At first glance one would think pageants are shallow affairs focused mainly on good looks and nothing else. But are they really just that?
According to some of this year’s Binibining Pilipinas bets, it’s an unfair assumption, maintaining there is more to it than meets the eye.
Candidate Anna Carres De Mesa shares, “It’s actually a lot of hard work. Like, just the other day, we had a shoot that lasted for some 13 hours! But we’re not complaining. We all have our advocacies and we are braving the trials and challenges that come with joining the pageant just so people would learn about it. Like me, I'm very passionate about learning and education. I believe that everyone deserves an equal opportunity to be well educated. So, you know, joining Bb. Pilipinas could help highlight that.”
“Yes, that’s mainly the reason why we joined,” intones Diana Mackey. “We all want to put a spotlight on our respective advocacies and we believe being in Binibining Pilipinas would be a great help in doing that.
Diana, on her part, is all about protecting women and children against violence.
“It is something that's really close to my heart because I've experienced physical abuse myself as a teen," she says. "And I really don’t want women, girls to go through the same. I want to help empower them.”
Stacey Daniella Gabriel is already making inroads as actress but she joined Bb. Pilipinas to help create more awareness relating mental health issues.
“I took this leap of faith dipping my toes into pageantry to create more consciousness concerning mental health. I have struggled with it so I told myself coming into this that if I could impact one life, one mental health warrior’s life that would be more than enough.”
She adds, “Hindi po puro glam ang pageantry. Hindi siya puro glitz, glamor. Mahirap siya. You have to be immensely committed. Hindi lang puro beauty, you have to have something deeper, more meaningful to offer. You have to be able to inspire others.”
Indeed, inspiring other women is huge among this year’s candidates including Patricia Samantha Go.
She says, “Even while in grade school I already wanted to be a beauty queen. Why? Because I want to share my story and inspire people.”
Patricia describes herself a “miracle baby,” surviving a condition known as gastroschisis.
She explains, ‘Babies with gastroschisis need surgery after birth to put the organs inside the body and close the hole in the abdominal wall. Surviving the challenge was a big deal for me and my parents so, I just want to inspire people that despite difficulties, one can still pursue their dreams. That with dedication and perseverance and hard work, we can achieve all the things that we are dreaming of.”
“It’s also a good opportunity to learn,” adds candidate Yllana Marie S. Aduana. “Like, right now, for example. Visiting the Manila Bulletin is something I never thought I would get to do. It’s fascinating because it’s among the oldest newspapers in circulation and seeing and meeting the people behind it and touring the whole building is so exciting.”
Pageants are also about establishing lasting bonds.
“Yeah, we learn a lot about that here like the value of friendship, camaraderie,” Joanna Marie Rabe notes, sharing how she has bonded with her fellow candidates.
She relates, “Like when we visited a resort recently for a shoot. We didn’t have like a makeup artist or stylist present so we helped fix each other. We are each and everyone’s support system. There is genuine ‘sisterhood’ among us and it’s so much fun.”