In focus: Binibining Danao

CEBU, Philippines — She may be among the youngest, but she’s also among the towering Binibining Cebu dazzlers at five-foot-nine.

And while the try-and-try success story of the likes of Pia Wurtzbach has proven that maturity and wisdom gleaned through age and experience will help you snag that coveted crown, this charmer believes her youth and freshness also have its pros.

“I don’t see any problem with me joining pageants at this age knowing that I have the advantages,” begins Kathleen, a grade 12 STEM strand student at San Roque College de Cebu.

“I joined this pageant because this is something that I want and this is one way of improving and practicing for a bigger audience. Joining this competition is also one step closer to my dream of being able to represent our country in a beauty pageant someday.”

Kathleen’s mother is a nurse and a teacher by profession who is currently connected with DEP-ED, while her father is a government employee.

She previously won Miss Governor’s Cup 2017, Congressional meet first runner-up, Liloan’s best muse during the 2015 Mayors Cup and Miss Liloan Sportsfest 2014.

Dancing, reading books, baking pastries, watching movies, modeling and playing volleyball are how she spends her free time.

Kathleen is quick to exclaim that her age gives her an edge among the older Binibining Cebu candidates.

“I might be young and a beginner but I can compete with them,” she explains. “Being young means being a new face in this industry and for me to have a new face is something that is captivating not only to the judges but also to all the people in Cebu.”

On the best and most difficult aspects of being a Binibining Cebu hopeful, she shares: “Joining Binibining Cebu is not an easy process because I need to adhere to a very hectic schedule between my studies and rehearsals. On the positive side, I learned to balance and to manage my time and that makes me more organized, systematic and happy. It’s really hard committing to two important things at the same time but this is what I want, so I am not giving up. Although there are times that I just want to quit but I always believe in the saying ‘winners never quit and quitters never win’ – this serves as my inspiration. After all, nothing in this world comes easy. I just have to face all these challenges.”

“The best thing that I got from joining this prestigious competition,” she adds, “is the experience of ramping up into a bigger audience and stage, plus the good friends to cherish.”

Apart from one day wearing the Philippines sash in the international stage, Kathleen is also eyeing to be either a physical therapist (“It has always been my dream to become one and to be able to treat my patients with all the best that I can.”) or a flight attendant (“so that I can travel to places that I haven’t been to yet.”)

As a millennial, Kathleen likewise shared her thoughts on whether she thinks the older generation is too hard on their judgments about her generation.

“Everyone has their own opinions and I think it is their right because they have their own thinking and mindsets. Though sometimes, older generations put too much pressure on us millennials to act the way they acted before, I still think they are only concerned for our future,” points out Kathleen.

“And if there’s one thing that I could say to the older generation, it’s that we are a growing population and we are in the modern era so they can’t expect millennials to be exactly what they want. Let us just respect one another and just be happy.”

What would she like to say to people who think that millennials are selfish and clueless? “It’s okay to have their opinions because we are given minds to think and we are given mouths to speak. But let us not forget the eyes that should see the current situation how the millennials struggle to cope with what other people say and think about them. Let the ears hear all the good side that millennials have done. Let the heart feel sympathy for the millennials, for others don’t know and see how challenged we are to be the expected future of our nations. And if it happens that we become clueless and selfish, guide us in your path for that is what we need.”

Now if there’s one thing Kathleen isn’t clueless about, it’s the wonders of the city that she will help highlight.

“One thing I like about Danao is its strategic location because it lies between the northeastern part of Carmen and Compostela in northern Cebu. There’s also its peacefulness and many resorts that offer affordable prices for those who would like to enjoy its beautiful amenities. People should come and visit my place for them to taste and savor our delicacies like the casajos, keseo and tinapa and another thing is the welcoming and genuine people living in Danao.”  (FREEMAN)