WHAT ABOUT BEAUTY PAGEANTS? (or, why I just love beauty pageants!)
(Final. For The Bohol Sunday Post Ms. F January 7, 2007 Issue. Thanks.)
by Fiel Angeli Espejo Araoarao - Gabin
How it all started: A 13-year-old freshman had to “borrow†dresses and accessories from co-delegates (one from Mia Manuelita Mascariñas who is now Atty. Green) after she was “forced†to represent Bohol Division in the Miss Regional Secondary Schools Press Conference on the second day of the regional gathering at Larena National Vocational College (now Siquijor State College) in November 1983. She lost. How would a naïve and very shy “ugly duckling†compete with older ladies who had more years of experience? But, thanks to BNHS’ Ma’am Portia Bayron Jubac, “The Boholenian†adviser and “presscon mother,†Dr. Louis T. Palapar (BAC), Ma’am Fe Machete and Ma’am Nenita Bernido (BSAT), Ma’am Liliosa Baluma (DWC-T), other teachers and student delegates for their guidance and help. In the Nov. 1985 RSSPC at BSAT, she was second to Silliman University’s Michelle Bulaclac who was crowned Miss RSSPC. As provincial winner of the science fair essay writing contest, she was sent to the Regional Science Fair and Quiz at Saint Alphonsus Catholic School in Lapulapu City, was Bohol muse for the Miss RSFQ pageant and came home with the second runner-up and Best in Casual Wear awards (Nov. 1986). A week before the BNHS Bukang Liwayway Dance Troupe was adjudged provincial champion in the 1986 “Hadla nga Bol-anon†folkdancing competition sponsored by OIC Gov. Victor dela Serna, she delivered an oration piece written by English teacher-mentor Eva Espuelas – her ticket to the Miss Talent award and eventually, the Miss BNHS Personality ’86 title. A million thanks to the ever-gracious Ma’am Minnie Villamor Del Rosario for providing the wardrobe.
After HS graduation, upon the prodding of a BLDT colleague, the late Grace Sajulga Revil - Biloy, former PMI-Colleges Bohol PE teacher, she was one of the Miss Tagbilaran ’87 contestants. On May 9, 1987, the Leo Club of Tagbilaran then headed by Jerry Joseph A. Lim, gave her the Miss Talent trophy for her performance of “Binasuan,†her Mama Wincie’s favorite dance, while Miss Tagbilaran ’86 Suzette Clarin turned over the crown...
Indeed, there were many times of losses and gains, of defeats and triumphs in between - of being a friend or “shock absorber,’ chaperone or “alalay,†make-up artist, talent scout and trainor to a candidate; usherette, anchorwoman and the first major emceeing stint - the Miss College of Arts and Sciences, with Raul Phillip O. Gatal; as pageant choreographer, as the 7-month pregnant lady of ceremonies of Miss Teen Siquijor ’96, chair of the publicity committee, and project chairperson/coordinator of the Mutya sa Tagbilaran ’98 (won by the glamorous Jesyl Bongosia Del Rosario), TISBA Campus Girl 2000 (winner: the bemedalled BWS valedictorian Ruby Radaza Seroje), Ubi Festival Queen 2004 (winner: the very eloquent Rhiz Nova Tagsip Arenas who became Miss Bohol Sandugo 2004 ), Mutya sa Cogon 2006 (winner: songbird Jesat Cathy Jubane Duce, Bohol SK Pop Idol 2006) and many others. Then, finally as beauty pageant judge (in speaking, writing, singing, and dance contests, as well) in Bohol towns and even in Siquijor and Oriental Negros.
So, what is it about beauty pageants? A lady from the media was heard to have asked: “What is the importance of beauty pageants? Do we really need beauty pageants?†Many times we have heard of the lines “A thing of beauty is a joy forever,†“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,†and other clichés pertaining to beauty. Beauty is associated with art, vice-versa. (Art is an expression of a person’s thoughts, feelings and emotions.) I still remember Sir Eric Cañete, our Philosophy instructor at DWC-T, telling us about “truth, goodness and beauty†as among the reasons for man’s existence.
Back to the question ‘do we really need beauty pageants:’ In my own opinion, people need to personify intangible qualities or traits so the youth can see role models for them to emulate. We see courage and grace under pressure as the candidate starts to bare (introduce) herself to the audience in the production number. We can tell if she has lofty thoughts and ideals and sincerity in the Q and A portion, unless the answer is memorized. In the casual wear, swimsuit (decent cut preferred) and gown competitions, we can judge the physical attributes like the bodily figure, shape of legs, complexion and the hair. The talent showcase, of course, allows us a glimpse if the candidate can hit the right tune, execute the right movements with ease and fluidity, internalize properly a given situation, enunciate and project well a literary piece, or capture and express her thoughts in drawing, as the case may be. However, more than the appearance, what really matters is the attitude of the candidate, her dealings with other people, especially, after she wins or loses in the competition. We can tell if she is the humble victor type or the bitter loser, considering that it’s hard to handle failure. Some say failure is postponed success.
Joining or winning beauty pageants could be a stepping-stone to success, only if one possesses the right attitude and harnessed potentials. There is also the so-called “beauty with a purpose†which is precisely why the Miss World 2006 gave a big percentage to the candidate’s involvement in charitable works in the over-all rating and ranking. Aside from the usual criteria, organizers are also zooming in on the lady with the “heart†or compassion to reach out to the needy. In this context, candidates of beauty pageants should, therefore, aspire to be role models, to show what is good, right, moral and just - traits that should be possessed by the youth in these contemporary times. What do former First Lady Imelda Romualdez-Marcos (Manila beauty queen in the 1950’s), Miss International 1964 Gemma Cruz-Araneta (former Secretary of the Department of Tourism), Miss International 1970 Aurora Pijuan – Manotoc (erstwhile member of the Batasang Pambansa), Miss Universe 1973 Margarita Moran – Floirendo (influential civic leader and respected businesswoman in Mindanao) have in common? They are, to borrow the phrase of James Guadalquiver, the epitomes of timeless beauty, natural elegance, and regal pedigree. But more than that, they have redefined beauty by becoming successful compassionate leaders in their respective fields and endeavors. They have developed and exemplified the value of hard work, strength of character and most of all, faith in God. (Most of beauty pageant contestants do go to church, pray the rosary/novena or at least make the sign of the cross before competing.)
In Bohol, we have our very own Anna Maris Arcay Igpit from Panglao (this writer had the pleasure of knowing her during the Miss Bohol Sandugo 2003 and 2005 tilts) who had the honor of representing our province in the Binibining Pilipinas 2006 and the Philippines in the 56th Miss World pageant at Sala Kongresowa Auditorium, Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw, Poland.
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