Miriam, Charlene, Melanie

Did you have favorite beauty queens when you were growing up?

Miriam Quiambao was one of my favorites. Charlene Gonzales, oh my gosh. When I first saw her in person, I was first runner-up in 2013. She interviewed us and I was the only one without a crown. Sabi nya sa akin, “You should join again because I think you deserve a crown.” She said that on air. I said thank you.

Backstage, I was looking for her because I wanted a picture with her. When I finally got the chance to, I was crying, I was in tears. I was like, “Oh my gosh, I can’t believe I’m talking to you.”

Also, one time, I was going to park my car at ABS-CBN and biglang lumabas si Melanie Marquez. I wanted to get down and introduce myself but may mga sasakyan sa likod ko so I couldn’t. When I see them I want to go to them and introduce myself.

I have that urge… parang, can I get your blessing please?

Do you feel extra pressure because the other girls have done really well in the Miss Universe pageant?

I’ve been feeling it especially lately. When I won, mga first two weeks, wala pa eh. I was still on a high. Now, I feel the pressure, definitely.

I’ve started looking at the girls I will compete against. I follow them on Instagram, they follow me back. I feel like the job is fun, it’s easy, enjoyable. I like being interviewed, offering my help to charities, training and keeping fit.

What’s making it hard is the people around it. You have so many people watching you, praising you but also judging you as early as now. Ngayon pa lang sinasabi na nila ano yung magiging placement ko sa Miss Universe. Guys, you have to give me some time to prepare…

Things could change. But people are so excited that it puts a lot of pressure. Also, because other girls, the ones before me, they placed really well. Hindi naman sa I’m competing to just be a good representative; at the very least, I have to make it to top five.

How are you preparing?

More on the workout. I don’t really think I have a problem with Q&A for now. I just need to keep updated on current events. We’ll also do some public speaking training eventually, but I’m not worried about that. This early, I’ve been working on my own. I’ve been working out because I really think that’s the aspect I need to focus on.

Have you always been comfortable with the Q&A, or is that something that developed over time?

When I started with the training, like everybody else, I was afraid. But my Q&A trainer, he would correct you if you were wrong but he would also give you the confidence that you could answer whatever was thrown at you.

You don’t have to be formally educated to answer these questions. It’s not rocket science, ‘di ba? They’re vague, and basically what it calls for is for you to go to your core.

The questions are “What is love?” “What is family?” “What makes you happy?” These are questions you should be able to answer in a casual setting. Parang slam book lang naman yan eh, di ba?

The challenge is how to make your answer witty, how to come off really charming and how to come up with original answers.

It becomes more difficult when they ask questions that are more specific, like politics, religion and your stand on certain issues. But I like that. It’s a challenge. As I started training, I realized, kaya ko naman pala sagutin.

I don’t have to be afraid of the questions unless they give me mathematical questions, then I will have a difficult time. (laughs)

Does the training become more rigorous as the pageant date nears?

Yes. I have physical training. We also have a personality development training with Dale Carnegie. When I find out where the Miss Universe pageant is, I’ll start learning the language of the host country. I think it’s a plus.