UP Close & Personal

CEBU, Philippines - “I am smart, brilliant and beautiful,” Tricia May Cabelino confidently answered when asked what makes her unique from other aspiring beauty queens. Of course, Tricia’s mind-boggling answer flopped flat. We wish she could have been a little more inventive and made herself a little more interesting. If she made it to the top 5, she’ll land 4th place with this answer.

But like Miss Universe 4th runner-up Maria Venus Raj, Tricia also showed a lot of confidence that not all of us have. As a matter of fact, to build self confidence, and how you can go from low self esteem to feeling good about yourself, in any situation is not as easy as ABC. It takes a lot of courage and that entails a lot of time. And that what makes Tricia stand out.

And crafty answers are boring. We prefer answers that are straight, to the point and do not fool around. With Tricia’s distinctive self-assurance and self-confidence, remaining unperturbed by the burden of knowing that people are listening in and wrongfully wish her to be super intelligent, this 19-year-old hopeful could be the one to represent Cebu and compete in the nationwide search in Manila.

Tricia is an Associate Tourism student in University of San Jose Recoletos. She said that this program would allow her to get the experience of working in an establishment that helps promote our country.

“I will also have the opportunity to gain knowledge of different tourism experience and operations through fieldwork and a chance to discover unseen places,” Tricia further explained. Tricia admitted that she is living a very simple life but this won’t stop her to dream big. Instead, this serves as her inspiration to carry the burden of life’s little jokes. After all, to endure the cross is not tragedy.

What is most admirable about Tricia is that she is honest, frank and straightforward. But, she could be funny at times. She sure knows how to crack a joke and won’t run from any screaming match even with men. Women seldom joke but to share something humorous is what Tricia is known for. Yes, she’s got that boyish charm but Tricia is such a fruit fly, too!  She may have high respect with gays; however, Tricia is not for same sex-marriage.

“As a Roman Catholic, it is a big ‘no, no’ for me because during the creation of the world God made only Man and Woman. It is also an insult to our morality as a Christian and to the Sacrament of Matrimony, a law made by God,” Tricia strongly said. Jad Conde  (FREEMAN)