Bettina Manner

Contestant No.1

38 years old

Why have you decided to sign up for Mrs Gibraltar?

I love Gibraltar and believe I am already a valuable asset and an ambassador for Gibraltar as a tourist guide and athlete winning medals in pistol shooting.

Becoming Mrs Gibraltar would give me another platform to represent Gibraltar in different ways showing my unique personality, talents and experiences that make me stand out and shine. Also help me encourage others to make every day count like I do. I'd like to show everyone how to be positive and enjoy life to the fullest, even or especially at difficult times and always look at the bright side. I'd like to make a difference with my personality and actions such as supporting charities.

Describe yourself in a few words 

I am authentic, empathetic, inspiring, multi-talented, charismatic, creative, fun and unexpected.
I have a big heart and I make every day count for myself and people close to me.
Showing everyone how to enjoy life to the fullest by being open to new experiences makes me unique and alongside my positive personality, hobbies and lifestyle can inspire others. Even an article has been written about me titled ''The girl with a gun''. I do modelling and pistol shooting, which is an unusual pairing.

Hobbies & Interests

I do competitive pistol shooting and I've won several medals at 3 Island Games and in Spain representing Gibraltar.
I love modelling for photoshoots and on the catwalk especially for charity.
I studied music and I can play piano, guitar and drums.
I love singing – I used to sing in different choirs of Gibraltar and even the Governors attended our concerts. We've had the privilege to sing the National Anthem of Gibraltar on stage on National Day which is one of my fondest memories.
I enjoy cultural events such as exhibitions, plays, concerts, parades, etc.
I play board games with my mum and friends regularly (I am good at working out tactics and I am quite lucky too).
I've travelled to over 25 countries and collected coins from all of them including all the Gibraltar ones.
I enjoy winter sports such as skiing, snowboarding and ice skating.


Family 

My mum is my best friend and even if she doesn't live here (she lives in Hungary) we are very close as we have a call almost every day and she loves Gibraltar too. She visits me a few times a year and we wouldn't miss celebrating National Day together. Apart from my family I feel the love of everyone in Gibraltar. I've truly been accepted and I can proudly call myself Gibraltarian on paper and in my heart. I have a primary school teacher degree and I am good at dealing with children (even if I don't have any myself), especially my friends' children who I see a lot of. I am entertaining and I can invent fun games which make them want to spend time with me and they don't even let me talk to the adults at all gatherings.

What does being part of Mrs Gibraltar mean to you?

It gives me a platform to get my message across, which is how to live life on the fullest, how to value everything you have, encourage and help people and contribute to society which will all come back to make my own life better.

The most important thing in my life is people and friendships. I'd like to make new friends by participating and have unforgettable memories with the people I'll meet on this journey.

Also I have had Bell's Palsy which knocked my confidence. Participating in the pageant helps me to regain it and aside from looks my inner self and personality will shine through.

What are your goals or ambitions?

I'd like to carry on raising money for charity and awareness of important issues/causes such as inclusion in the community and helping people who need it by using British Sign Language or any other way I can.

I'd like to go far and win major shooting competitions and break more records for Gibraltar.

Do you support any causes, charities or community work?

I've participated in several fashion shows for Bosom Buddies Charity raising tens of thousands of pounds.

The Gibraltar Youth Service and Charlene Figueras have organised fashion shows to support sustainability by encouraging us to restyle or redesign outfits bought from the Charity Shop of Clubhouse and showcase them at the Eco Festival, and the Denim Renewed project when aspiring young designers created stunning new denim outfits which I could model for them.

I recently studied the first level of British Sign Language, because I'd like to help the local community with hearing difficulties and make a difference.

I helped restore Lord Airey's Battery as I'd like people to be able to enjoy Gibraltar's Heritage for many years to come.

I volunteered to be part of the excavation in the Gorham's Cave Complex which was a unique experience.

Fun fact about yourself?

I attend almost every event in Gibraltar as I am interested in exhibitions, plays, concerts, parades, etc. People say when I am not at an event it's either not big/interesting enough or wasn't well advertised. ;)

I have taken over 5000 tourists around Gibraltar and I am the only tourist guide who sings the National Anthem of Gibraltar at the end of many of my tours which in my opinion is a beautiful and memorable ending of an unforgettable day in an extraordinary and truly unique place such as Gibraltar. It earned me the nickname
 of ''the singing tourist guide''.

Photography: John Holmes
Location: The Eliott Hotel