Pageant talk
It was the most beautiful day in the universe yesterday, or so they say. As every Miss Universe pageant takes place, the Filipinos make it a point to make it an urgent matter – going as far as dropping everything in their schedule to take a break and watch the live show. But yesterday's turnout was a bit disappointing, our candidate was not able to make it to the top 10. She was even just a wildcard contender in the top 20, and it’s difficult to advance when you aren't a judges' choice beforehand. But that's beside the point, because what we should see beyond beauty of the 90 candidates and the advocacy that they are fighting for.
I like Miss South Africa who won the title this year. When asked the final question on what to teach to young girls, she responded with a very motherhood answer but expounded it from the heart. Leadership was her answer to teach to girls because this has become obsolete in society today. Her answer sparked empowerment of young children who thought that there is nothing to their lives as women. It is a start of a new age.
With the fanaticism of international beauty pageants, I think we should all deviate from the issue of beauty. This is more than the beauty that society is setting but more on the causes that they are pushing for and the culture that they are representing in their different countries. I like Zozibini who wanted to destroy the stigma that black is not beautiful. It is not true that the blacker you are, the uglier you are. What is in the heart and soul that radiates to the outside is what is more beautiful. We must all take note of that.
If only we can rethink our views on pageants - this is just more than winning a crown to bring glory to your country but also a way of getting people to join whatever your cause is. We saw past Miss Universe Pia and Catriona speak in public for HIV/AIDS and poverty. This is what the universe needs, people who want to get rid of the negativity by forging partnerships and by being ambassadresses of goodwill. If we can get this in place together then we are sure to eradicate the different problems in this world together.
Well, I had high hopes for Gazini after she talked casually to the host but it wasn't her fate to win. The real score will now be after the pageant, if she can deliver her advocacy without the Miss Universe crown. Then we will be able to know who she really is if we can still see her out and about helping the elderly. It will be a challenging role to fulfill, but it is one that she entered with full commitment. At the end of the day, every beauty queen should be able to inspire others to be good to their fellowmen.
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