SOME girls are born beautiful. And there are those who are destined to wear a crown. girls are born beautiful. And there are those who are destined to wear a crown. Ilene Astrid De Vera, the newly crowned Mutya ng Pilipinas-Asia Pacific International is meant to be a queen.
And she’s an example that there’s a perfect time for everything.Although relatively a newbie in the pageant world, her victory is an affirmation not to underestimate newbies’ dedication and will to win.
She is also another proof that the Cebuana beauty continues to shine in national pageantry. The last one who won the Mutya ng Pilipinas-Asia Pacific International title was Eva Psychee Patalinjug in 2014. As De Vera starts her reign, she is now preparing to represent the Philippines in the Miss Asia Pacific International which will be held in Manila in October.But before she went back to Manila, she spent almost a week in Cebu to catch up with family and friends before she embarking on her journey for the international title.Let’s get to know more about our newly crowned Mutya ng Pilipinas-Asia Pacific International.
Is this your first pageant?
I joined a campus competition, Miss UPCebu. But I can’t consider it as a legitimate pageant nga murag it has the same experiences I had with Mutya kay so different man competing at a national level.
How did you feel when you won the title?
Actually, I was really shocked. It was really obvious on my expression on TV because I did not expect to win. I was just hoping to do my best that night and I wanted to win the Top Model award because that’s what my life has been in Cebu, modeling. All my life here. I did not expect for the top prize to be given to me.
Tell us your experience when you arrived in Manila for the competition.
When I arrived there, I just wanted to go back home. Because when I saw other candidates they were all ready. They were physically ready and they had other stuff with them. They had experiences in pageantry. Me, I did not bring anything there. All my stuff were flown from Cebu to Manila on the day of the event that I would need those stuff. So I was really pressured. I was handpicked to represent Cebu by my mentor Jonas Borces. He is always known for bringing girls to Manila and making them win. So much pressure on my part.
How and when did you finally decide to join the pageant?
I was going through something when they told me about it. I said I just do it, mommy, I want to do something different, to distract me what I was experiencing back then. It was worth it and I took the challenge.
Among the candidates, who were you closest to?
It was Miss Tarlac because she was my seatmate sa bus and then sunod me number, she was 18. Naa siyay personality na naa sad nako. Mura man sad ni akong bayhana. Gamay ra’y difference namo ba. But all in all we acted the same way. We thought the same things.
Do you feel more pressured that Miss Asia Pacific International will be held here in the country?
So much pressure on my part because my beauty pageant life was two months old. After two months I will be competing again. I really have to catch up so many things like sa I need to rain on my walk, how I deal with interviews, my advocacy.
Tell us more about your personality.
I won’t make you feel nervous and ilang. I am really approachable, friendly, vocal and expressive. I’m simple. I may look intimidating but I’m really not. I really want to do the first effort in making friends. I really want to talk to people. I think that’s what made me win too because out of all candidates there I was the most mature one in making a step in socializing. It’s part of the pageant that you need to be sociable.
What did you learn from the pageant?
Never give up. When you give up at some point you will regret it because you did not do your best. I was really about to give up, I was crying there. I was not prepared. It takes a huge amount of mental maturity. You will be away from home especially from other provinces and country. Just be mentally prepared. It is mind over matter.
What are some of the moments during the pageant that you look back to?
So many memories. During the swimsuit competition, it was held in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. I was excited before going there to see the place. But something came up when we had our swimsuit competition—I had my menstruation. So it ruined everything. It ruined my focus and you get cranky.
You don’t look good. That thing really brought me down during the competition. The best part was the pageant night. I wanted the day to end. “I’ll do my best that this would end. I would finally go home.” I was extended pa kay I won. I saw my mother that day.
Were you surprised by your mother?
I did not tell my mom that I was going to join. Only two of my friends that I told about the pageant. I did not want to preempt everything and too much pressure on my part. I just called some people. My mom was shocked when I told my friend to pack my things there. Because I came from Surigao before going to Manila. My layover to Cebu was just one hour. My friend just met me at the airport. My mom was at home. She was telling my mom while packing my things. My mom asked:”Asa man diay si Ilene?” Abi niya mo layas nako. “Tita, mo apil man siya’g Mutya.” Ug ni ingon akong Mama og: “Ha? Wala man siya mo sulti nako.” “Basin mauwaw siya, Tita,” my friend said. I am not mauwawon in person but mauwaw ko kay ma pressure and dako expectation mga tawo nako.
Let us talk about your winning answer during the Q and A portion. You said you wanted to portray the role if given the chance in the movie. Do you want to join showbiz?
If I have the chance I don’t think I don’t want to go to showbiz. I’ll go to media since I finished Mass Communication. My ultimate idol is Karen Davila. I know it’s very big dream but if you work your way to it then it will come to you. I’m just waiting for the right time, right connections, building experience. It’s not that far. I’m already at this point and I just have to do my best.
Did you dream to become a beauty queen?
I looked up to these women (beauty queens). They look so perfect. This was when the Philippines started being in the spotlight of Miss Universe. During Venus Raj’s time. She was big news back then. I idolized them but I did not see myself being interviewed. I just wanted to become a model, wear clothes, and have my make-up.
If you were not into modelling, what do you think would you be?
I want to be a broadcaster. I want to do a feature. I want to have a travel show.
Do you love to travel? I love to travel when it’s free. (Laughs) Who does not want di ‘ba?
For domestic destinations, I want to go Siargao and Batanes. For international kay I want to go to Japan, South Africa and Santorini, Greece.
Before Mutya, were you also asked to join other national pageants?
You just wait for the opportunity. Sometimes you just can’t join in. Sometimes you don’t shine in the local scene but you will shine the national scene. Ayaw lang pugsa ang moment.
What’s your beauty routine?
Every day after the shower, I put moisturizer. You should not skip that to have a good skin. At night, take off all your make-up.
So, you know how to do your own make-up?
Yes, dugay na. When I started modeling I learned how to do my make-up. There are some events nga walay make-up artists. Hilig ko magpa gwapa but dili ko hilig mo palit og make-up. I don’t own those expensive make-up brands. Okay ra nako ang mga chipipay. Naa ra na sa pag apply. You should know the best for you. Your skin type, imong color.
Did you prepare for the question and answer?
I try not to. Everybody was backstage, reading their notebooks. That’s not the right thing to do before the question and answer portion. Your mind will be full of words. You don’t know what to say na. That’s my rule. Not to read 30 minutes or an hour before the interview.
What do you do during free time?
On my free time. I love to sleep. Dako kaayo kog eyebags pag bata nako. Kanang bata pa ka, stressed naka. I try to be updated about what’s happening. I’m on the internet, reading blogs and articles. Anything under the sun. I just love to learn. Mag kawat-kawat sad ko og tulog even during the competition.
What’s your philosophy on beauty?
Just be yourself. Because there are so many out there who want to be the best. You can’t be those people you idolize but you can be yourself. Do great! You are all beautiful. You just need to be good of what you do. Be honest to yourself.