Watching Miss Universe 2016

image taken from pagenathology101.com

I woke up today and found out that our candidate, Ms Philippines, has already gotten into the top 13 for the Miss Universe pageant. I haven't followed the preliminaries though I have read a lot of bashing and support on Facebook about her. Nevertheless, I still rooted for her. I'm proud how she has exuded confidence and saw that she really tried her best. Although I am alone in my room here in the dormitory that I am staying at in Phuket, Thailand, I screamed when she was chosen as one of the top 6 candidates. I'm also happy that Miss Thailand got to this point as well. She is so regal and beautiful.

Ms Philippines was randomly chosen to answer first for the question and answer portion. I held my breath. It has long been an issue in the Philippines if she should use an interpreter or not. Her question was: What is the most significant change you've seen in the world in the last 10 years?

Its a very easy question but maybe because she was nervous during that time, I am sad to note that she didn't quite get it right. She had an interpreter who asked her the same question in our National Language but she chose to answer in English. I commend her for trying although I think it was best if she answered it in Tagalog. 

If I were to be asked that question, I would say that the most significant change in the last 10 years is social media. People are now getting news and updates right through a touch of a button and people from far away can be felt as though they are near. Families and friends are able to share important information in the shortest amount of time and this can further help me with my advocacy.

Ultimately, Miss Universe pageant has been a success despite of some groups in the Philippines who did not like for it to be held there. Congratulations to Miss France for winning the crown. May this allow you to reach your dreams of making the world a better place.

image taken from www.thestar.com.my

Thank you for reading and 'til next blog!

Congratulations, Ms Philippines!

Yesterday, 21 December 2015, was when Filipinos around the world went wild and surprised. After 42 years of waiting and aiming for that elusive Miss Universe crown, Ms Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach finally got it.

image taken from mic.com

I was actually busy with work and was not planning to see the pageant. When my colleague told me that she is in the top 5 and finally when there were only 2 of them left, I got very excited to know the result. I told my friend that she has gotten far already and I'd be happy even if she would only bag the 1st runner up. 

Steve Harvey announced Ms Colombia as the winner. My heart sank a bit but I was happy for her as she also did good. However, there was a turn of event when Steve admitted that he made a mistake in announcing the winner. Ms Colombia was in fact the 1st runner up and Ms Phillipines is the Miss Universe winner. It was a huge mistake of which Steve Harvey humbly apologized.

Now, the internet is full of bashing and hurtful comments to either Steve, Ms. Colombia or Ms Philippines. I have seen funny but bullying memes and jokes about Ms Colombia's embarrassing experience. 

It's almost Christmas and I wish everybody would be happy that Steve owned up to his mistake, Ms Colombia has accepted that she is not the one for the crown and Pia that all her efforts has now paid off. After all, these women and all those contestants have proven to themselves and to the world that they can own up to the big challenge of competing for the crown.

To Pia, you have made us very proud! You have become the concrete example of chasing up one's dreams no matter how elusive it is. Your hard work has now been recognized and it is my hope that you can truly stand up and prove to the world what confidently beauty with a heart is.