I only wake up early for two things: morning examinations and the live telecast of Miss Universe.
(Photo from OPBM Worldwide)
The live streaming wasn’t due until 9:00 AM (PHT) and I woke up at around 9:20 AM. When I opened my laptop, they were already calling the last three spots for the Top 16 (Australia, India and USA). I was at lost whether we got in or not. The camera panned and I saw Philippines but I wasn’t sure if she was standing at the background or not.
Anyway, fast forward to the question and answer, I think this was the best delivery of answer from any Philippine contestants in years. I also have a feeling, though, that it was one question that she has most likely known the answer for. In previous competitions, the Q&A portion has become the perennial stumbling block for our bets. Janine’s final question was asked by a Tweet and read by Nigel Barker:
Nigel: “As an international ambassador, do you think speaking English is a prerequisite to being Miss Universe?”
Janine: For me, being Miss Universe is not just about knowing how to speak a specific language. It’s about being able to influence and inspire other people.If you have a heart to serve and a strong mind to show people then you can be Miss Universe.”
The answer was spot on and I sighed with relief. No unnecessary buying of time by greeting the crowd, etc. Janine had a good chance of winning and I was not worried that we’ll get a First Runner Up finish at least and I was prepared for that. I shouldn’t have drunk coffee while watching because my heart was racing when only the two ladies (USA and Philippines) were left on stage. I was half expecting USA to win due to various reasons I don’t want to mention. LOL Anyway good for her but I am equally proud of what our girl has accomplished.
As I’ve mentioned somewhere else, what was nice with Janine winning (along with Venus two years ago) was that it expands the meaning of beauty here in our country. Our drugstores and even neighborhood sari-sari stores are plagued with glutathione and whitening products, and every form of media subliminally prizes fair skin. Heck, the marketing was so aggressive that you even see in-your-face billboards along EDSA and Gretchen Baretto with her whitening products plastered on the back of buses. I think seeing these lovely ladies give new meaning to what is beautiful elevates the notion that beauty is not limited to having a fair skin. In most Asian countries (if not all), having a fair skin is equated to a more favorable class stature because it meant not being exposed to labor under the sun. Conversely, in most Western cultures, having tanned skin meant that a person can afford going on holidays and vacations in a tropical country.
All cultural relativism aside, beauty is still subjective but I would at least like to see Filipinos (particularly Filipinas) embrace their natural complexion. I cringe at the sight of two-toned faces I see everyday (e.g. fairer face with a distinct demarcation in the neck area of the darker skin due to peeling or excessive use of face powder — geisha much? Are you trying to fetch a higher price for your mizuage?). I’m not going to pretend that I also did not aspire to have a fairer skin before. I was easily impressionable at a young age and I also saw some of my friends do the same thing so I joined the bandwagon. It did not work for me and not to mention it was costly. However, it might be a personal journey, though, for every person on learning how to accept the color of one’s skin. My personal mantra — as long as there’s no pimple, then I’m fine with it; but hopefully it’s not wrinkly and dry as well. LOL
Anyway, congratulations to Janine Tugonon for bagging the First Runner Up as it was an excellent finish. But moreover, thank you for continuing to lay the groundwork of expanding the meaning of beauty. You made me love my skin more than before. =D
P.S.
I cringe at the pressure to be bestowed at next year’s candidate to Miss Universe because we now have a three-year streak at the Top 5 — that is if the world would not end tomorrow!