In focus: Binibining--Ronda

CEBU, Philippines — She’s a radio personality and an events host so it shouldn’t be a wonder how Megan mustered up the guts to join the grandest beauty pageant in Cebu.

As a child, Megan was always fascinated with the idea of being an actress, or some other form of artist. She loved how you get to embody a person or tell a beautiful story. She adored the idea of connecting with an audience and making them feel like they aren’t so alone after all.

When she found out that she could make a career out of it—Megan couldn’t imagine doing anything else, and that was apparent in her education having majored in English Language and Literature, Business Studies, and Visual and Dramatic Arts.

Becoming a radio personality, as Megan puts it, was “pure luck.”

“To this day I am still overwhelmed with nerves and I get scared before a hosting event. I still face that self-doubt but learned to channel that into positive thinking and self-encouragement,” says Megan, who had been looking for a job at a radio station and met Miss Cebu 2016 Raine Baljak who was working at Monster Radio then. Raine recommended her for an interview and the rest was history.

Megan says she feels the jitters because she cares about her job and always pushes herself to reach out and make a connection with people.

Working at a young age, doe-eyed Megan values her work ethic but when asked about her edge in the competition, being a radio personality is not something that defines her.

“Working in radio has given me the opportunity to practice my public speaking skills, but I’ve learned that there are many factors that come into pageantry which can’t be hidden behind a microphone. I believe one of the things that set me apart is my approach to pageants. I feel that the best type of beauty in a woman is her unique qualities, including a personality that may be out of the box or different. I may never be the perfect pageant queen but I will stay true to who I am throughout this amazing journey,” Megan muses.

“I just hope for people to see me, not only for what I look like but for where my heart is. I hope to connect with people through the things I’m trying to advocate. I am still learning about who I am but I know who I am not. I am quirky and optimistic, I take life with a grain of salt and even on my worst days I aim to make someone else smile,” Megan says.

Standing at five-foot-seven, Megan is a self-confessed thrill-seeker and spends her time on the move with activities like wakeboarding, rugby, and track and field. Megan is also a lover of nature, and aside from dancing, acting, and modeling, likes to travel and go on camping. Having said that, Megan advocates for the environment, and calls for good nutrition and sustainable living, inspired by Emma Watson’s UN HeForShe statement: “If not me, who? If not now, when?”

“The past two years have impacted my life drastically. I’ve been introduced to groups that actively promote preserving our environment, healthy sustainable living, volunteer programs to aid barangays and ocean cleanups. Being able to connect with these communities have helped me find a passion.”

After Binibining Cebu, Megan plans to channel all that she’s learned to open doors leading to all sorts of opportunities—from business ideas, to dabbling in other forms of entertainment in the media. She has even gotten in touch with all sorts of communities from longboarding groups, to farming enthusiasts.

Come to think of it, being a media personality already comes with some sort of influence, which one can use to mobilize people into advocating for important things. Although Megan agrees that one can be productive with or without a crown on her head, she acknowledges that Binibining Cebu is a great avenue to effectively make change happen.

“With radio, one can only listen but with a crown you can lead by example. If I will take on such a position, I will aim to be the best type of influence. Using both radio and this platform to reach out and connect with anyone who would like to listen.”

Raving about Ronda, Megan states, “Ronda has so many scenic views from Libo-o Hill to the marine sanctuary. Right between mountainous landscapes coated with local produce and coastal views, you get the best of both worlds. But what awes me most about Ronda is the people. It is evident that Ronda has not aged into the modern world but the people find peace in living a simple life. The community is genuine and welcoming beyond belief. I look up to them because they value the importance of bonding with each other. Life in Ronda is characteristically relaxed and you’re able to step back and enjoy life in real time. It’s a refreshing escape.” (FREEMAN)