Tell us something about yourself that is totally unexpected.
MICHELE GUMABAO: I think a lot of people don’t know that I’m a huge nerd. I love studying, I love school. I always look forward to school. I always make sure that my grades were up and I love reading.
What made you join Bb. Pilipinas?
MICHELE GUMABAO: I actually saw the opportunity that all these beauty queens had and they’re a voice for people. They have a huge platform that I never got to step onto being in sports or even being in showbiz. It’s a different world. It’s a different category all together. It’s a different market as well. So, I figured that if I do join a beauty pageant, then I get to reach out to more people.
You come from a family of actors, why didn’t you go into acting instead?
MICHELE GUMABAO: I’ve always liked watching my family on TV, but when it comes to acting I just was always shy. I’ve never been to workshops so I don’t think I have it in me to be an actress so I’m willing to take the risks though. I’ve done a couple of small roles before and it’s something that I’m always interested to venture into but maybe I’ll leave it up to m y brother first as of the moment.
How did your training as a volleyball player help you in the beauty pageant?
MICHELE GUMABAO: It was my biggest asset coming into Bb. Pilipinas, was my training as a volleyball player. I was used to people coaching me and teaching me what to do. I’m used to being a student and so whenever I plunge into something that I really don’t know anything about, especially pageantry. It was easy for me to learn because a lot of people wanted to teach me. It was really easy for me to work with other, to learn and I think the discipline that I got in volleyball also helped me to transform and to be a Beauty Queen because that’s what you need. You have to look the part, you have to stand the part and of course, you have to have that inside of you being an advocate. Volleyball being in media also, it helped me to be more open to people and to show your people your talents and really what you’re good at.