MANILA, Philippines — Beauty queens really do want world peace.
With the ongoing military operations of Russia on Ukraine dominating the news, even beauty titlists in the thick of preparations for their respective international competitions have found this hard to ignore.
For reigning Miss Eco Philippines Kathleen Paton and Miss Environment Philippines Michelle Arceo, the escalating unrest on the former Soviet territory is a cause for concern, even for those who are miles away from where the brewing war is taking place.
When a member of the pageant media asked in jest what her thoughts are on the matter, Paton gamely said, “I’m ready for that [question]!”
And she was not kidding. When the Inquirer quizzed her at the sidelines of their intimate meeting with the local media at Pandan Asian Café in Quezon City on Feb. 24, Paton said, “I heard that Russia did make a move to Ukraine.”
Arceo, for her part, told the Inquirer, “it is my duty [as a beauty queen] to be informed about what is happening worldwide. It’s unfortunate to see what is happening.”
She also lamented the brewing speculation of a World War III, but appealed to the people not to get too occupied with thoughts “about how disastrous that could be.”
The operatic singer continued: “I hope that the world’s nations can come into terms with each other.”
The two also voiced their concern for those directly affected by the military actions.
“I can’t even begin to imagine what the people of Ukraine are feeling right now… I hope they’re okay. I hope they’re safe. I hope the government there is doing the best that they can,” Paton said.
Arceo, for her part, said, “I’m really praying to God that nothing happens, and we don’t lose any more lives.”
She argued that as beauty queens, they really cannot do much about the situation “except have our own opinions.”
But she is optimistic that beauty titlists can have a big enough voice through collective action, and “we can make a difference and talk to our governments.”
Paton, who was born in Aklan before moving to Australia, also related the Russia-Ukraine conflict to an incident in her hometown.
“In Aklan, something similar happened, but obviously not as extreme. One part of the island that Malay municipality thinks is theirs is actually in Nabas,” she shared.
Paton’s family owns a cold spring resort in Nabas that has also borne the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic. Without any tourists coming, she said her mother has kept their doors open for the locals to swim for free, and offer a respite from the hardships that the global health crisis has brought to them.
Arceo, meanwhile, touched on the environmental impact of Russia’s military operations, with her and Paton’s global pageants carrying a similar theme of protecting the planet.
“When it comes to the ammunition and the military vehicles used, the impact is very high. I’m hoping we can talk to our governments and see how they can lower their carbon emissions,” she said.
Paton is gunning for the country’s second Miss Eco International crown in the global tilt’s seventh edition, which will be staged in Egypt on March 14. Cynthia Thomalla became the first Filipino woman to bring home the crown when she won in 2018. Her successors Maureen Montagne and Kelley Day both finished second in 2019 and 2021, respectively. No competition was staged in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Arceo will compete in the first edition of the Miss Environment pageant which will be staged in India in April.
