Pageant powerhouse
Cebu City recently garnered back-to-back wins for different pageants over the past few days Miss Universe Philippines, Miss World Philippines, and Miss Multinational Philippines. As somewhat of a pageant enthusiast, I gushed over the fact that Cebuanas will once again take the world stage and represent the country in these international events. She wouldn’t just bring honor to Cebu but also to a whole team rallying behind her in the likes of those who will dress her up to best represent our culture.
However, it goes beyond the culture and traditions being shown on international television but the heart of a person to be able to represent humanity as it is. Beatrice Gomez who clinched the Miss Universe Philippines crown has been very vocal of her identity as part of the LGBTQIA+ community. She has never disowned her life partner in every aspect of her life. Sure, a lot of people have judged her for that and maybe even disliked her for her choices. But we are forgetting the real essence of a human when we let our prejudices get in the way. I don't see how members of this community are different from everyone else. They might even be better than others who are in their respective fields. I have a lot of friends who belong to this community and they seem all normal to me. In fact, a lot of them have become trusted confidantes.
She also has been criticized for having a tattoo. It has always been a point of judgment whenever a work of art on skin is seen in public. This shouldn't be the case as this also does not dehumanize the person. I have a few tattoos on me as well and I still think and act right.
Other candidates are being questioned for their intentions in representing us to the world. Apart from bragging rights and fame, is a heart that deeply roots itself in the core of being a Filipina. Somewhere between that also is an advocacy that could be amplified if given the platform. We've seen a lot of these being executed when Pia Wurtzbach and Catriona Gray took the crown for Miss Universe. I think what's important is that they have the will to help relevantly in these trying times.
Now that we are once again under scrutiny because of the causes that these women bring to the international arena, I only hope for two things. One is for these women to get things right in the sense that they don't bring false information to the table that would be subject to bashing. Second is that they bring more people in to join their causes. The soul and heart of a pageant is not only on looks, waistline, and a jaw-dropping answer during the Q&A portion but the ideologies and advocacies that she would fight for. Now we wish them well on their international journey and hope that they bring back the crown.
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