Megan has always been proud of being Pinay

If victory comes, can controversy be far behind?

Until she won the very first Miss World crown for the Philippines after a 63-year drought, it was mostly Filipinos both here and abroad (except for a few who tried to besmirch her reputation — to no avail) who gave Megan Young all-out support.

“Megan has always been proud of being a Filipina,” said Gerry Diaz, one of the 10 members of Aces (& Queens), the team that trains Filipino beauty queens before they compete in contests abroad, in reaction to the post-Miss World pageant minor controversy when an online report described her as “a US native.” Megan never denied that she was born in the US to an American father and a Filipina mother but, added Gerry, “after staying in the US for 10 years since birth, she came to the Philippines which has been her (and her mother and two siblings’) home since then.”

Well, it happens all the time. Remember when Jessica Sanchez finished first runner-up in the 2011 American Idol? Us Filipinos embraced her for being a “Philippine native” even if she’s an American (although born in the US to parents who are both Filipinos).

In fact, immediately after she was crowned, Megan thanked the Filipinos in Tagalog, saying, “Maraming, maraming salamat talaga sa mga tumulong sa akin…”

Gerry didn’t make it to Bali, Indonesia, where the Miss World finals were held Saturday night, Sept. 28, but Aces members Jonas Gaffud, Arnold “Mama Ruffa” Mercado, Mark Bessie Besana and Nad Bronce did.

Majority was sure that Megan would be “it” from the very start but according to Jonas, who acts as Megan’s manager, Megan thought that the winner would be Miss France (who placed second to Megan).

During her last interview (with The STAR) three days before she left for Indonesia, Megan said when asked what was her edge over the 126 other Miss World hopefuls, “I saw them online and I guess my edge over them is that, because I have so much experience meeting people and being able to interview them, maybe that’s an advantage. I am able to adjust to all kinds of people.”

Said Gerry, “Megan will be a perfect spokesperson for the numerous Miss World charities because of her intelligence, facility with the English language, excellent communication skills and her passion to help others. One of the judges was interviewed during the live telecast and he said, ‘The new Miss World should be eloquent because she will be doing a lot of public speaking.’ Megan fits that bill perfectly.”

And, of course, her infectious kindness.

“Spread that kindness in your heart,” Megan’s mom Victoria aptly put it.

Anyway, Megan, 23, has been preparing for the “big event” since she was 15, agreeing to compete in a national beauty competition only when she said she was sure that she was ready.

The first time a Miss Philippines made it to the finals was in 1968 when Pinky Amabuyok placed fourth runner-up. At that time, Pinky generated controversy in the British media when she said she wanted to be a nun. It turned out that she was misquoted.

In 1973, Evangeline Pascual placed first runner-up to the USA’s Marjorie Wallace who was eventually dethroned. Evangeline said that she politely refused to replace Wallace because she didn’t really win the title, although there are (unconfirmed) reports that the crown was never offered to her.

In 1993, Ruffa Gutierrez finished third (Second Princess) to Miss Jamaica.

Then, in 2011, Gwendoline Ruais won first runner-up to Miss Venezuela.

And then came Megan.

Among the many who congratulated Megan were:

• Gloria Diaz (the first Filipina Miss Universe, 1969) — “I am very happy for her and hope somehow she will make a difference. She’s very beautiful but like I tell my daughters Isabelle and Ava, and their cousin Georgina, look  behind there is a line of just as gorgeous girls. Make sure you do only what your family and country can be proud of.”

 â€¢ Gemma Cruz-Araneta (the first Filipina Miss International, 1964) — “Congratulations to Megan Young! Enjoy your reign…the world is at your feet.”

• Madame Stella Marquez-Araneta, head of the Bb. Pilipinas Charities, Inc. — “BPCI wishes to send its heartfelt congratulations to Megan Young for winning Miss World 2013. We congratulate Megan and the Filipino people for this victory. We are happy to have two international winners in the same month, which started with Mutya Johanna Datul’s Miss Supranational 2013 victory last Sept. 6.” 

Megan should now be in London for the Beauty With Purpose Charity Dinner, her first duty as Miss World. No definite date when she’s coming home.

By now, her being Miss World should have sunk in with Megan.

This is her entry in her Facebook, relayed to this corner by Funfare’s “other beauty expert” Celso de Guzman Caparas:

“Seems like only yesterday that I was flying out to Bali, Indonesia, to represent the Philippines and show the world what I had. And now, at the foot of my bed, I see the Miss World sash. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine to be in this position. Never did I think of myself to be worthy of such an honor. But the paths that I’ve chosen have proven me wrong.

“This year will be an amazing one. I can already feel the good vibes and positive energy and I can’t wait to start planning for things so that you can witness my journey as well.”