Miss Universe Vietnam H’hen Niê continues to inspire her fans all over the world after becoming the first Vietnamese woman who came from an ethnic minority to represent her country in the Miss Universe pageant and finish in the Top 5.
She also captured the hearts of many because of her touching story that left fans in awe.
H’Hen shared her story on how she came from being part of an ethnic minority called Ede or Rade in Vietnam to becoming a finance student in Ho Chi Minh and eventually winning the Miss Universe Vietnam crown.
RELATED STORY: Miss Vietnam: From domestic helper to the top of the universe
H’hen was able to secure a spot in the pageant’s Top 5 — a feat that no other Vietnamese representative has achieved in the past — and a team of Filipino pageant trainers was behind her success.
After the Miss Universe 2018 preliminary competition, H’hen posted a video of her evening gown performance and thanked Bicol-based pageant coach Anjo Santos, which she called her “teacher”.
Anjo is an independent pageant coach who has been training Bicolano models under the training program “Modelo Bikolano”. He has also trained Miss Universe 2010 4th runner-up Venus Raj and Miss Philippines Earth – Water 2007 Joycie Nocomura.
“From the bottom of my heart, thank you very much, my teacher Anjo Santos,” H’hen wrote.
In an exclusive interview with PEP.ph, Anjo said that the national director of Miss Universe Vietnam approached him to train H’hen for the said international pageant.
Anjo said that he’s been training Miss Vietnam candidates since 2014.
“Through the national director of Miss Universe Vietnam, my friend, they hired me to train her. So yung mga kaibigan ko din sa Ho Chi Minh City na mga close ko ay nag-support to help kaya naging team po kami,” Anjo was quoted as saying.
He said that he trained H’hen for a month before she flew to Bangkok, Thailand where the pageant took place. He taught her the right poise, stance, and catwalk, and make-up techniques. Anjo also designed a pasarela (runway walk) fit for H’hen’s body and outfit.
“She was stunning, brave, and queenly but most of all down to earth. Naiyak po ako, siyempre, nagalak… Natuwa ’cause H’Hen has also a little mix of Pinoy blood,” Anjo spoke of H’hen’s Top 5 finish.
Aside from Anjo, Vietnam-based overseas Filipino workers Gerard Ruivivar and Kim Rocafor also helped H’hen prepare for the interview and question-and-answer portion.
The OFWs said that they are happy for H’hen for bringing pride to her country.
“H’Hen worked so hard. Every time na may ibinigay na drill sa kanya ang head coach like the pasarela, she doesn’t stop. She is focused during the training. One good thing about H’Hen, [she] absorbed the techniques nang mabilisan. She is a fast-learner. Though minsan may language barrier pero di siya hindrance. She got support from her org,” Gerard said.
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I want to give special thank everyone and love you all ❤️#MissUniverse #Bangkok #Thailand
Main photo credits: Anjo Santos via PEP.ph, @hhennie.official on Instagram
