Cebuanas are semi-finalists in Studio 23’s reality show

CEBU, Philippines - Who says only young, single Filipinas with long legs and whistle-bait figures can aspire to be beauty queens?

Not the brains behind Studio 23’s upcoming reality show “Gusto Kong Maging Beauty Queen: The Search for the Modern Pinay Beauty,” as they go beyond the norm of what a typical Filipina beauty queen should be.

“Kung akala mo hindi ka pwedeng maging beauty queen, ito ang pageant para sa iyo,” so goes the exciting program’s tagline.

An inspirational weekly show ala American television’s “The Swan,” it is touted by producers as a great avenue for ladies who have lost their confidence, suffered from emotional pain, or those simply looking for a major change in life. And yes, just like “The Swan,” cosmetic surgical procedures will be performed to those willing to go under the knife courtesy of the multi-specialty aesthetic institute Beverly Hills 6750, which is producing the show.

“We are a passionate, even obsessive country when it comes to beauty pageants. There are women who feel they can no longer join because they could already be married or beyond the age limit, or due to physical insecurities. In this show, they will have the opportunity to discover their outer beauty, apart from their inner beauty,” said the show’s director Jeffrey Hidalgo, better known as a pioneer member of the Smokey Mountain singing group.

Aspirants, in fact, were not given physical requirements. The short, fat, over 30’s, married, with children were all welcomed during screenings. Beyond the physical, what judges looked for in a probable finalist were her passion and readiness to be transformed not only in body and face, but in character as well.

Currently, the show’s production team is still scouring the entire country to complete the 30 semi-finalist slots.

Their second leg of auditions was in Cebu, held at Mandaue City’s Cultural and Sports Complex. Six Cebuanas made the cut as semi-finalists, namely, Jessiel Marie Cabahug, Juriza Arofo, Hazel del Castillo, Crystal Herell, Gina Estrada and Cherry Mae Estreller. The ladies, along with other semi-finalists, will live in a common house in Manila for the duration of the program’s filming where they will eventually be trimmed down to the final 12.

Finalists will be subjected to a challenge each week, and based on their performance, one lady will be eliminated until the last woman standing will be declared the show’s beauty queen. A prize worth two million pesos awaits the winner.

In line with their goal of achieving both inner and outer beauty, candidates will have sessions with life coaches, lessons on personality development and image enhancement, and workshops with known beauty queens.

Asked what prompted them to join, Jessiel Marie Cabahug was first to answer, saying she wanted to prove to those people who underestimate her that she too has what it takes to be a beauty queen.

Hazel del Castillo, married with five kids, said she wanted to come out of her shell and explore what she is capable of. Crystal Herell, a pretty mestiza from Lapu-Lapu City, said that her entire life, “people just look at my face. I want to show that beauty also comes from within.” For housewife Gina Estrada, she believes that “Kahit mataba, meron pang laban.”

To be hosted by TV personality Angel Jacob (she does double duty as a judge), “Gusto Kong Maging Beauty Queen” will be aired 11 a.m. Sundays, with its premiere episode scheduled on February 17, 2013.

Sitting with Jacob in the judges’ panel is the statuesque Miss World 2011 1st Princess Gwendolyn Ruais who will also act as mentor to the finalists.

The third judge is Michael Carandang, whose impressive résumé includes producing Tyra Banks’ “America’s Next Top Model” and being a former production assistant for “The Jerry Springer Show.” This US-bred Filipino is also a Daytime Emmy awardee for his work as producer for “The Tyra Banks Show” when it won in the Best Talk Show/Informative category in 2009. (FREEMAN)