By Steve Angeles, ABS CBN North America News Bureau
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Long Beach, Calif. - 21-year old Krista Kleiner is a woman on a mission. The reigning Miss Philippines International is gearing up for the Miss International pageant in China this November.
The Fullerton California based beauty queen, will be leaving for the Philippines and then China by the end of August.

“A victory for me is knowing I really did my best.  I didn’t slack off that I really got all the information I could and put my heart and soul into being the best I could possibly be that day,” said Kleiner.

The college student describes everyday as training for the pageant.  Her newest challenge is learning to do her own hair and make up. Though she’s competed in previous pageants, she’s always had make up artists.

However under the Miss International rules, contestants must do their own hair and make up. Filipino make up artist Marlou Colina whose clients include Charice, Leah Salonga, David Foster and soul singer Denise Williams has been coaching Kleiner from his Long Beach Salon.

“We’re still working on the hair part since the make up part she’s doing good. She’s really thorough on her foundation, fake lashes, I have taught her different techniques from stage make up to smoky make up to day make up. She’s adapting very well,” said Colina.

Though the Miss International Pageant lasts for just one night, Kleiner said, the competition begins in early October when contestants arrive in China. She said they have to make good impressions when meeting with the public, sponsors, and judges throughout the month. Besides the series of make up classes, she believes recent experience touring the world with singer Julio Iglesias will give her an edge.

Kleiner said, “I feel a lot more comfortable going and knowing I’ll be able to get along better with other girls knowing their background and their cultures, and if they ask to represent them on an international level I’ll know I’ll be able to do so.”

In 2005, Miss Philippines international Princess Lara Quigaman took home the crown. Kleiner says she, too,  is hoping her hard work can also bring home a crown.
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