PASAY CITY—When a team of young women revived the Miss Asia Pacific international pageant several years ago, the competition started advocating “beauty in diversity” and encouraged the contestants to celebrate what makes them unique.
Now on its 51st year, the global tilt has launched the “#LoveTheDifference” campaign to further communicate this message across the world.
“It’s a collaboration of the team. We want to really push to everyone to love the differences in their culture, religion, or color of their skin,” Jacqueline Tan-Sainz, the pageant’s president, told the Inquirer at the candidates’ press presentation held at the Marriott Hotel in Pasay City on Oct. 1.
“These differences make everyone unique,” she added.
The pageant’s general manager, Essa Santos, said #LoveTheDifference was launched “to reinforce and better explain in simpler words what the advocacy is all about, really pushing the message that the power and strength in diversity is found in embracing one’s uniqueness, and each other’s uniqueness.”
As a result, the organizers have encouraged the delegates to express themselves when choosing what to wear in the activities, and be “in what they’re comfortable in,” Santos shared.
The campaign also resulted in changes with how the semifinalists are chosen.
Before their arrival in the Philippines, the delegates were asked to send videos showing how they promote the pageant’s “Beauty in Diversity” advocacy. The submitted materials were then used to select the continental ambassadors who gained automatic slots in the Top 25.
Five continental queens were announced on Oct. 4—Cameroon’s Michele-Ange Minkata (Africa), Belgium’s Lauralyn Vermeersch (Europe), New Zealand’s Chelsea Martin (Oceania), Canada’s Jessica Cianchino (Americas), and Mutya Pilipinas Klyza Castro (Asia).
The pageant also invited all the delegates to a self-discovery activity with the training company Train Station.
“The event was about embracing who you are, using what you have, your gifts and talents, also your backstory, and your experiences to your advantage. Be proud of them, proud that that is where you come from, your origin and story,” Santos explained.
Sainz also said the questions that will be asked during the coronation ceremonies will mostly revolve around the celebration of one’s uniqueness.
The two ladies expressed how happy they are that reigning queen Sharifa Areef Mohammad Omar Akeel has embodied the pageant’s message.
“I love how she fits right in our advocacy. We all know she comes from a very humble background. And despite all adversity and challenges, she came out beautifully, and she represents her culture and community with pride,” Santos said.
Sainz added: “She is the epitome of #LoveTheDifference. She has a different culture than the usual people in the metro. She is also part-Qatari. How she is, her religion, where she comes from, her lifestyle make her unique, and perfect as Miss Asia Pacific International.”
Akeel is the first Muslim woman to win the crown, and the fifth Filipino woman to bring home the title.
“It takes a lot of courage, perseverance and determination to wear this crown,” she told the Inquirer.
“I hope I have inspired other people with my story and my success,” Akeel added.
“Simply embrace who you are, regardless of where you come from, or your religion. Embrace and love your own beauty, be the best version of yourself,” the aspiring elementary school teacher continued.
Akeel will relinquish her title to her successor, who will be proclaimed at the coronation ceremonies which will be staged at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World Manila in Pasay City on Oct. 9.
Hometown girl Castro is competing against 53 other delegates from different parts of the globe.
The Philippine Daily Inquirer is a media partner of the 2019 Miss Asia Pacific International pageant.