WHO IS THE RENAISSANCE CEBUANA?
Today’s Cebuana is truly a force to be reckoned with and AAA Renaissance Cebuana has made sure to get the message through as it launched a unique pageant of, not only the beauty, but the mind and body as well.
Women empowerment has recently been the order of the current times. Thus, this project by the Cebu Province, through the Cebu Provincial Women’s Commission (PWC) and the Cebu Provincial Sports Commission, together with the Ng Khai Development Corp. and the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry with the participation of multi-stakeholder groups, has made this competition a celebration of women’s strengths in athletics, academics and art, hence, AAA.
In its first year, it gathered over 700 women aged 18 to 30 years old coming from the different cities and municipalities in Cebu.
Certainly a one-of-a-kind pageantry, participants were grilled with their set of skills in different stages.
The first elimination round was held last May 12. Since it was the athletics category, a race was held. The five-kilometer (5K) and 10-kilometer finishers became part of the pageant’s Top 100 finalists, most of whom competed in the academics round.
Unfortunately, only 48 went through with the academics round held at SM City Cebu last June 23. The second elimination round was divided into two parts: the quiz bee and the question and answer (Q&A).
With the 48 girls divided into different groups during the quiz bee, they were asked questions ranging from math to science, general knowledge and mind-boggling problems. The audience was entertained upon seeing the young Cebuanas scramble to not only get things right but also click the answers quickly as the quiz was computer automated.
Brainstorming
One of the beauties who topped the quiz was Pichey Lastimoso Lendio, a contender from Alegria. She shared how she prepared for the second round, saying, “Nag-brainstorming or sharing mi sa akong mga kauban og unsa among nahibaw-an (My groupmates and I brainstormed and shared facts that each of us knew).”
Lendio was one of the ladies who conquered the 5K run, despite bits of confusion on how the pageant works.
“It was only on the day of the marathon when I learned of the process. My (fellow contestants) and I were very happy that we got this far,” said 26-year-old Lendio.
What would Lendio do if she wins?
“If given the opportunity, I will try my best to perform my duties and responsibilities as a Renaissance Cebuana 2018 and utilize my talent and abilities to be an asset of the Provincial Women’s Commission that offers growth to my knowledge and skills.”
Daanbantayan contestant Killiaen Marie Ferrer, 19, shared the same sentiment.
Despite her youth, Ferrer is serious about taking on such great responsibilities as she explained why she participated: “I joined AAA Renaissance Cebuana to test my limits as a millennial woman. To prove that a Cebuana can surpass the extreme physical challenges a man can do.”
Ferrer was also bent on keeping herself ready for the quiz bee by reading magazines, newspapers and watching vlogs (video blogs) about Cebu.
Having an array of experiences dealing with competition by doing quiz bowls, beauty contests and even joining dragon boat races in both local and international events, Ferrer said, “I live up to the saying ‘No Guts, No Glory.’ Therefore, I love to challenge myself in different fields and learn as much as I can.”
And as for her advocacy, Ferrer said she wants to maximize and properly use technology as a source of livelihood. She also wants to help educate the youth and campaign against bullying.
“Let us create a positive, economical, sustainable and a healthy cyber environment,” said Ferrer.
Another teenager in the contest is Wilpe Anne Papa of Alegria.
“I am a strong advocate for women empowerment. I stand for women who are discriminated in their jobs, or fields or anywhere because of their gender. I wish to inspire women to dream and achieve and to celebrate the beauty of femininity. I also want to stand for women who are victims of all kinds of abuses and to stand for their rights as a woman,” the 19-year-old said.
Sounding like a wise feminist, the Aeronautical Engineering student from Cebu Aeronautical Technical School, also topped the quiz bee, saying she read articles and books to prepare for it.
Talent
Hoping to make it to the final round--the artistic round--Papa said, “I want to share some of my talents that a lot of people don’t know about yet—dancing or poetry.”
A unique case as she shares the competition with her sister, Papa said the experience was fun and it made the sisters less competitive with each other.
“We used to be so competitive inside the volleyball court to see who shined the most since our schools are rivals. But now there is only support and encouragement all throughout the competition,” said Papa.
In the second part of the academics part, the formidable Q&A, only 46 women moved on to participate. They all answered with gusto as they took on issues about marriage, national and provincial state issues, and the obligatory basic yet witty pageant questions.
Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, the co-chairperson of the PWC, said she was inspired by the contestants, especially when they were asked to talk about what the pageant wishes to achieve.
“We’re sending a message on how they should stand up and complain and one of the contestants had a very good answer,” said Magpale.
The embodiment of an empowered woman herself, Magpale told SunStar Cebu that the contest searches for ladies who do not only have the looks but also the talent and health to be ambassadresses of goodwill in the PWC.
The second round might have concluded but the Top 15 are yet to be determined as the contestants will have to garner likes in their one-minute video in the AAA Renaissance Cebuana Facebook Page.
The candidates were tasked to introduce themselves in the video and talk about their morals, vision and advocacy. Voting started last July 1.
On Aug. 31, the finalists will showcase their talents in the artistic round.
The ultimate AAA Renaissance Woman will become the PWC ambassador and will take home P100,000 and an international trip.