Beauties & Brains

Pretend that you’re watching a replay of the 2003 Bb. Pilipinas Pageant held Saturday last week at the Araneta Coliseum, this time not with 27 starry-eyed pretty hopefuls but only three "finalists," namely:

1. Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Carla Gay Balingit, from Pampanga, eldest among four children, a Tourism student at the Holy Angel University (Pampanga), Catholic.

2. Bb. Pilipinas-International Jhezarie Javier, from Quezon City, middle among three children, one-time member of the ABS-CBN Talent Center’s Star Circle (Batch 5), Hotel & Restaurant Management graduate from UST, Catholic.

3. Bb. Pilipinas-World Maria Rafaela Yunon, grew up in Australia, eldest among four children, college graduate, one-time Miss Philippines-Australia, Catholic.

We saw them last week, uh, "strut their stuff" on national television flashing sweet smiles at a jampacked Big Dome (and millions of televiewers at their homes) and seemingly composed (even if one contestant said that "my nerves are roaming around") and cool, displaying amazing grace under pressure.

They were not the most intelligent Binibinis, all right, and not one of them was a summa cum laude (unlike 1976 Liz Beth de Padua who’s now a doctor and residing in the States), but they were admittedly articulate and brainy, far better than any Binibini batch in memory, never mind if the girls answered in a circuitous manner and, at times, stumbled on their grammar and syntax. Try standing in front of millions of people and let’s see how you fare.

Okay, let’s "grill" the three "finalists" with a dozen "Bb. Pilipinas-inspired" questions.

How relevant are beauty contests in a time like this (when war is raging in Iraq)?

Jerry: Beauty contests not only enhance feminine beauty but also promote international understanding.

Carla: Beauty queens become role models in their respective countries. Beauty contests bring out the beauty of a woman, not only beauty outside but also beauty inside.

Mafee: Beauty pageants also promote charities and help the less fortunate. Especially now that there’s war, beauty queens can be ambassadresses not only of beauty and goodwill but also of peace.

What’s your stand on the war in Iraq?

Jerry: I am neither pro-America nor anti-Iraq. I am pro-peace.

Carla: War of any kind is a waste of time and lives. It affects a lot of people. Instead of thinking of war, why can’t people around the world just think of peace and love one another?

Mafee: Like what Jerry and Carla said, a lot of people are affected by the war, especially innocent people and children. I pray that America and Iraq and the other countries involved in the war can sort things out on the negotiating table and not in the battlefield.

If you had a chance to speak to the world, what would be your message of peace (the same question posed to the five finalists at the Bb. Pilipinas Pageant)?

Jerry: Peace comes from within. When we were young, we were taught a song about peace but we have forgotten its meaning and message because of worldly desires. (Note: The song was Let There Be Peace on Earth, a few lines from which Jerry sang to highlight her answer.)

Carla: Peace is not all about arms and warfare, it’s all about love and understanding. God created us to love and understand one another and in doing so, peace will be gained. I just want to share this prayer from Mother Teresa: The fruit of prayer is silence, the fruit of silence is faith, the fruit of faith is hope and the fruit of hope is love, unity and peace.

Mafee: I believe that peace should start within the family. Parents should tell the kids that peace is a good thing and war is not, and that we should love one another, so that their children and their future children and grandchildren will also learn to love one another and their neighbors, too.

Describe yourself the best way you can.

Jerry: I am a simple person, an optimistic person.

Carla: Of course, I can say that I’m simple, I’m beautiful and I’m a role model.

Mafee: I am outgoing, I can get along with anybody. Like Jerry and Carla, I’m a simple girl who wants simple things and needs simple things.

How did you prepare for the Bb. Pilipinas Pageant?

Jerry: I prepared myself physically, mentally and spiritually. No, I didn’t really go into a diet. Actually, I eat a lot! I’m lucky na mabilis ang aking metabolism. Workout? I did Taebo. I reread Philippine History. I prayed more often, drawing me even closer to God. I prayed all the time. (Note: As member of the ABS-CBN Talent Center’s Star Circle, Jerry was a member of the cast of the TV show Gimik and appeared with Jolina Magdangal in the movie Labs Kita, Okay Ka Lang?)

Carla: Like Jerry, hindi ako nag-diet. I also eat a lot! In fact, our batch daw was the most matakaw. I guess part of my preparation for the Binibini was joining other (minor) contests, such as the Miss Pampanga search and the Miss Paskuhan search, both in Pampanga. Those contests, which I won, taught me how to be confident onstage.

Mafee: The Bb. Pilipinas was the first beauty contest in the Philippines that I joined. Back in 1998, I won as Miss Philippines-Australia. Being the niece of a former Bb. Pilipinas-Universe (Desiree Verdadero who finished third runner-up in the 1984 Miss Universe Pageant) helped a lot, of course. Auntie Desiree and her Binibini friends — like Gem Padilla, Sarah Jane Paez and Marilen Espino – were guiding me and giving me all sorts of tips and pointers – all from experience. They told me, "Be patient; always pray." And that’s what I did. I did a lot of dancing, too. I went to the gym almost everyday. I read lots of books, mostly Tagalog books. I spoke to a lot of aunts and uncles about the history of our country. My mom, Maria Jesette (Desiree’s older sister), helped me brush up on Philippine History.

And how are you preparing for the international competitions?

Jerry: All three of us are being trained on how to walk, how to pose… We are taught etiquette, table manners, etc. We are also taught how to do our own make-up and how to fix our hair in case no hairdresser and/or make-up artist is available.

Carla: I am pressed for time because I’m leaving sometime in May for the Miss Universe Pageant.

Mafee: We’re guesting on TV and being interviewed by the press. I guess that’s part of our preparation.

What will you tell the world about Philippines once you are abroad?

Jerry: I think it’s very important for the whole world to know what a beautiful country the Philippines is, in spite of what’s happening… that the beauty of the country is not just in its landscape and scenery but in the people themselves. People around the world should be reminded how warm and how friendly and how hospitable we Filipinos are, that we are a peace-loving people.

Carla: I’ll tell them that terrorism is a reality in the Philippines, all right, but terrorists strike not the whole country but only in some parts… that it is safe to visit the Philippines.

Mafee: I don’t want to repeat what Jerry and Carla said because those are basically the same things I would tell the people abroad.

Have you always wanted to be beauty queens?

Jerry: It was one of my dreams. When I was young, everytime I saw a beauty queen on TV, I’d tell myself, "I want to be a beauty queen someday." When I saw a model, I’d tell myself, "I also want to be a model someday." And so on and so forth. I wanted to be many things. When I saw an astronaut on TV, I told myself, "Someday, I want to be an astronaut, too!"

Carla: In grade school, I was tomboyish, so I started dreaming of becoming a beauty queen when I was in high school. That was when my friends also started telling me to join beauty pageants. So I did and I enjoyed it.

Mafee: I was two years old when Auntie Desiree won as Bb. Pilipinas. I still have a picture of her wearing a crown and holding a scepter. She kind of influenced and inspired me. Like Carla, I was tomboyish when I was a little girl. I was into a lot of sports. I played tennis. When I was 16, I actually competed here in the Milo Cup.

Any role models?

Jerry: Mother Teresa. A priest-friend of mine met Mother Teresa. He asked her, "How come you’re so kind and so compassionate?" Mother Teresa simply said, "Because I saw Jesus in every face that I look at." Since then, everytime I look at other people, I always remember that every face is a reflection of myself. I try to see the good side of everyone.

Carla: Also Mother Teresa. One, because I’m religious. Two, she was the nicest person I ever knew. Three, I admire Mother Teresa for her selflessness. I also look up to Miriam Quiambao (1999 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe and first runner-up in that year’s Miss Universe Pageant). She has poise. Look at the way she walks! I also admire Eileen Damiles (1996 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe) because of her beautiful smile; and Oxana Fyodorova ( the 2002 Miss Universe from Russia who was dethroned for non-compliance with her duties and obligations, replaced by Miss Panama Justine Pasek, the first runner-up) who’s really beautiful.

Mafee: My dad (Manolito Yunon, from Tarlac) is my role model. He went through a really rough stage during his younger years. He grew up without a father; the father disappeared during (my father’s) teenage years. My dad grew up with my Lola who was his and his brothers’ role model. They didn’t have any male role model to help them grow. He worked hard to be where he is now. Now, he’s head of Couples for Christ. He gives advice to couples with problems and I love him for that. My dad was my mentor; during the months that I stayed here prior to the pageant, my dad was there to boost my morale. I was getting homesick and he was always there to comfort me.

Who’s the most unforgettable person you’ve ever met?

Jerry: My mom, definitely. Her name is Melba Gamez. My father died when I was 4. My mom was only 25 then and she brought us up all by herself. It was tough for her. She taught us all the values in life. She’s more than just a mother to us; she’s also my best friend. We share confidences; there are no secrets between us.

Carla: My maternal grandmother, Eustaquia Bustos. She has 16 children whom she nurtured and brought up by herself because my grandfather died at an early age. She loves and treats all her children and grandchildren equally; she doesn’t play favorites. She’s only 67 and she’s in coma after suffering from a heart attack. She’s the best Lola in the world.

Mafee: I don’t even know the name of the most unforgettable person I’ve met. In 1998 when I won as Miss Philippines-Australia, one of my duties was to donate money in the Philippines. We visited this institution for the aged and there was this lola, very old, who was very happy despite her condition. She even sang a song to me! Her family had forgotten her. I felt really, really sad for her. She could have been your or my lola, you know.

Do all of you have boyfriends?

Jerry: None.

Carla: Yes, I have. But I won’t reveal his name.

Mafee: I’ve none.

What kind of men do you find attractive?

Jerry: I am choosy. But I admire a man who is God-fearing and romantic, somebody who can make me laugh, somebody who is secure with himself and who can bring out the best in me.

Carla: I have certain standards in my mind but I always fall for someone who’s the exact opposite. Like my boyfriend. He’s a responsible person who doesn’t rely on his parents. I like a man who’s God-fearing. I love my boyfriend all the more because he’s God-fearing.

Mafee: Just a simple guy. He doesn’t have to be rich as long as he loves and respects me. If he is outgoing and can make me laugh, so much the better. We must be able to laugh together, laugh at each other.

Jerry is in showbiz. What about you, Carla and Mafee? Any plans of also going into showbiz?

Carla: I’d love to try TV-hosting, like my idol, Miriam (Quiambao). But I’d prefer to be a billboard model (commercials).

Mafee: I want to host my own show.

If you were President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, which of the many problems in the country would you concentrate on?

Jerry: The peace and order situation. I believe that if there’s peace and order and we all work as one for a common goal, we’ll be successful. Everything else will follow: More job opportunities for the people, less poverty and a better life for everybody.

Carla: Poverty. We have been under several Presidents promising to ‘fight poverty’ but not one of them has so far succeeded. Then, education – especially for poor but talented kids. I help in a catechism class and I know how the kids feel, not having the means to go to school.

Mafee: The economy. We’re ranked among countries with the lowest economy. Also, I’d improve the environment for business so that investors would be enticed to come. The Philippines is such a beautiful country, people are hardworking, so there’s no reason for us not to improve our economy. We can do it!

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