Entertainment Covering Miss Universe on my home turnf
Many Oponganons had tried to convince themselves that January 17, 2017 was just another 24 hours of toil, another mark on the calendar, another blasted signal-less day, and –
for a student like me – one of studying for hours on end.
When really, it was not. I mean, how often do you get to see 6 confidently beautiful ladies from all ver the world, parading along the streets f your city, or maybe catch a glimpse of hem rushing by the hotel lobby, and if ou’re lucky enough—maybe even see hem up close as they walk down the unway? Not all the time, was what I thought! Truly, the people of Lapu-Lapu City elcomed the Miss Universe delegates as armly as they could for the day’s wimsuit Presentation at Jpark Island esort and Waterpark. They would have robably ushered the ladies into their omes if they had to, even if they ouldn’t get to see the swimsuit resentation with front row seats let alone nter the venue.
However, amidst the early morning reeze, for the students who rolled out of ed extra early wearing an array of ational costumes and cut-out replicas of he Miss Universe crown, all of the boys nd girls playing their band instruments he best they could, for the teachers who ccompanied them, and even entire amilies and commuters who waited along he streets for a glimpse of the Miss niverse convoy—they had felt included nough.
“As a Filipino, I feel proud that we get to show our culture to the world through the Miss Universe competition,” college student Dezsa Rubio said, before adding, “But the signal interruption was still an inconvenience.”
For the average everyday person who isn’t antisocial and nihilistic, Miss Universe was magic – magnified by Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach’s epic win last year. The fact that a prestigious event such as this would take place in the country after more than 20 years, with an ancillary event in Cebu, it’s as surreal as it can get.
And who wants an average day, when you can have magic? When you can have surreal?
Being able to cover the Miss Universe Swimsuit Presentation was a lot of things— but it was nothing close to magical. Mind you, I am an average person who had midterm examinations to study for—the only (slight) difference between you and me is that I have a press ID slung around my neck.
A lot of things could be had from that day, and I don’t want to burst your bubble, and I would hate to be the person to debunk the magic that is Miss Universe, but really people should know that an event is really at the end of the day, an event.
Don’t get me wrong, the ladies were superb in their chic Yamamay swimwear—brave and bold as they did their utmost to represent their respective countries.
Confidence is disarming, and it takes a lot of it to be able to make your people proud—not everyone can say that they were able to do that. Graceful step after graceful step, the ladies worked the runway like nobody’s business.
After battling it out to become your country’s representative, and then shipped off in a place you’ve never been in before to face more than 80 stunners— it’s a daunting task, and yet the candidates made it through the day with all smiles—waving at the guests, saying hello to passers-by, and even stopping for endless photos.
Surely, the pageant life can be exhausting as well. I would have probably asked the ladies on the pageant nitty-gritty—but then there was a no-interview policy. Oh well, c’est la vie.
What the public doesn’t know is that, before one of the girls get to wear the crown, a lot of things had to happen. Countless briefings, last-minute meetings, innumerable calls and letters, faux pas here and there, and days that stretched out into evenings and then into mornings once again.
The day of the swimwear competition felt like forever. Everyone did a lifetime’s worth of waiting, we felt like we could out-hugot Medyo Maldito in a heartbeat, rushing around looking for stable internet connection, and the futile attempts of reaching certain people despite the phone signal interruption—but that’s part of the job.
Almost being denied coverage of the event together with other members of the Cebu media however—now that probably took a couple of years off my life span.
But now that’s all behind us, and that’s what plan B’s are for. No matter which way you look at it, hosting the Miss Universe event had more pros than it had cons.
For one thing, it would massively help tourism in the country. The ladies, who have been going around our different tourist spots, experiencing the very best of Filipino culture across the entire archipelago for weeks, would bear testament to what the Philippines has to offer.Honorable Wanda Tulfo-Teo of the Department of Tourism made a point during the swimsuit presentation.
“Let us not feel bad at watching these beautiful ladies walk the runway—making us regret all of the Christmas parties we went to during the holidays,” Teo jokingly began before jumping to business.
“We need the support of everyone, for a sustainable tourism program under the new administration,” Teo said, reiterating that it would need the efforts of not just the government but of everyone in the country.
Reigning Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach mentioned in a television interview that she was most proud about changing the image of what it takes to be a beauty queen and reminded her countrymen about courtesy and respect.
“Lahat po tayo representative ng Pilipinas,” the outgoing title-holder posted on her Twitter account.
Shawn McLain, in behalf of the Miss Universe Organization was more than happy to have had the Filipina as the embodiment of a confidently beautiful woman of this age and time.
“It’s heart-warming. For us, it’s a very special time to be here in Cebu, and to put the Philippines in a very positive light—we’re very honored to do that,” McLain imparted.
“There’s a little sadness and in the end we have to let Pia go. She’s grown so much and has been an amazing representative, for spreading messages of goodwill. We thank you for giving us Pia for a year.”
Sponsors get revenue, the government receives praise, and the people deserve their share of thanks too.
Former governor and Miss Universe sponsor Luis Chavit Singson expressed his gratitude at the cooperation of both the government and the private sector.
“We have hosted the pageant in 1974, and in 1994. Since then the country has made several tries to bring back the privilege once more,” Singson shared.
“This means a lot to the Philippines and the Filipino people. Our exposure in this prestigious pageant will bring us different prospects like jobs and employment opportunities. We still have many stops all over the country, meant to showcase to the whole world what the Philippines has to offer.”
Indeed, the country has been busy preparing for the grand array of events leading up to the coronation night—the entire country coming together in different ways unbeknownst to the general public.
And I guess, that is the magic of Miss Universe—not the glamorous, larger than life personas but rather its ability to bring together entire countries, encourage an entirely different kind of sportsmanship and diplomacy among all of the nations involved.
And in the end we find ourselves agreeing with former Governor Singson as the country tries its utmost to bring its best foot forward.
“We shouldn’t say ‘welcome’,” Singson asserted. “But rather, we should greet them [delegates] ‘Welcome home.’”