With
the recent success of the country’s candidate to Miss Universe, Janine Tugonon,
who almost won the most coveted crown in the universe, and the astonishing
audience share of the coverage of Mr. Trump’s pageant, no doubt, Filipinos are
really into beauty pageants.
Even
in local setting, people are enticed to watch pageants to see the pretty faces,
stunning curves, and impressive wits of the candidates. In Western Visayas, beauty
pageants are considered as one of the highlights of festivals and town fiestas.
In Antique,
the province where the mountains meet the seas, people also gather to witness
the showdown of beauties. Lovely ladies from different towns vie for the crown
of Lin-ay kang Antique.
According
to the organizers, the Lin-ay kang Antique is a competitive search for an
Antiqueña who would serve as the model for other women in Antique and who would
serve as the province's ambassador of goodwill to Antiqueño communities around
the world and would help bind them as people who could look back with pride and
look ahead with confidence.
Last
December 28, 2012, Fourteen (14) hopefuls competed for the crown, fame, and
honor. Because of so many intrigues and controversies, I was tempted to create
a blog about Lin-ay kang Antique. So allow me to share my observations and insights.
1.
Import-Export
2. No
Show
As
mentioned, there were unrepresented towns. Let me just commend the local
government of Caluya and Libertad for sending their representatives to the
provincial pageant. Considering the fact that the former is an island
municipality and the latter is a fifth-class municipality, they exerted extra
efforts in order to send their candidates, not just for their towns to be
represented, but to help the ladies reach their goals.
3. The
Veterans
It is pretty
usual in every pageant to have the so-called “veterans.” Miss Tibiao,
Gracechele Mae Managuit, is already a beauty titlist having won several pageants
in her school. And Miss Valderrama, Zyra Grace Vedad, has numerous titles
including Miss Western Visayas Tourism 1st Runner-Up and Miss Silka
Panay 2012. They are both stunning. Since then, I thought that the crown would
either go to Miss Tibiao or Miss Valderrama.
a. The Quicker, The Better.
Miss
Tibiao won the title but many were displeased. For others, she did not answer
the question spontaneously. It’s true! But “spontaneously” is different from
“correctly.” She still answered the final question correctly. Answers delivered
spontaneously are different from answers delivered correctly. The former has
the chance to be wrong.
b. The
More Audience, The More Chances of Winning.
c.
Back to Zero.
This
happens during the final interview wherein the hosts would say “Back to zero!”
So people think that whoever gives the best answer wins the pageant. This is
not the reality. In the final round, the candidates are not only judged
according to intelligence, but also according to beauty and character. If the
case is otherwise, then it is not a “beauty” pageant anymore. I put emphasis on
the word “beauty.” Hehe! Others might say intelligence is more important than
beauty. If this is the rationale, then don’t join or watch a beauty pageant.
Let me bring you to an extemporaneous or oration contest. J Remember
Janine Tugonon did not win the crown despite her very clever answer.
d. You
Got Talent so the Crown is Yours.
With
all the exchange of blows, disappointments, and protests, it is safe to say
that, indeed, this is the most controversial year for Lin-ay kang Antique. I
firmly believe that Miss Tibiao, Miss San Jose, and Miss Valderrama deserve
their titles as Lin-ay kang Antique 2012, First Runner-up, and Second Runner-up
respectively. Bottomline: In a beauty pageant, candidates are being judged
according to 3B’s –beauty, body, and brain – and character. The competition has
ended. Congratulations to all the winners. Needless to say, people from Antique
are good looking. J Let us now pray for the betterment of the
province. Kruuuhay Antique!
DISCLAIMER: I do not own the photos posted in this blog.