The things worth aspiring for, according to Megan

MANILA, Philippines – Almost every day this month, Megan Young gets reminded about that special time three years ago, when she competed and then made the country proud by winning the first-ever Miss World crown for the Philippines.

“It feels like it was just yesterday, to be honest. Although it has already been three years, whenever things pop up on my Facebook memories, sometimes pictures, it’s like, wow, I can’t believe that it was this time of the year. Because it was September when I competed, so every day this month I’ve been getting memories of when I was competing. It’s just been a nice throwback reminder for me,” Megan told The STAR on the sidelines of her shoot for the #Aspire campaign of the tech brand Acer, which she’s endorsing.

Megan is solely being managed by Miss World even three years after her reign. This means she continues to fly in and out of the country doing projects for Miss World around the world. Recently, she returned to England to do Mister World. “So, from time to time, they get me to host for them, which is a great opportunity I think — (because it’s an) international stage. And it’s nice because you’re outside your usual working environment and I’m so used to working in the local industry, but it’s nice to see how things go about in like England, or when we’re in China, I got to see how they work there, or when we were in Indonesia…it’s good to see the working environments of other places.”

Frequent flying could spring up some surprises like permanent and irresistible work opportunities overseas. “I can’t say for sure (if I’m open to that), but I do enjoy my time here in the Philippines and I mean, it’s my home country, the first country I truly love so I think for now, I’ll be here, but who knows there could be opportunities. I’m always open to opportunities,” said Megan.

Keeping her busy here are the charity efforts she does for Miss World and Miss World Philippines. “As of now, we’re still pushing for support for the onco/pediatrics wing of the Philippine General Hospital. That one is funded by Miss World and Miss World Philippines. But we still need equipment for that.”

As a host and actress, her hands are full as the leading lady of Dingdong Dantes in the GMA 7 primetime series Alyas Robin Hood premiering tonight. She’s also starring with Ai-Ai delas Alas in the family-driven comedy Mighty Yaya under Regal Films. She continues to be sought out for product endorsements, and to be the face of Acer’s new #Aspire campaign, which is about “breaking barriers between people and technology,” along with life coach Francis Kong, couldn’t be any more fitting.

“I’m really happy. No. 1, because I’ve always been a techie girl. I didn’t have any sports growing up and if there was such a sport as technology, I would have considered that (laughs). Nowadays, you have kids doing online games and then eventually making it a sport, you can see that in the future happening. I’m like wow, why can’t I be a teenager now? Bakit nung time namin walang ganyan? So I mean, I’m happy that they thought of me to represent its new line of laptops,” she said referring to the Aspire “S” series comprised of the S3, the S5 and the S7, the brand’s flagship and record-breaking device because it’s world’s thinnest laptop.

Megan is a certified gamer, in case this piece of info hasn’t reached you yet. “Once you’re a gamer, always a gamer. I hate to use the word bisyo because medyo pangit siya na word, but I think it’s more of a vice, there you go, it’s the only vice that I have and will ever have — games... But now that I’m older, I’m learning how to control my gaming habits because of my work. For me, it’s not about being very particular with what kind of game, it’s more of, oh, I enjoy this game, I’m going to spend time and effort to try and complete it. And that’s me, that’s where my fulfillment is — the child in me coming out and also getting things done.”

Right now, she’s into mobile games and has caught on the Pokemon craze.

“Girl, that was my childhood! We don’t need to discuss that; that is a given (laughs),” Megan readily admitted. “As of now, I just do whatever is on my mobile or in my tablet. That’s easier for me because I’m not home all the time. Actually, all my game consoles naka-stuck nalang dun (sa house). The only time we really have time for that is when we have family get-togethers.”

Megan, however, has laid down some personal rules for her gaming as well as other tech-related activities. “I guess for games, as long as I finish my work for the day, I’m free to play. I always have a checklist for the things I need to complete within the day, and after I do all that, I can do whatever I want.”

“As for social media use, I guess for me, whatever is out there, that’s me sharing it. I want people to know that it’s what I want to share with them. I can be an open book to the people that I talk to, but I think on a bigger scale, as social media is worldwide and everyone can access it from everywhere, it’s really up to you — up to what extent do you want to share about your life. So, for me, whatever you see on my social media accounts, that’s what I (am willing to) share.”

Meanwhile, it’s beauty pageant season once again, and Megan has to be asked for some winning tips for young ladies aspiring to bring home the crown.

“I always say this, it’s a cliché but it worked for me and I think it has also worked for Pia (Wurtzbach, reigning Miss Universe): Just be yourself — in your most authentic way. I think it’s not nice if you pretend to be postura (poised) all the time, if you’re not really like that. People will see through that, so just be yourself. If you stumble, it’s OK. Or if you don’t look or feel your best that day, be honest to yourself and the people around you — in a nice way possible, of course.”

Anything else she aspires to do in the future? “I aspire to be a successful businesswoman one day, so I hope it happens! Ayoko ma-jinx siya but there are stuff in the works.” - Photos by Ver Paulino