In focus: Binibining Carmen

CEBU, Philippines — This part-time facilitator at Southwestern University considers herself a neophyte among the 53 other Binibining Cebu candidates. But that’s not to say you should set her aside as a possible strong contender, for as Mosel puts it, “I did my homework.” 

“People behind my training are doing their best to mold me to be an epitome of a Cebuana ambassadress and that is why you should watch out for me,” says the five-foot-seven beauty.

Juggling Bb. Cebu activities and preparing for an upcoming exam has been the most challenging aspect of the pageant for Mosel so far.

“It’s really hard to manage my schedule given that we already have a schedule from the Bb. Sugbo Foundation Inc. and we have trainings twice a week at my beauty pageant camp, and lastly, my LET exams this September 24 which I’m preparing for,” says Mosel, a Miss Earth Southern Leyte–Air 2015 title-holder, Miss Southern Leyte 2015 third runner-up and Miss Isabel Leyte 2016 first runner-up.

“But my manager does everything he can to help me with my schedule. Even my co candidates, sometimes they accompany me when I go to coffee shops to study.”

  Mosel’s interests include dancing, singing, playing volleyball, softball and basketball, watching comedy films and hanging out with friends.

She graduated with a degree in Secondary Education major in MAPEH from Southern Leyte State University.

As a future educator, does she agree that the Philippines has a culture that’s against intellectualism where people respond with reactions like “edi wow,” “ikaw na” and the like during a sensible conversation? “Yes, but I also think we’re not the only country facing this issue so let’s not hate our fellow Filipino who commits this mistake. Ignorance is something that we have to treat seriously. Education is an unending process and that is what we should focus on – educating the youth.”

On the changes she hopes to see in the Philippine educational system, Mosel shares, “I believe that our government is doing small but effective steps for our educational system to improve. I just hope that our youth will have enough access to educational materials like books, the internet, and other necessary school facilities. These things need budgeting from the government, so I’d like to encourage our dear lawmakers to look more into this matter.”

Life, Mosel points out, has been her greatest teacher. “Everything that happened to me, to my family, all those challenges I went through as a child, they’re all part of me and I think my experience has taught me to be a strong woman, a woman I am today. A woman who continues to learn from her experiences and from every person she encounters.”

Listing off the charms of Carmen, Mosel gushes: “What’s not to like? Carmen is a beautiful town with beautiful people. You may think that this is cliché, but I really believe that it’s the people living in the place that makes the place beautiful! Aside from that, the serene view of Carmen’s mountains of adventure is just amazing. Plus the bibingka sold along the highways of Carmen – absolutely delicious!” (FREEMAN)