Summer is just around the corner in the Philippines, which means pageant season is coming soon.

Are you ready to join a national pageant in the Philippines this year? If yes, get ready to spend at least P500,000.00.

At the opening of Hey Pretty Aesthetic Center in SM Sta. Rosa Laguna over the weekend, Bb. Pilipinas Globe 2022 Chelsea Fernandez revealed that joining a national beauty pageant is expensive.

"Magastos ang sumali sa beauty pageant especially now more on social media. More on pasabog. Depende na lang siguro kung makakahanap ka ng sponsor, makaka-collab mo or makaka-ex-deal mo," said Chelsea. "Magastos po talaga. In addition to daily makeup, you will also pay for your dress, jewelry, and photography."

(Participating in the beauty pageant is expensive, especially now more on social media. You need to come up with more creative and attention-grabbing ideas. It just depends on whether you can find a sponsor, you can collaborate or you can do an ex-deal. It's really expensive. In addition to daily makeup, you will also pay for your dress, jewelry, and photography.)

When asked about the money her team spent, Chelsea said she spent less than one million when she entered the Binibining Pilipinas beauty pageant two years ago.

"Siguro nasa less than one million. Lahat kasi papasok eh: make-up, wardrobes, gowns, publicity. Lahat yun babayaran. 

"In my case, when I joined Bb. Pilipinas. Gumastos ako siguro ng mga P500,000. I paid for my gown, my national costume, and tickets for my family and fans. Syempre sakop mo yan eh," she admitted.

After her stint in Bb. Pilipinas pageant, Chelsea said she's ready to compete in another national pageant, but not this year.

Chelsea, 23, also encouraged pageant newbies to follow their dreams.

"Huwag silang mapagod dahil nakakapagod ang pageant. It is draining physically and mentally. Tiring din ang training so sana huwag silang mapagod. They should use their dreams to be an inspiration and just go for it," she said.

(They should not get tired because the pageant is tiring. It is draining physically and mentally. The training is also tiring so I hope they don't get tired. They should use their dreams to be an inspiration and just go for it.)

The beauty queen from Tacloban also expressed her happiness for her friends who will compete in the Miss Universe Philippines beauty pageant.

"Some of my friends are joining Miss Universe Philippines. I'm happy for them and rooting for them kasi nakasama ko sila sa ibang events. Parang apat yata sila from Bb Pilipinas na friends ko na sasali," she said.

She refused to name her favorite candidate among her friends, who she thinks will stand out during the finals. "Not because of her beauty alone but definitely because of her wit. She's very close to me."

Chelsea also hopes to break show business by hosting events. "I am open to showbiz opportunities. My course is broadcasting, so I plan to do hosting, something like that."

Anne Barretto, CEO and owner of Hey Pretty Aesthetic Center, welcomed Kirsten Cassandra Bañas, Espie Bañas, and Jun Bañas as the newest franchisees at the SM Sta. Rosa branch.

"Ang nakita talaga namin ay yung characteristic ng CEO natin at kung paano niya i-value yung business niya. Hindi na kami naghanap pa ng iba. Nakita ko na rin ang growth ng kanyang business from a few branches hanggang sa dumami ang branches niya nationwide. Ang bilis ng transition," Mr. Bañas said.

Anne, 32, is excited about the expansion of Hey Pretty Aesthetic Center. "We hope to expand this year in the Visayas and Mindanao."

She also announced that more celebrities have been lined up to endorse the popular skin center in 2024.

In 2023, Hey Pretty was endorsed by celebrities Beauty Gonzalez, Dennis Trillo, and Zeinab Harake. "Kung magdadagdag po ako ng endorsers gusto ko rin younger ones para maka-relate yung mga Gen Z. Mas marami ang TikTok influencers this time."

Anne said she's satisfied with the achievements of Hey Pretty Aesthetics in 2023.

"The last time nagpa-interview ako 20 branches pa lang ang 'Hey Pretty.' In 2024, balak ko po na magkaroon ng 50 to 100 branches nationwide. Before mga stand-alone lang ang outlets ko pero ngayon nililigawan na po ako ng ibang establishments para maglease sa lugar nila."

(The last time I did an interview, Hey Pretty only had 20 branches. In 2024, I plan to have 50 to 100 branches nationwide. Before, my outlets were only stand-alone, but now I am being courted by other establishments to lease their place.)