Here’s a confession: my eight-year-old dream came true last Tuesday, January 17 and my job has something to do with it.
I was eight years old when Charlene Gonzales represented the Philippines in the 1994 Miss Universe pageant. Hopes were high for Charlene to win that year. She won Best National Constume and landed in the Top 6 candidates.
When she didn’t make it to Top 3, I turned my loyalty to India’s bet, 19-year-old Sushmita Sen. She was pretty, charming, witty. I didn’t like Colombia and Venezuela who were early favorites (and later landed in the Top 3 with Colombia as first runner-up and Venezuela going home with a second runner-up finish) so I cheered for India to win. Her answer to the now proverbial question on the essence of a woman was endearing. Sush said: “Just being a woman is God’s gift that all of us must appreciate. The origin of a child is a mother, and is a woman. She shows a man what sharing, caring and loving is all about. That is the essence of a woman.”
I was hooked after that.
Twenty-three years and several pounds after, I found myself standing at the lobby of Jpark Island Resort and Waterpark in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu where the swimsuit presentation of the 65th Miss Universe pageant will be held. Pia Wurtzbach, who represented the Philippines in the 2015 Miss Universe pageant pulled all the stops and coordinated with the Miss Universe Organization, the Philippine Goverment and its private sector to make the hosting of Miss Universe 2016 possible.
Read the stories here:
There are 86 candidates in this year’s edition, each of them beautiful in their own right. My personal favorites are USA, Venezuela, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Colombia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, France, Ecuador and Russia. I’m not a fan of Maxine Medina and she’s not in my top list but I do wish her well and will cheer for her on the 30th of January as the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Yes, I’m flying to Manila and secured tickets for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Last Tuesday was a long coverage marked by long hours of standing, hunger, discrimination and weak, if not absent, Internet connection.
I can write an entire post ranting about the shortcomings of the organizers or how the local media were treated. But I choose to give those who toiled long hours and sacrificed time with loved ones several pats on the back for making the ancillary event in Cebu a memorable visit for the ladies of the universe and their entourage. More importantly, I laud all the members of the press especially my fellow local media practitioners who took turns in uplifting each other’s spirits and for standing by each other when the going got a little bit tough.
I had two lofty dreams as an eight-year-old girl: to study at the University of the Philippines and to witness a Miss Universe pageant/event.
The first one was fulfilled in 2003 and was repeatedly realized when I decided to push through with graduate school.
The second came to fruition last Tuesday. I tried to maintain a straight face because I was never the type of person who got giddy with celebrities and politicians. In all the 11 years that I’ve worked as a journalist, most of my selfies and photos with other people involved farmers, ordinary but inspiring individuals and children. So… when I was pushed in a room where I was supposed to have a photo with the reigning Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach, I was speechless. That happens very rarely. All I can say was “Kapoy na ka?” to which she replied “O”. And then I said “thank you” and exited the room with a signed copy of a magazine.
I was not ready!
A guy named Mark (of Mugstoria) came back to The Abalone Restaurant with a signed copy of the commemorative program. I heard him say that you can just line up to get a copy. I didn’t hear him say that you have the chance to have your picture taken with Pia. So… I was plain-faced journalist who had the opportunity to have a short interaction with Pia and I don’t even have a copy of our photo because it was taken by their official photographers. See how my eight-year-old dream was fulfilled? Ha!
But I’m happy.
My eight-year-old self is happy.
I was beyond exhausted when I got home. I almost passed out in the middle of the street (literally!). I could not feel my feet. I had cramps from the long standing hours and was shaking from lack of food.
But I am happy.
I am happy to work with CDN’S lifestyle reporter Apple Taas and contributing writer/photographer Dr. Xavier Solis. Of course, the ever reliable Kuya Lito Tecson was there to capture the beautiful, traumatic and festive moments. And I gained a new friend in Paul Pepito of SunStar SuperBalita, whose lively and upbeat personality got me through until 10 p.m. We now call each other Miss Sri Lanka and Miss Ghana. I can discuss in person why and how this happened. 🙂
I will be bold to predict that Maxine will end up in the Top 5. But I am not expecting a back-to-back win or a Pia-like performance. Let’s not be too hard on Miss Medina. She is under a lot of pressure following the reign of Pia who was crowned Miss Universe plus the pageant is held in the Philippines.
Thank you Pia and all those who made it possible for Miss Universe 2016 to be held here in the Philippines. Thank you Philippine Daily Inquirer and Cebu Daily News for the opportunity to report this momentous event.
You made it possible for my eight-year-old dream to come true.
