It was June 03, 2011 (Mukha Fashion Show) when I was offered by a talent agent to join Ms. World Philippines 2011. At first, nakakatuwa kasi di ko alam na may ganung pageant pala. All I know is Bb. Pilipinas lang kasi. Then nagda-dalwang isip din ako kasi ang sabi sa akin, August na daw yung Coronation night sabi ko naman, naku wala po akong background sa modelling and never pa akong sumali sa mga major pageants like that.Tapos August na kagad?So parang 2 months preparation lang diba? Di ko kakayanin kaya mukhang malabo na. Right after the fashion show, he asked me to fill up a form and told me to wait for an email from the modeling agency. Few days later,I didn’t received any messages from them so feeling ko wala na yun. Two weeks after, I’ve seen an email regarding Ms. World asking me if I am interested to join. Nakaka-excite sya honestly so I immediately replied “Yes!” Suddenly, I’verealized that I am currently working in a corporate world and baka magka-conflict sa GSK.Of course I seek an opinion first from my family and very closed people around me (including my Boss) if I should give this a try. After consolidating their advices, finally nag-decide na akong subukan.So how,when and where did I start? I began by constantly praying this decision to the Lord and I even asked Him so many signs kung talagang worth it ba syang pasukin or kung dadalhin lang ako sa kapahamakan. One time, nag-commute ako dahil sira yung koche ko, I was just looking at the road and wala naman akong malalim na iniisip hanggang sa sunud-sunod akong nakakita ng 10 buses na may nakalagayna “She Could be You!” Nung una deadma lang, until when we approached Ever Commonwealth, naka-agaw pansin sakin yung billboard ni Cory Quirino carrying the crown. That moment, I called on Moi to share her this funny story and we were just laughing the whole day.I am just lucky lang talaga to have good friends na sinuportahan ako in preparing for the requirements. Lorie was the one who printed me a copy of the application form and si Francis naman yung nag-arrange ng photoshoot. Jean, my sister have never get tired of accompanying me in all my errands and commitments kahit na minsan pareho na kaming napapagod at napapagalitan dahil late na kami nakakauwi sa bahay.
When we went to PICC, I was told by the office sec to come back for the final screening. She asked me to bring a swimsuit, long gown and a casual wear. Right then and then, I asked my handler if did all models of Mukha got the same feedback as mine tapos ang sabi niya not all, he was happy na nakapasa ako sa preliminary screening kahit na late na akong nakapag-submit. So the big day came in,and so the disasters. Good thing, Gerard, Moi,Kim and Jean were there to back up on me. Since morning, my phone have been consistently receiving alot of goodluck messages from very closed friends na nakakaalam and it motivates me so much.
But my strong personality weakens each time I read the textmessages from my two elder sisters (Ate Mariel and Ate Ivy) whose always checking on me that moment. I’m almost crying nadin pag binabasa ko yung textmsg ni Jinjin sakin na naniniwala syang makakapasok ako sa top 25 kahit wala akong influences unlike with the other contestants.
I was just sitting quietly and patiently at the corner of the function room of Midas Hotel suddenly nabasa ko yung few phrases from Charles Swindoll’s book, telling “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God, I will strengthen you, surely I will help you..” Nung nabasa ko yun, I really felt the presence of God and alam kong anuman ang maging resulta, God wanted me to feel that it’s going be our battle, not mine, not His but ours. And so we will do this together.
When the host called my number (#25), Cory Quirino have noticed me and whispered to the judge next to her that I looked like Melanie Marquez daw. haha! Natuwa naman ako kaya lang, it was also a sad feeling that I was not given a chance to prove myself more to them since the only questions they asked were, How do you feel right now? and Do u think Beauty pageants are good? Pinaghandaan ko pa naman yung mga current events particularly RH Bill na naitanong naman sa iba at hindi sakin. Pero okay lang, atleast na-overcome ko yung tension ko and nakasagot ako ng maayos considering it’s my first time to join.
Finally, pinadaan nalang nila thru textmsg yung mga nakapasok for the final selection of candidates. Hindi na ako umasa pero I am still thankful that I have experienced joining this prestigious beauty pageant. I am still blessed that I was able to hit the Semi-Finals kahit na nanginginig pa yung mga tuhod ko nung maglakad akowhile nagro-roll yung camera ng GMA 7 and maraming press people na nakatingin sa paligid. It was really a nice experience.
Sobra and di ko inakala na sa magagawa kong mag-2pc sa harap ng maraming tao for the first time. hahaha!
If it’s not the World, then I’ll conquer the Universe. :)
