In the past year, Gazini Ganados has traded in her sash and crown for a bike and helmet—as well as a yoga mat, boxing gloves, tennis racket, diving gear, and any other sport she’d been given the chance to try out. “I love mixing things up! I am basically trying to focus on healthy living and exercise,” she shares. “Anything that brings positivity, I will always welcome with open arms.”
That said, though, it seems that biking has become a true passion in the past year. She often shares snapshots of her rides to her more than 700,000 followers on Instagram, and the state-of-the-art bicycle she poses with in this story is her own. “It just makes you feel free,” she tells us during the shoot, as she maneuvers the bike around with ease. “When you’re riding, it’s just you and the road.”
The Road to the Crown
The experience might be a welcome escape for Gazini, who has spent the last few years in a whirlwind of pageants and projects—ultimately coming to a crest when she was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2019, and went on to represent the country on the international stage. But even before then, she was already one of Cebu’s more recognizable faces, being a favorite of many brands for their marketing campaigns.
“The road to Binibing Pilipinas was not a scenic trail. I’ve had my share of failures, which led me to doubt my abilities,” Gazini admits. “But it was in those times where I found strength to keep fighting and to trust the process. Also, working with people I trust is something that I’ve come to value more.”
Gazini seems to always brim with drive and passion, something you feel simmering beneath the surface as she works. Her striking eyes give you a glimpse of just how much thought and determination goes into every smile, every statement, every gesture.
It’s the kind of confidence that comes with experience, and Gazini credits her Miss Universe Philippines title as an incredible opportunity to grow. “It totally flipped my world upside down,” she shares. “I am more appreciative of my journey in fulfilling a life-long dream, from my humble beginnings, to a life of service and continuous growth.”
Her time with the crown also gave her the chance to work closely with her advocacies—elderly care, and HIV and AIDS research. “Of course, I can’t leave out the part of meeting strong empowered women from all over the globe, with different cultural backgrounds. Being able to stand beside them and celebrate the beauty of diversity was such an exhilarating experience. It was truly once-in-a-lifetime,” she continues.
“I’ve had my share of failures, which led me to doubt my abilities. But it was in those times where I found strength to keep fighting and to trust the process. Also, working with people I trust is something that I’ve come to value more.”
Gazini placed in the Top 20 of Miss Universe 2019 pageant. Although she wasn’t able to take home the crown, she did bring back memories she wouldn’t trade for anything. “I honestly wouldn’t change a thing,” she says. “At the end of the day, I gave my all—I think even more than my all, really—and I am very satisfied with the outcome. Sometimes it’s not all about winning; it’s about growth and self-realization.”
2020 Vision
Gazini continued on the journey of self-realization in the past year—following whirlwind travels, she’d come to a stop when the country locked down during the pandemic. Like many, she’d developed a deeper appreciation for the things that mattered the most. “If there’s one thing this pandemic has taught me, it’s that human bonds and relationships are priceless,” she shares, continuing on to say that the past competitions have left her little time with her family and friends. “I made sure to spend as much time as I can with them now—of course, while observing health and safety protocols.”
That’s not to say, though, that the last year has been a completely positive one. “I do not want to romanticize the quarantine situation,” Gazini says. “Most of my friends from the fashion and events industries—as well as others working in different fields—have taken a huge blow from all the lockdowns and restrictions in place. I empathize with their struggle, and I try to do my part as much as I can, within my capacities.”
With all the challenges that the community is facing these days, Gazini finds it’s all about taking it one day at a time. “It’s an ongoing process of relearning our approach on the most mundane and trivial things, doing them with care and precision for the good of the general public,” she shares. “I always try to keep an open mind, and just really focus on the things that enrich my life and help me grow.”
The Open Road
For now, one of those things is getting on a bike and heading up the mountains of Cebu to enjoy the sights, hanging out with friends in a socially distant way, and getting a good workout. More than an obstacle, the steep roads become an opportunity to rise above what you had previously thought you were capable of. “I discovered my limits, and ways to overcome them, and to really strive to work on the areas that I need improvement on,” Gazini shares—musings as relevant to biking, as they are to life.
For Gazini, there are more mountains to climb and roads to traverse, but she will definitely take on each ride with gusto. What exactly is she most looking forward to? “I’m most excited about skydiving,” she laughs. I guess when it comes to what this woman can do, sky’s definitely the limit.