I was in first year college when I experienced joining a beauty pageant. I felt euphoric because never in my wildest dream have I ever thought of being in a beauty pageant. I have chinita eyes, and I am fair-skinned, but I don't look as pretty as my high school classmates who joined pageants to represent our class. Back then, I don't use make ups, I don't wear lipstick and a baby powder is all I need.
Second semester came and one of the college instructors came to orient us about the incoming school foundation anniversary. There will be a lot of activities, and along with those is the crowning of the so-called school's Mr. and Miss. Our instructor asked for volunteers as to who will join the pageant, and one of my male classmates was easily selected since he has a lot of experience back in high school. It was hard selecting the female representative from our class because no one wants to volunteer. We nominated some, but our instructor didn't approve. Jennifer is one of the smartest, so we nominated her, but her height is only 5 feet which is quite small, and she is also chubby. There's also Veronica who is fair-skinned and pretty with a long straight, blonde hair and a pointed nose, but she was also rejected because of the way she speaks. Even when she speaks English, her rinconada (a variant of the Bicol language) accent is overpowering, which sounds weird. Our last option is Angelica who has an angelic face and a Morena kind of beauty, but honestly, she's not that smart so she was rejected too.
Then one of my male classmates kiddingly said "how about Shiela sir? She's smart, fair-skinned and has a slim body. She'll be perfect!" And I said, "Noooooooo!" I have a stage fright, and I am very shy. I do not even know how to do that pageant walk.
But that time, I was also struggling with my programming classes and there's the thesis too. My instructor perfectly knows about that, so he made an agreement with us that whoever will represent the class will automatically get a hundred percent rate at the final exam and that means the person no longer have to study for the finals and can focus on the thesis instead. So, I agreed.
But it was not an easy journey. During the first day of practice, the gay PE instructor who is in-charge of the pageant scolded me a lot for not knowing how to walk properly. I'm not good at dancing either, so I embarrassed myself during practice for the opening performance. But I endured it all. Good thing, my partner (who happens to be my crush) was patient with me. He helped me practice the dance, and he taught me how to walk and pose properly. I felt like I'm on cloud nine. Just imagine your crush being your personal trainer. He's also one of the reasons why I agreed to join. It's a chance to get closer to him! lol.
It was another challenge during the pictorial. I didn't tell my parents about it, so I don't have enough money to buy my swimwear. I went to thrift shop to find a decent swimwear but most of it are two-piece swimsuits which I am not confident to wear. I searched more and fortunately, I found something that suits for me.
It's a two-piece cloth I bought for only $2 if my memory serves me right. I thought it's perfect for me because I don't have to show too much skin, unlike the other contestants. And it perfectly suits my slim body too. My goal is not to win, but to participate.
It was a challenge both to me and the photographer too because my poses are too awkward, and I'm too shy to get near my crush. 😅 Thankfully, I made it through that day and survived with the support of my instructors and classmates. I didn't win the popularity award, but I was impressed of how my photos turned out.
The day of the pageant finally came. I was impressed with what the makeup artists made to my face. It's like an ugly duckling turned to swan moment. I looked pretty, and the pimples are gone! They taught me how to introduce myself.
I didn't think I would win nor to be a placer because they are all too good. My only edge is the question-and-answer portion.
If there's anyone who is sure to win, I thought it would be the lady in black tank top and white pants. She seemed like a pro, and she got a lot of support from our schoolmates. And there is that lady in white too, who is the face of our school. She's very pretty and has a fair and smooth skin, and she's also very smart.
The pageant has two parts. The first part is that casual thing, which includes the opening dance while wearing our sports attire and introduction.
There's a part where we must wear our school uniform and this when we had to answer the preliminary questions which will determine whether we can proceed to the final round or not.
Fortunately, I answered the question with confidence, so I got in the top three. And I can't believe I did it!
And the last part is to wear an evening gown. The fair-skinned ladies wore black and the Morena or brown-skinned ones wore a long white gown, while the gentlemen wore their barong Tagalog. After this, the top three pairs are announced. I was really surprised that I was in the top three, while that lady who I thought is sure to win never made it to the final round. Life is ironic.
And finally, we had to pick the judge that will ask us a question.
I forgot what the question is, but all I know is that I answered it with a smile and just blabbered whatever.
I won second runner-up which was unexpected and the other girl from my department won the crown. It was good for us because our department was on top. My advisers told me they were surprised about my performance because they also thought I'm not going to the top three. Let me tell you that prior to the pageant, they were really frustrated about the way I walk and the way I danced, and their only hope is the question and answer. Well, life is full of surprises.
This is one of the most unforgettable experience I had, and I don't think I'd ever do it again.
Lead images taken from dreamstime.com
Galing.. Ang sexy mo 🥰