Consider this as my very subjective view of the world of beauty pageants, an arena I’ve been following since I was eight years old when Charlene Gonzales delivered the now infamous question “high tide or low tide?” when asked how many islands are there in the Philippines.
Charlene lost to India’s Sushmita Sen, the latter sealing her fate to be Miss Universe 1994 when her answer to the question on the essence of a woman went: “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.”
Sush was smart, but her victory was not solely defined by her brains. Although considered an underdog in the beginning with Miss Colombia and Venezuela (1st runner-up and 2nd runner-up) gaining the places as early favorites, she rose from the ranks from strutting the best of her catwalk, posture and charm in the series of Miss Universe events.
In the last 23 years that I’ve been a pageant enthusiast, I’ve realized that an intelligent answer does not secure the top prize for a candidate. Why? Because beauty pageants are not quiz bees. There is no such thing as the lone correct answer or the most intelligent answer. Had it been the case, Janine Tugonon would have defeated Miss USA Olivia Culpo in 2012. In 2011, Shamcey Supsup would have dominated the competition, and Leila Lopez of Angola would have went home with a runner-up finish.
Or Ariella Arida in 2013, even with an English language–speaking ability that was repeatedly bashed by Filipinos, was able to deliver a logical answer to the question: “What can be done about the lack of jobs for young people starting with their careers around the world?” To which the chemistry graduate answered: “For the people who have lack of jobs, I do believe that we people should invest in education. And that is my primary advocacy, because if every one of us is educated and we’re well aware of what we are doing, we could land into jobs and could land good careers in the future. So, education is a primary source and it is a ticket for a better future.”
When Pia Wurtzbach answered the question why she deserves the Miss Universe 2015 crown, I was jumping up and down inside our little home in Montana with my children following suit.
She was witty and she was hungry. She wanted the crown so bad and you can see it not just in the Q and A portion but in all other areas of the pageant: her catwalk improved by leaps and bounds, the way she flirted with the cameras was spot on, body and posture was nowhere near her 2013 Binibining Pilipinas version. She wanted the crown so badly so she worked so hard for it. She was the best person to represent the Philippines that year, she was ready and the timing was perfect.
Now, fast forward to 2016 …
Commercial model Maxine Medina earned the right to represent the Philippines in this international beauty pageant that many have criticized as a sore attempt to cover more important issues.
Maxine is sweet. Read most beauty pageant blogs and her runway skill is listed down as her top strength. My dear “Inay” and fellow UPian, Domz Ocale, who blogs at Kattera Beauty, says he had a problem with Maxine’s styling at her send-off party. But she recovered. The Maxine that registered at the Conrad Hotel in Manila — at the beginning of this monthlong sojourn to reclaim the crown currently worn by a Philippine representative in a pageant that will be held in your home court — appeared ready for battle.
But don’t expect a Pia Wurtzbach–like performance, said Inay Domz. She will deliver in the Q and A portion. After all, she’s from the Aces & Queens beauty camp with “sisters” like Pia, Shamcey Supsup, Venus Raj and Ariella who, for sure, are giving her tips not to mention the intensive training she has been getting. I don’t think Jonas Gaffud will let Maxine’s star wane. Putting all cards on the table — with considerations on the personality of Miss USA, the strong Latina delegates from Venezuela, Mexico, Colombia plus the stronger Asian camp composed of Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia — it’s going to be a very good news if Maxine ends up in the Top 5.
Should she get an interpreter after Miss Universe 1969 Gloria Diaz and Miss Universe 1999 first runner-up Miriam Quiambao said she should consider answering the question in Filipino?
No need.
I go back to Ariella Arida’s 2013 performance. Her answer was straight, practical and logical. It was a good answer. Nobody in the international scene criticized her diction, pronunciation, enunciation or grammar.
Maxine can speak English. The grammar and pronunciation/enunciation nazis who criticize Maxine may want to reexamine the situation a little bit. Maxine can understand the question. What she needs to work on though is the organization of her thoughts. Her answer has to make sense. It has to be short, simple and witty. Not an entry in an essay-writing competition.
But then, should Maxine choose to answer in Filipino, I won’t honestly take that against her. She’ll be part of history as the first Filipino to answer in her language in an international pageant. That’s not something to be ashamed about.
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