the Philippine Independence Day celebrations organized by the Bayanihan Council in Abu Dhabi.
Gutierrez, an accounting and finance student at Curtin University Dubai, reflected on her unexpected journey into pageantry. "My main focus has always been on building a solid career in my field," she said. "The thought of joining a pageant had never even crossed my mind. However, Ivykep Peralta saw something in me that I hadn't seen in myself. She encouraged me to join Mutya ng Kasarinlan, and that decision changed my life."
Her participation in the pageant helped her discover her true self and uncover her passion for advocacy and community service. "I am incredibly grateful to Mutya ng Kasarinlan and everyone who has supported me along the way. This experience has opened my eyes to the world of pageantry, a world where beauty meets purpose," Gutierrez added. "I now know that with belief, support, and courage, we can achieve more than we ever imagined."
In March, Angel was crowned Mutya ng Pilipinas Dubai – Charity as part of the Mutya ng Pilipinas Dubai pageant. The crowning took place in the presence of Mutya ng Pilipinas National Director Cory Quirino, who noted that the judges overwhelmingly voted for Gutierrez to receive the title. Quirino remarked that this was "a new prestigious title added to Mutya ng Pilipinas Dubai."
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