QUEENTESSENCE MWP PRELIMINARY HOT PICKS

The Miss World Philippines 2012 list of candidates compared to last year’s edition is two notches higher in terms of the quality of the girls that qualified. There were quite a few faces that were seen during previous national pageants but there were also quite a number of new faces that attract attention not only because of the heights but because of real standout features. It would seem that this year, the MWP is the pageant to look forward to in terms of the eminence of the candidates. I just hope that they upped their ante for the pageant proceedings as last years’ pageant had very awkward moments and it is simply a bore. Now let us look at our preliminary picks for MWP:

X-FACTOR PERSONIFIED: This describes Candidate Number 8 – Maham Ahmed. This girl really stands out. From the second group of 5, she stood out among the rest. With such a beautiful face and smile, she is simply exceptional.

QUEENLY DEMEANOR AND POISE: Rizzini Alexis Gomez is Candidate Number 9 who is simply resplendent. It is such a wonder why this girl did not qualify in this year’s Binibining Pilipinas. She is MWP’s gain as she is now an official candidate. Despite Rizzini’s demeanor however, her stylist should look into the best presentation for her because too heavy make-up ruins her total look.

SIMPLE BUT ALLURING:  Candidate Number 10 is Larah Grace Lacap. She exudes simplicity but it is in this quality that she attracts attention of the viewers. She looms as the dark horse in this pageant.

SULTRY AND SOPHISTICATED: Candidate Number 13, Mary Rose Misa evokes sophistication and earthiness. This lady graced the other national pageant and had show a great performance but managed only a semifinalist slot. With this new packaging, will she be able to transform herself into a winner? My thoughts on her? She should tone down her projection as Miss World seems to choose girls with somewhat conservative leanings.  

REFRESHING AND CHARMING: Candidate Number 14 is Mariver Ocampo. Mariver is a breath of fresh air. She has a very charming and beautiful face. Her charms command attention and this makes her hold her ground even though she is next to a formidable foe in the person of Mary Rose Misa.

SIMPLE AND YET FASCINATING: Brenna Gamboa is Candidate Number 16 carried the sash of the USA East Coast in the Miss Philippines-Earth 2011 and ended only as a semi-finalist. Then she won and represented the country in the Miss World University in Korea in the same year. She followed her participation in the Miss World Supermodel in Fiji where she ended as First Runner-up. This means that Brenna’s beauty is no fluke as she can be very competitive in international pageants.

LOW-KEY BUT NEVERTHELESS ENTHRALLING: Candidate Number 17 is April Love Jordan who is a pageant veteran. Tucked in her belt is the Beauty of the World crown in which she won when she participated in the Miss International Beauty and Model Festival in China in 2009. While she carries an unassuming stance, this candidate is a bet of almost everyone because she metamorphoses into a beautiful swan when she is on the runway.

SERENE AND YET VIBRANT: Candidate Number 19 is Marie Loraine Dione De Guzman. Loraine’s countenance in the swimsuit segment during the presentation seems to indicate that she is at par with the touted frontrunners. Her presentation in the gown segment is truly indicative of energy and effervescence. She is a candidate to watch out for.

ENDEARING AND TRANSFORMED: Fer Mary Baliquig is Candidate Number 21 and I was surprised to see her beautiful metamorphosis. If she had been transformed into this beautiful swan during her stint in the last Binibining Pilipinas, she should have been a shoo-in for the Top 12. But this time it seems like Fer Mary pulled all her stops and came out gorgeous and captivating. She is now a force to reckon with this time.

STUNNING AND REMARKABLE: Queenie Rehman is Candidate Number 22. In her previous outing at the Binibining Pilipinas, she is already a stand-out. She possesses a very queenly demeanor. It is no surprise to see her with so much élan during the evening gown and swimsuit presentation because she is literally a queen in the ramp. With such an exotic face, good body and queenly demeanor, Queenie appears to be the leader of the pack. 

TOP 5 PICKS: 22, 8, 13, 17, 16

Photo Credits: OPMB and Missosology

EDITORIAL

NEW EARTH MAIDENS CROWNED

By Raphael Porciuncula

In a ceremony befitting pomp, glitz and glamour, Miss Philippines-Earth 2012 was crowned at the SM Mall of Asia Center Stage last April 27, 2012. Five lovely ladies of varying convictions and persuasions but they were united in their purpose of saving Mother Earth. They were crowned to represent the different elements of our planet and one that signifies the need for ecological balance in tourism. The Top 3 winners were known pageant participants in the past while the last two winners are neophytes in the national pageant scene.

Crowned Miss Philippines-Earth 2012 is Miss Quezon City, Stephany Dianne Stefanowitz, a 22-year old, model, designer and singer-host with Filipino-German heritage. She commands attention of everyone not only because of her fair skin and mestiza beauty but also because of height. She towers at around 5’10-1/2” Miss Stefanowitz, participated in the 2010 edition of the pageant wherein she represented Butuan City and managed to be among the Top 10 semi-finalists. She was not lucky though and this time, she represented Quezon City and she took the title this time with a Special Award of Best in Evening gown to boot. She believes that beauty queens should not only be epitome of beauty but also vanguards in the protection of the environment. As the chosen one, she is there to lead in educating and informing the populace in the preservation and protection of our environmental resources.

Miss Philippines-Air, 2012 is Glennifer Perido who represented the City of Tabuk, Kalinga. Glennifer’s mother is from Pinukpuk, Kalinga and her father is from San Pablo City, Laguna. Hence, if you look at the pageant biography of Glennifer, her titles which started in 2009 were Miss San Pablo City, Miss Laguna, and Flores de Laguna. She is also Miss STAWD (Southern Tagalog Association of Water Districts)  in the same year. In 2011, Glennifer tried her aces at the Binibining Pilipinas but with no luck. She joined the contest at Miss Casino Filipino  2011 and finished runner-up. She was also tapped to represent the country at the Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International. This year, Glennifer topped the total score sheet of the challenges that the candidates of the Miss Philippines-Earth 2012 had. However, many felt that she is not up for the bigger challenge as they put her lower in rank. But she proved her detractors. She was able to ventilate her thoughts in the Question and Answer segment of the pageant and she almost did it. She was the Air Maiden in this year’s pageant edition.

Our Water Maiden is another alumna of the Binibining Pilipinas 2011 and Miss World Philippines 2011 – Miss Samantha Purvor of San Juan City. Samantha was chosen as Miss Friendship at the Binibining Pilipinas and one of the semifinalists at the Miss World Philippines. This time when she joined the Miss Philippines-Earth Beauty Pageant, she was a recipient of different special awards and thus was one of the early favorites to win the crown. Samantha is full of vigor and fluidity and thus she is a very appropriate winner for this title.

She breathes fire like that of a dragon but with gentility. Miss Puerto Princesa City, Thoreen Halvorsen was adjudged as the Fire Maiden of the year’s pageant. She was the surprise of the Top 5 as most pundits did not have her name in most listing. Thoreen’s name indicates to everyone that she has foreign blood running in her veins. A quick look to the Halvorsen name in the internet indicates that she is of Norwegian heritage?  Well, Thoreen advocates renewable energy and as a 19-year old tourism student she would like to exact a balance between touristic activities and preservation of the beauty of nature. She expounds her thoughts on this by saying what is there for tourism if the environment has been totally destroyed by man’s folly. This lady also wants to be a lawyer someday.

This year’s winner of the Miss Philippines-Earth Eco-Tourism is from the vintage city in the north, Vigan City and she is Miss Mary Candice Ramos, a 24-year old Tourism student of the University of the Philippines. Just recently, Candice was crowned as Saniata ti Ylocos Environment in Vigan, Ilocos in a pageant last February 13, 2012. (Saniata means Miss). This paved the way for Candice to represent Vigan City in the Miss Philippines-Earth Beauty Pageant and be crowned this time as the Miss Eco-Tourism. Candice advocates the use of social media for the furtherance of issues regarding sustainable energy. 

Stephany Dianne, the winner of this local search will represent the Philippines on October 18, 2012 in Jakarta, Indonesia for the Miss Earth Beauty Pageant. See you in Jakarta this October.

Photo Credits: Miss Philippines-Earth.com

MISS PHILIPPINES-EARTH 2012: A DÉJÀ VU?

by Jetset Alejandro

I have looked forward to the airing of Miss Philippines-Earth 2012 at TFC a day after the pageant was held as I am out of the country and cannot watch the live proceedings of the pageant. It feels like déjà vu watching it. To acquaint some of the readers about the meaning of déjà vu, it means “already seen” or having experienced it some other time. Well, it really seems it is. Why do I say it? The scoring system is patterned after the Miss World Contest that I have watched in recent times. The challenges are different and varied as seen in this pageant. And the winner, it seems like I have seen a similar winner in the Miss World Philippines pageant who eventually became First Princess in the Miss World 2011. And lastly, it was boring and to say the least, the Miss World Beauty Pageant bored me to death. However this pageant was just a notch higher as it bored me only to the brink of death.

Let me painstakingly make a run down of what the pageant was all about:

THE VENUE AND THE STAGE:

The venue is at the SM Mall of Asia Center Stage. It is the latest offering of SM for its entertainment arm. Considered the top of the entertainment areas at present, we were in awe how grand and spacious the stage was. There was not much stage design seen but I surmised the interplay of the lights was supposed to take over the grandeur but it did not.

THE PRODUCTION NUMBER:

We were introduced to a dazzling jazz number by selected dancers (probably ABS-CBN dancers) when we saw the entrance of the first set of candidates with similar outfits and with a blue shoulder shawl. Then they were followed by other candidates with similarly colored outfits but this time with no shoulder shawls. The candidates gyrated onstage and swayed their hands and simply, there was not much variation or excitement created by the production number. I just felt that the production number should be an imprimatur to the big bang ahead but nay, it just created a ripple. Add to this is the camera panning which lacks focus and clarity and of course, the lighting which makes us difficult to discern what is happening onstage. I have this complaint about lighting during the Miss Earth 2011 and Binibining Pilipinas 2012 production and yet ABS-CBN does not seem to listen to gripes from spectators on TV like us. They should up their ante concerning this in order to satisfy their viewing customers. In any way, it should always be the dictum, “the customer is always right.”

THE HOSTS:

We were introduced to the hosts of the pageant in the person of Marc Nelson, Rovilson Fernandez and Ginger Conejero. Marc seemed detached and uninspired. Rovilson upped his vigor but he rubs the audience and Ginger tried very much to put the proceeding to a higher level and sometimes succeeds but just so-so most of the time. Further, Rovilson irks me more when he was introducing the members of the Board of Judges when he makes side-remarks after formally introducing them. Hosting decorum please for Rovilson.

THE JUDGES:

1.      Mr. Frederick Alegre –ADBOARD

2.      Gen. Lina Sarmiento –PNP Chief Superintendent

3.      Ms. Christine Cunanan – Travel life Executive Officer

4.      Mr. Joey Mendoza – Executive Officer for SM Supermarkets

5.      Miss Empress Schuck – Artist,Actress, Model Philippines

6.      Mr. Bryan McClelland – Fil-Am Socio-Ecological Entrepreneur

7.      Mr. Raffy Chico- Best Western Premier Manager

8.      Ms. Shalani Soledad-Romulo –Valenzuela City Councilor

9.      Hon. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel – Senator, Republic of the Philippines

10.   Ms. Rachel Grant –Actress, TV Model Host

11.   Ambassador Extraordinaire of Indonesia to the Philippines – H.E. Kristiato Llegogo

THE SWIMSUIT ROUND

All the candidates paraded in their swimsuits. It seemed like eternity seeing all the 47 candidates parading in front of the audience. Since all the candidates needed to be presented in their swimwear, there is no clear focusing on the particular candidates. The lighting and panning are again very wanting. After the swimsuit round, the first set of finalists was announced and they are as follows:

1.      Miss San Juan City – Samantha Purvor

2.      Miss Negros Oriental – Glenna Duch

3.      Miss San Francisco, Cebu – Princess Leiza Manzon

4.      Miss Tabuk City – Glennifer Perido

5.      Miss Puerto Princesa City – Thoreen Halvorsen

THE EVENING GOWN COMPETITION

The girls again paraded in their evening gowns. As the girls are sashaying in their evening gowns, the group of 4 ABS-CBN talents (Boys are Boys) performed. I really don’t understand why they have to allow this travesty. At the outset, the boys came out flat on their song and they never recovered till the end. It is disaster at my end and again, it irked me just like having Rovilson as one of the hosts for the pageant. After the evening gown parade, the next set of 5 was announced as follows:

6.      Miss Quezon City – Stephany Dianne Stefanowitz

7.      Miss Fil-Belgium – Roxanne Corluy

8.      Miss Muntinlupa City – Kathleen Subijano

9.      Miss Indang Cavite – Jaydielou Dilidli

10.   Miss Vigan City –Mary Candice Ramos

THE QUESTION AND ANSWER PORTION

We saw all the candidates in Tan Gan’s gowns which were pretty beautiful and elegant. Let us have a run down again of how the girls answered:

1. Samantha Purvor was asked how fun was San Juan City? She answered that people in San Juan City are warm, loving and compassionate. She went further by trying to beat around the bush. Oh oh. Hmmmm….Seems like the crown is not for her.
2. Glenna Duch of Negros Oriental was asked what the causes of climate change are. Well she gave an answer and went further how we can overcome climate changes. She was eloquent though but I don’t know how the judges would find her answer.
3. Princess Leiza Mazon of San Francisco, Cebu was asked what type of renewable energy she recommends the country would use. She answered it should be solar energy because as a tropical country we are blessed with the sun all year round. She wanted to say more but because she heard the bell, it seems like she would like to expand her answer more. But in reality, she had nailed the answer only that she gave an uncertain look after she answered.
4. Glennifer Perido was asked about the environment suffering from the results of economic development. What can she say about it? She said, a country needs to be developed for the betterment of the people but it should not be at the expense of the environment. The pros and cons of a project should be discussed and that its effects in the environment should be tackled. She said that if we lose the environment, the future will not be good.
5. Thoreen Halvorsen of Puerto Princesa was asked about a question about the Underground River’s being adjudged as one of the New 7 wonders of the world. What does she think be done to protect the place so that future generations can enjoy the place? She said the government in Puerto Princesa is doing everything to make the place sustainable and that only 500 tourists per day will be allowed to see the place.
6. Stephany Dianne Stefanowitz of Quezon City was asked if she had any super powers what would it be and how will this super power help preserve Mother Earth. She answered that she would like to have a super power to clean the environment so that the future generation can have a clean place to live in.
7. Fil-Belgium’s representation, Roxanne Colruy said she will push forward environmental concerns as part of her projects when asked what she can do as a winner of the pageant. She said other things but I was not able to pick it up since most the candidates seem to rush their answers because of the 30 seconds limit to answer the question.
8. Kathleen Subijano of Muntinlupa City was asked how will she teach the children about environmental preservation and she quipped that it is really important to start with the children and she has a niece for whom she can start teaching the ways of protecting the environment.
9. Miss Indang in the person of Jaydielou Dilidli was asked what she had learned about joining the pageant. She remarked that she learned about the concept of sustainability. And that we should look at sustainable and renewable sources of energy.
10. Lastly, Miss Vigan City Mary Candice Ramos was asked about the biggest environmental problem and what she thinks is the answer to this problem. She answered about sustainability and she enumerated a barrage of answers and made it difficult for me to follow her trend of thought but she seemed so confident of her answers and quite eloquent.

THE FAREWELL WALK

Outgoing Athena Imperial made her last walk as Miss Philippines-Earth and she did it in the Tagalog language. She was followed by her court after. It was supposed to be a touching gesture but it seemed like a put on to me. I wonder though.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF WINNERS:

The announcement was quick. After the 10 finalists answered the questions, the 5 winners were announced from them. In previous selections, a Top 5 was called and they were asked same question from where the eventual winners are crowned. The following are the winners:

            Miss Philippines-Eco-Tourism : Miss Vigan City

            Miss Philippines-Fire: Miss Puerto Princesa City

            Miss Philippines-Water: Miss San Juan City

            Miss Philippines-Air: Miss Tabuk City

            Miss Philippines- Earth: Miss Quezon City

TIDBITS:

1. My personal Top 5 were Vigan City, Pagadian City, San Juan City, Tabuk City and Quezon City. I correctly predicted 4 in the Top 5 with almost the same ranking except Pagadian City. I don’t know why Puerto Princesa was out of my radar. The reason probably is that her pictures do not do her justice. One of our writers even questioned her inclusion as one of the finalists in the evening gown competition. But come to think about it, watching her last night at TFC I must admit I overlooked her qualities. Note that the winning Top 5 came from the cities.
2. As to the Top 10, I correctly predicted 8 out of 10. As told earlier, Pagadian City is one of my favorites. I see in her a diva from her looks alone. Can this be the reason why she was eased out of the Top 10? Another personal favorite is Miss Cabugao. Miss San Francisco, Cebu placed in the Top 10 instead.
3. I don’t know if the reason of announcing the first five of semi-finalists after the swimsuit round is just for novelty. I don’t see any other reason. Then the other five is after the evening gown round. Is it to underscore the fact that Miss San Juan City topped the swimsuit round and then the evening gown was topped by Miss Quezon City? Well, for one, I find the process so disjointed and it did not appeal to me. I would have preferred that the ten girls were announced after the production number and they compete for the swimsuit and evening gown rounds. Then a casual interview is done to select the Top 5 and from where they are asked a final question.
4. Every year, there are innovations into the Miss Philippines-Earth Beauty pageant and since there is no consistency, pageant observers do not know what to expect. This is good in a sense since everyone is kept on guessing what it would be for a particular year. But these innovations sometimes put the organization in question because of their penchant for change. Take for example last year where only 10 candidates mattered during the final pageant and thus, eventually crowning someone that pageant fans dislike.  In fairness though, the organization was transparent about their scoring system for the challenges that would constitute preliminary scores plus their scores with the pre-judging panel. However, they should have placed a percentage of how much will come from the challenge scores and how much will come from the pre-judging interview and personality scores. I am saying this because a lot are questioning Miss Mandaluyong’s inclusion in the Top 10 because she only garnered a score of 74 in the challenges and there were quite a number that had a higher score than her.
5. The Miss Philippines-Earth season just came after the heels of the Binibining Pilipinas Beauty pageant and that after the Binibini season, it zaps out pageant fans energy and enthusiasm. Truth to tell, our interest with Miss Philippines-Earth has dampened not only a bit but to some extent. The town/province representation should be more strengthened but candidates which are of better and of international caliber should be chosen. I still prefer the regional representations. The candidates are better chosen in the regionals.

Photo Credits: Miss Philippines-Earth.com, ABS-CBN

REGIONAL FEATURE: A TIT FOR TAT WITH MISS LA UNION 2012

by Airwind Bautista

In a tally of how many beauty queens the different regions have produced, Central Luzon, particularly Pampanga tops the list. Unknown to many however, Northwestern Luzon had approximately equaled their number of national beauty queens and La Union had its share of the glory. In 1970, a youthful lady from San Juan, La Union in the person of Carmencita Cita Hufano Avecilla was crowned Binibining Pilipinas Young International and landed second runner-up in the international pageant in Japan. In 1979, Criselda Dang Cecilio was crowned Bb. Pilipinas-Universe. Criselda’s mother is from the big Flores clan of San Fernando City. In the same vein, Miss Denille Valmonte, Binibining Pilipinas-International 2006 traces her roots in Bacnotan, Union. The triumphs of Shamcey Supsup whose maternal grandparents are from Bauang, La Union as well as Janine Tugonon whose father is from Aringay, La Union is now tilting the balance towards Ilocana beauties. 

Miss Shamcey Supsup's maternal grandparents are from Bauang, La Union and Janine Tugonon's father is from       Aringay,  La  Union

But La Union prides itself further from her beauty history. Aside from Gloria Diaz of Aringay, the two Miss Philippines -Universe of  2011 and 2012, other Ilocanas made their mark in national beauty consciousness and to name them, we have  Mutya ng Pilipinas World, 1990 Antonette Ballesteros, Bb. Pilipinas - World 2001 Gilrhea Quinzon, Miss Philippines Tourism-World  2004 - Sheryl Lou Dacanay Franco, Miss Philippines- Eco-Tourism  2004 Keithly Ann Campos and Miss Philippines Eco-Tourism 2007 - Anna Katrina Bautista . Others made similar attempts and created an impact on the national consciousness.

Cita Avecilla - San Juan  Criselda Cecilio - San Fernando City  Denille Valmonte- Bacnotan    Gilrhea Quinzon - Bacnotan/San Fernando City  Antonette Ballesteros - Bauang, La Union Sheryl Lou Franco - Aringay  Keithly Ann Campos - Agoo  and Ana Katrina Bautista - Rosario/San Fernando City

Significantly, the two Miss Universe Queens trace their heritage in the Northern Provinces. - Gloria Aspillera Diaz of Aringay, La Union, Miss Universe 1969 and Maria Margarita Roxas Moran of Rosales, Pangasinan, Miss Universe 1973. Gloria Diaz’ victory was not only well-received by the country but also by her province when she received a hero’s welcome from the Province of La Union led by then Governor of La Union & later on Associate Chief Justice of the Supreme Court- Juvenal Guerrero.

Gloria Diaz of Aringay, La Union and Margie Moran of Rosales, Pangasinan heritage

The point of this article is that in the recent past, La Union is making a impression in the beauty pageant arena. Last March 2, 2012, La Union crowned her own Mutia (means Lady or Miss in Ilocano) in the person of Aiyana Camille "AJ" Mikiewicz. Many would probably be surprised with her last name. In reality she is of Fil-Chinese-Polish-Ukrainian descent but she is very Filipino is upbringing having grown all of her life in the country.The latest holder of the title has a string of beauty titles to her name because she is so blessed with beauty, wit and charm. No one doubted her capability to win the most coveted title of “Mutia ti La Union 2012” because of her inherent qualities. Aside from being involved in modeling, socio-civic activities and participating in the regional pageant circle in Baguio City, Pangasinan, Ilocos Norte and La Union, she is also an A-student at the St. Louis University in Baguio City. 

Tucked in her belt are different pageant titles like Miss Dagupan Fashionista 2010; Miss San Carlos City Catwalk Diva Fashionista 2011; Miss Pnagbenga 2011; Miss Agoo, La Union 2011; Miss Silka Baguio 2011; Miss Laoag City International 2012 and Miss Magic 2012. It is not surprising therefore that she has gained a lot of following and admirers in the pageant world. With a beautiful frame and an acceptable height of 5’6-3/4”, she is being groomed to try her luck in the national level.

Dagupan Fashionista 2010 and Catwalk Diva 2011

This writer sent Miss La Union 2012 a set of questions to answer and for them to know her more – her aspirations, dreams and motivations. Here’s our interview with her:

1. When did you discover that you have the inclination of joining a pageant?

"It wasn't until my 3rd pageant Miss Panagbenga 2011, that I realized I wanted to go ahead and go further with it and see if I could go all the way to national pageants. I honestly never saw myself being in pageants before because I have this "boyish" factor as others say. I'm definitely very thankful & blessed to be where I am at now because I know not a lot of girls my age can experience some of the things I've gone through so I'm happy & thankful to God for all the blessings He has given me."

2. What motivated you to join and eventually win pageants?

"There are many reasons why I join pageants and one of the motivations I would definitely say motivated me was my mom. Seeing the look in her eyes every time I won was priceless. Being the eldest of four and the only girl, I knew it made her proud and happy for her to tell others her only daughter is a beauty queen. I know its a rare opportunity that other moms get to say that about their daughters so she's one of the reasons behind my winnings." 

3. What is one thing that people will be surprised to know about you? Something unusual for a beauty queen like you.

"One thing I believe people will be surprised to hear about me is that I used to be a hiphop dancer way before I actually learned how to dance belly when it came to my talent competitions during pageants. It started in elementary that I would always get picked in class to be the head choreographer whenever we had dance recitals. Once I was in high school I stopped dancing for awhile and got into sports instead hence thats where I got my "boyish" style or personality from. I was a sprinter in our highschool's Varsity Track & Field Team. I still do hiphop once in awhile whenever people ask me to teach or show them. But now that Im in college I focus more on belly dancing." 

Miss Panagbenga 2011 and Miss Silka Baguio 2011

4. How do you deal with detractors questioning your being a FILIPINA?

"I deal with detractors questioning about me being a Filipina with respect. Remembering that in life we cannot always please everyone. People may have their own views/opinions but as long as I know I have my family and friends behind me and supporting me all the way in everything I do then their comments about me being a Filipina isn't a big deal to me. I'm just happy to be proud of who I am & how far I've come in joining pageants to have made it this far. I may look like a foreigner on the outside but I am a true Filipina at heart. "

5. How do you balance your time between pageant and studies? Especially if your pageant is during school days?

"One of the ways I balance my time between pageant and studies is that I inform my instructors ahead of time if I know that a pageant of mine will interfere with my school days specially if I have a quiz or exam that day. I always request to my instructors if I can go ahead and take it in advance or if not ask to take a special one after my pageant to make up for what I've missed. "

6. What is the essence of finishing a degree? What is your course and why did you take it up?

"Finishing a degree is very important because having the honor & pride in telling others that you've graduated whether it be a 10 yr., 4 yr. or 2 yr. course is still a big accomplishment. This is also an accomplishment where nobody can steal it away from you.I'm currently taking up BS Psychology. I am really into the whole CSI, NCIS type deal where I want to solve cases and be physically involved especially if the case has anything to do with children being physically, emotionally & mentally abused. I find human behavior & personality studies very interesting and this is why I took up Psychology. I would like to pursue my education in medical fields to become a Psychiatrist."

Miss Agoo 2011 and Miss Laoag City International 2012

7. I noticed you always have that sincere smile in your face, no matter how tired you are so how do you maintain a positive outlook despite of the stressful pageant activities?

"How I maintain my smile & positive outlook despite the stressful pageant activities is by always giving thanks back to God because of Him I would'nt be able to be apart of any of my past pageants. Even if it's rehearsals, I always smile and think of happy thoughts. This is how I am able to maintain my smile at all times."

  

8. What is your opinion to people who looks down on girls joining pageants?

"My opinion to people who looks down on girls in joining pageants is one of the least of things I have to worry about. There are plenty of reasons why girls join pageants: either to gain & boost their self confidence, being proud in showing to others the beauty God has blessed them with, and to show that they not only have the beauty but brain as well and many more. Not all girls are qualified to compete just like if you are talented in singing or dancing, won't you be proud and share it with others?"

9. What is your opinion when people react about your joining of pageants in different places?

"I usually get a positive feedback especially if they find out that I have already won in a certain place. However, there are still people who are not aware that there are invitational pageants, meaning you technically don't have to be residing in that area or have family roots in order to join; it is open to anyone as long as you meet the other qualifications. Every pageant I joined had screenings and my handler made sure that I meet all the qualifications before even joining the pageant."

10. What is your notion about pageants before you join one of them?

"Usually for me before getting into another pageant I always pray to God. Once I pass the screening I make sure that I do not let my ego over ride my personality. I would always remain humble and act like as if its my first pageant again. By doing this, none of the other candidates can say that I am unapproachable or not friendly. I am not only there to go for the crown but also to make new friends."

Miss La Union 2012 and Miss Magic 2012

11. What are your passions and what motivated you to pursue it?

"I have a lot of passions in life. My current passion right now is to finish college and continue with my medical degree in becoming a Psychiatrist. Once I've accomplished this I would like to open an organization for abused children. It's one of the main reasons why I took up Psychology in the first place. I want to help children who are physically, emotionally & mentally abused. What motivates me further to pursue this is that seeing the children smile would make a lot of difference in their lives. I believed that this is my calling to do in life, helping children who are less fortunate and making sure that I put a smile not only on their face but in their hearts."

12. As far as I am concerned, you are one of the intelligent and beautiful beauty queens thus what is the biggest failure you have and how did you face it?

"I would not consider it as one of my biggest failure but one of the opportunities handed to me that I didn't take for granted. This opportunity was the chance in getting to know my biological father. I've done all I can in trying to get in contact with him but...... All I can say is that at least I've tried. I face this just by accepting where I am in life without him and being happy where I am right now. I know that God allowed these things to happen for a reason and I have no right to question Him but just to follow because He is the light of my life."

13. I noticed that you got a supportive family so if you will make a tribute to your family, especially your mother, what will it be all about?

"If I were to make a tribute to my family especially to my Mom, I would like to make a clip or powerpoint presentation and show it off at a huge dinner party inviting other family, relatives and friends for all to see. This is one of the ways I can show everyone especially my Mom of how grateful & thankful I am for all the undying support, love, & sacrifices she's done for me since day one of my first pageant. To make a clip of taken photos and videos that she's taken and put them together for everyone to watch is something I know she will be very touched and happy to see that I acknowledge all the things she does for me. And one thing that touches me every time she says it before our proper pageant starts is, " Anak, win or loss you will always be my winner." One of these days I have to make this party happen."

14. How do you value your supporters and what can you do for them to as a gratitude to their support?

"I value my supporters by maintaining my communication with them through facebook on my fan page: Aiyana Camille "AJ" Mikiewicz.  

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Aiyana-Camille-AJ-Mikiewicz/220315234645440. 
Thanking and greeting them every time they leave me a comment on a photo or video of mine. Acknowledging how blessed I am to have supporters like them behind me every time they know I'm in another pageant. It amazes me sometimes that even thou most of them I've never met before but they have heard my name through other friends, relatives or even on TV (that they've seen me get interviewed a couple of times) they still support me all the way. 

One of the ways I get involved with my fans to show them I appreciate all the comments they write me is by writing them back on my page or if I do see them in person to take a picture with them. By this they can show others that I am friends with them and at the same time I can break the stereotype of beauty queens not being friendly in person. "

15. As I am aware of, you already went to Manila to meet a team to assist you in your way to clinch a national title, so kindly share some teaser about it, a teaser that will surely make your supporters be excited.

"Wow, I'm surprised how fast news got around but yes recently I was in Manila and have already met up with the team that will be willing to train me in preparation for the Binibining Pilipinas 2013. It was so funny because we had our first dinner meeting at Shangri-La then the following day I had my pictorial taken right away along with two other candidates who the team took as well to train for this year’s Ms. World Philippines 2012. It was so much fun working with them. Recently the team texted me and said all the photos turned out to be great and that they can't wait for me to see them again. My handler, mom and I will be meeting up with the team again to further plan future events that I need to accomplish before this November. I will definitely keep everyone up to date on what happens to me step by step as the days get closer of the actual pageant. "

16. What does being Mutia ti La Union had brought to your life?

"Being Mutia Ti La Union 2012 has opened so many doors of opportunities for me. I can't thank enough to all those who were responsible for making me and believing in me to become apart of such an event. This is another blessing I'm very greatful and thankful to experience in order for me to reach my goals in life." 

17. A message to your supporters?

"To all my supporters, I can't thank you enough for all the love and support you've been showing me.. Whether its a simple click of LIKE on my pictures and videos I upload on Youtube & Facebook, or to leaving me a comment on my wall. I truly appreciate all the love you guys show me. If it weren't for you I wouldn't be where I am today. I hope & pray that you will never get tired of supporting me. If I do make it to the nationals and international pageant, I will not only make you proud but the whole Philippines proud by doing my best in this next journey God had set ahead for me in my life. You will always be apart of my life and will always be greatful for all your undying support.

Remember to always give thanks to God. If at the moment you are going through a tough time whether it be with family or friends I want to leave you with one of my favorite bible verses from Ephs.3:16

"That He Would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthed with power through His Spirit into the inner man"

Whenever I'm down and feel all hope is lost. I always look back at this verse and remember what God's purpose is for me in life. I hope this will also help you too, He may not answer our prayers right away but in time we will see His work be done in our lives."

The question and answer portion is wrapped-up but what is left is such an amazing words emitting from a rising beauty queen, and it is really such an admirable  asset since it is very rare that a beauty queen will be so witty and amiable. Her charming smile will really make you admire her more but to know you are conversing with someone so smart is indeed a great thing to happen.

It is then a part of the prayer brigade of her supporters and pageant fanatics to wish the best for her and victory for an ILOCANA to clinch a title. The pressure is so high but no matter what will happen, she will indeed stay in the hearts of the ILOCANOS as the Rising Beauty Queen of the North who captivated them, not just thru her beauty and wit but also how good and beautiful person she is, who is wearing a crown not just on her head but also in her heart that radiates  her real beauty which is all about remaining as the humble girl who is a rising beauty queen.

Photo Credits: Airwind Bautista, I-biz Balaoan, Veestarz, BPCI, Misso Info, Miss Philippines-Earth, Joseph Tagle Photography

Editor's Note.: Mr. Airwind Bautista is from Sudipen, La Union and is a pageant enthusiast who is into photography and events organizing. He is also a training facilitator. He used to work as a guidance counselor and an educator and was connected before with Ann Harbor Montesorri at Binan, Laguna, Risen Christ Catholic School in Silang Cavite and Child Development Center of the Cavite State University in Indang Cavite. We highly appreciate this article about Miss La Union 2012 from him. We hope other contributors will follow suit and consider articles for posting at our blogspot. Again thank you very much.