There's a Lot to Love About Kelsey Merritt

Kelsey Merritt, the first Filipina to walk the runway of Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, is presently a hot topic on social media.

But her "WE DID IT PHILIPPINES!!!!!" announcement on Instagram was greeted by what seemed to be a sneer online. Twitter users pointedly remarked that she's going to be the "first Filipino-American" and not the "first pure-blooded Filipino" who will be part of the coveted modeling gig. One referred to her as a "white-looking woman" with "eurocentric features."

With a now-viral tweet, Merritt, who is Kapampangan, slayed the naysayers.

Starting with her feisty defense of her background, there are a lot more to be admired about this 5'8" stunner than being known in showbiz as the doppelganger of Anne Curtis...

...and Liza Soberano.

PROUD ABOUT FLAWS

Her feed glorifies the positive side of self-love, one that does not shun beauty imperfections such as freckles and stretchmarks.

PROUD COLLEGE GRADUATE

Kelsey managed to finish her course, Bachelor of Arts Major in Communication, at the Ateneo de Manila University in four years while she was flying in and out of the country for her modelling assignments.

While she was advised to study online so she could accept more projects in New York, Merritt instead opted to become a full-time student.

Here's a peek into her frenzied student life:

"It was not easy always flying more than 15 hours and then fighting jet lag, going to work the next day, and having to go home after work to finish papers or study for a test. It wasn't easy trying to fight back sleep on the plane because I had so many readings to catch up on. God knows how hard it was to constantly fly back and forth New York and London while still in school. I had to miss classes, but still make sure that I was on top of every thing. At the same time, I had no right to complain I was having a hard time because I was blessed with work. I was living my dream! People often ask me how I managed to do it, and all I say is that as long as you have your priorities straight and manage your time well, then it really can be done. Other people also think that I've missed a few semesters, and I'm behind my batch, but that's not the case. I'm graduating with the same batch I entered Ateneo with."

She was part of Batch 2017.

PROUD OF THE COUNTRY'S BEACHES

She will make a good ambassador of Philippines.

Having seen great places in several countries, she remains in awe of our islands.

"No filter needed...Ily [I love you], Philippines"

"I swear the Philippines just keeps surprising me!!! When you think you’ve seen it all..."

PROUD OF HER "HOME"

And wherever life takes her, the 21-year-old celebrity will always call Philippines "home."

This story originally appeared on Pep.ph. Minor edits have been made by the Esquiremag.ph editors.