Royal Diplomacy Meets Advocacy: Crown Princess Himani Shah with Bai Deniece Milinette Cornejo at the Gusi Peace Prize 2023

Renowned model, award-winning youth leader, and multi-awarded women’s rights advocate, Bai Deniece Milinette Vargas Cornejo—popularly known as Youth Ambassador Deniece Cornejo—has been chosen to present the prestigious Crown Princess Himani Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah of Nepal as suggested by Ms. Conchita Gusi with a noble recognition for her remarkable contributions to humanitarian causes through the Himani Trust.

The award, granted to prominent individuals from nineteen different countries, was given by the Gusi Peace Prize International.

The ceremony, which took place on November 29, 2023, at the AFCOC General’s Commission Officer’s Club in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, was a testament to Princess Himani’s efforts to promote peace not only within her nation but also globally.

In the Philippines, Bai Deniece Milinette Vargas Cornejo has been a courageous advocate for women’s and children’s rights, working tirelessly to promote peace and progress in the Philippines. Her dedication to these causes has garnered her numerous accolades throughout her career.

In September 2017, Bai Deniece Cornejo was conferred the esteemed title of BAI through a Royal Proclamation:

“Be it known to all: I, Tuanku Camad M. Ali, Rajah Mandadore of the Royal House of Baloi, Maginoo, of the Principality of Baloi, Grandmaster of the Royal Chivalric Order of Baloi (A tribute in honor Order of Datu Ali) with full Jura Regalia; Jure Sovereignty; Tus imperil; Tus Gladii; Tus Majestatis, and Tus Honorum under International Law and the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997, do by this act and pronouncement, hereby grant and confer the honorary noble status unto DENIECE CORNEJO with the rank of Bai, equivalent to Dame or Baroness.”

The conferment ceremony was held at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Headquarters, recognizing Cornejo’s contributions to society with a noble rank.

Additionally, traces her royal lineage through her paternal grandfather, Pedro GATmaitan Santos. This connects her to the GAT Maitan bloodline, which boasts a direct royal ancient lineage to Lakandula, the last ruler of Tondo, according to an article by the National Quincentennial Committee of the Republic of the Philippines.

As a gesture of Philippine hospitality, Bai Deniece Cornejo personally crafted a handmade lace purse using pineapple silk fabric preserved from the 18th century, the era of Spanish colonization, and presented it as a royal souvenir.

Named “Maria Clara’s Purse,” the purse’s delicate design symbolizes the rich culture, elegance, and tradition of the Regal Filipina. Even international fashion designer Michael Cinco accepted a similar purse in 2022, emphasizing the stunning beauty of Bai Deniece Cornejo’s arrtistic creations.

The choice of Bai Deniece Cornejo as presenter of the Gusi Peace Prize to Crown Princess Himani Shah is a recognition of their parallel significant and noble contributions to the community.

Bai Deniece Cornejo’s remarkable achievements in her advocacy work and her commitment to promoting peace and progress have truly made her an inspiring figurehead in the fight for human rights and humanitarian causes.