Crowned Miss Teen International 2017 to promote Aklan to the world

Boracay-born Kathleen Paton, recently crowned as 2017 Miss Teen International hopes to make Aklan more known to the world. (Photo by Ray in Manila/Flickr, CC BY 2.0)

BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan — Boracay-born Kathleen Paton, recently crowned as 2017 Miss Teen International hopes to make Aklan more known to the world.

The beauty from Aklan was crowned  last September 23 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Paton is half-Australian and is currently studying in Australia.

Paton in a Facebook interview on Tuesday said aside from Boracay, she wants to promote other towns in Aklan.

“Boracay is popular on its own. I want to focus on promoting the beauty that is Aklan,” she said particularly mentioning the caves and cold springs of Nabas town where she grew up.

She said the title gives her the opportunity to invite everyone to visit Aklan, be it for shopping, spelunking, adventures, or just be one with nature.

Paton said that through her title, she will promote the essence of beauty, friendship, and culture, which are in line with the pageant’s main advocacies.

Beauty, according to her, means promoting a clean and pristine environment, and not just personal attributes. Friendship meanwhile is needed according to her to promote harmony among communities.

She likewise encouraged especially the youth to love their own culture.

“We should embrace and promote our culture while at the same time discovering what other cultures have to offer,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Sangguniang Bayan of Malay has approved a resolution on Tuesday commending and congratulating Paton.

SB Member Jupiter Gallenero said it was to recognize the honor brought by Paton to the island of Boracay and Aklan.