Maxine’s appeal to supporters, bashers
“Let’s be positive.” That’s Miss Philippines Maxine Medina’s message to fellow Filipinos, taking into stride feedback perceived to be critical of her.
While the 26-year-old model and budding interior designer admitted that her family has been affected by some negative talk, Maxine is obviously trying her best not to let it get to her.
She’s also not taking offense with the comment of former Miss Universe Gloria Diaz on her chances of inheriting the crown from reigning Miss U Pia Wurtzbach and giving pageant-crazy Philippines a back-to-back victory.
In news reports, Diaz was quoted as saying that she thinks Maxine’s chances are “one in a million” because it could be deemed unfair for the Philippine bet to win in her own country as it might appear like a “hometown decision.”
“I truly understand Ms. Gloria’s sentiments. She was also a candidate. I’m sure she can still feel the feelings of the candidates,” Maxine said in an interview during the recent meet and greet with some 20 Miss U candidates organized by pageant presenters PLDT and Smart Communications.
There’s also such a thing called fate as she said, “Kung mag-sa- shine ka, magsashine ka talaga that night (if you’ll shine, you really will shine that night). If it’s yours, it’s really yours.”
Maxine cited as an example Miss USA Olivia Culpo who went on to win Miss U in 2012 when the pageant was held in Las Vegas.
“A lot is hoping for that (a back-toback win). Me also, I’m really praying for it. Sana suportahan ako. I hope we can make history for the Philippines,” Maxine added.
For Miss USA Deshauna Barber, Maxine may be a rival to the title, but she’s all praise for the Philippine bet. “She’s a wonderful representation of the Philippines,” she told The
STAR. She added that Maxine reminds her so much of Pia, in terms of her mannerisms, humor and “always happy” attitude amidst their backbreaking schedule that would allow them at times only two or three hours of sleep.
“Oh my gosh! I don’t know if it’s a Filipino thing but they’re both almost the same to me,” Deshauna said. “Miss Universe is going to be exhausted a lot so you need someone that’s able to handle that pressure, and I think Maxine is a wonderful representation of what a Miss Universe should be as well from what I’ve seen from her.”
The 27 year old herself has been coping well with the nonstop Miss U activities because she has had faced more stressful situations as someone serving in the military prior to joining Miss USA.
Asked what she has learned about the Philippines so far, the army lieutenant turned-beauty queen said, “I’ve learned that a lot here has a lot of hospitality... who really just want you to have a good time. I wish we had that type of personality with everyone in the US. They can learn a lot from the people of the Philippines. I do really mean that.”
Miss Russia Yuliana Korolkova, for her part, vowed that when she goes home, her supporters will definitely be hearing good things about the country.
“Of course, I would tell them, they should come here and enjoy the atmosphere, people and food, everything! I really enjoy the Philippines. It’s the most friendly place I’ve been to,” said the 22-year-old model who named “Durian country Davao” as her most favorite yet among the destinations they had visited.
Yuliana also shared that the Miss U pageant, which her own country had hosted in 2013, is a huge event back home. “I have big support from my country. They’re all excited about the show,
for everything. So, I’m very thankful to them, but not only to them but also the (Philippine) people, Asian people, even Latin American people, so I have support from around the world. It’s amazing.”
As for Miss Colombia Andrea Tovar: “I love the Philippines, I love Manila, I love Baguio, it’s amazing, the culture, many things (are) so similar to my country.”
“My mom is coming. I’m so excited for that because it’s the first time of my mom to ride a plane for 30 hours!” she also told The STAR.
Andrea also doesn’t mind the rigorous schedule. There has been no let-up of activities since the 86 candidates started arriving second week of January. Early this week alone, they’ve had at least four events, including the courtesy call on President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañang last Monday. Tomorrow will be the preliminary competition to be followed by the showcase of national costumes at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena.
“I don’t tire. I don’t have time to feel tired or to feel sad,” the 22-yearold model said, reasoning that this is once-in-a-lifetime experience. “I enjoy everything.”
Meanwhile, pageant fans are hoping for a “rematch” between Miss Philippines and Miss Colombia come finals on Jan. 30 at the MOA Arena.
To recall, the then Miss Colombia was mistakenly crowned as 2015 Miss Universe before host Steve Harvey rectified his mistake and announced Pia Wurtzbach as winner.
“It was a sad situation,” Andrea said. “But Ariadna (Gutierrez) is so amazing today.” The former Miss Colombia is set to make her Hollywood debut this year as the love interest of Vin Diesel in the movie xXx: The Return of Xander Cage.
Andrea also shared that Ariadna gave her a send-off message, and that is to make sure to “enjoy the show.”
“I have many pressure, but I enjoy every moment, every experience. In all these (the most important thing) is to be me, that I don’t change.”
Meanwhile, the online voting window is now open for fans to vote for their bet and help her earn a slot in the Top 12. Until Jan. 28, fans can vote up to 10 times per day for every registered account via vote. missuniverse.com, the official Miss U app, on Twitter by using #MissUniverse and the country specific hashtag found on the voting site, or by downloading the new mobile messaging app Vodi.
Fans can continue casting votes during the telecast. For each competition round, viewers will get 10 votes to distribute among the semi-finalists so that they can help choose the new Miss U.
In the three-hour special programming of the 65th Miss Universe, for the first time ever, semifinalists will be grouped into a Top 12, 9, 6 and 3. This set-up will allow viewers to learn more about the contestants’ achievements, interests and goals should they succeed Miss U Pia Wurtzbach.
Whoever takes over the crown should replicate, if not surpass, what Pia has done during her reign, according to Miss USA. She and Pia were roommates at the New York luxury apartment that houses the winners of Miss U, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA.
“I’m so heartbroken that we’re not going to be roommates anymore,” said Deshauna. “But I do wish her luck with everything that she’s doing in the future... When I say how she is on stage, that graciousness, the way she handles herself, she does that behind closed doors, it’s not just a front.”
Deshauna continued, “She’s always: Did I do this or did I do OK? I don’t think she realizes how wonderful she is. I don’t think she understands the impact she’s made on so many people around the world. I really don’t think she gets it, and I hope she listens to this: That you are an incredible person and we have been really honored to be in your presence, not just as an organization but also, for me, as a ‘sister’ and as a friend.
“(Pia) put her whole heart into it. I really pray and hope that whoever is going to be Miss Universe is going to do the same thing.”