Megan on being Miss World: It’s a whirlwind!

Unlike her homecoming right after she won 2013 Miss World in Indonesia last year, Megan Young flew in quietly (sans fanfare, that is) in December to spend the holidays with her family and friends. She’s leaving either Feb. 14 or 15, but is mum on whether she’s spending Valentine with somebody special.

Like most beauty-crazy Filipinos, Megan is excited about the prospects of having this year’s Miss World held here. As early as last year during Megan’s homecoming press conference, Miss World Organization (MWO) head Julia Morley (still recovering from injuries she sustained when the school building she and Megan, together with young students, collapsed in Haiti) said that she would be glad to bring the pageant here “if the Philippines is ready to host it,” considering the disasters that hit the country.

“It would be nice to have the pageant here,” noted Funfare’s “beauty-watcher” and BDO executive Gerry Diaz, who is a member of Aces & Queens (A&Q), the team that has discovered and trained beauty queens like Miss Universe runners-up Venus Raj, Shamcey Supsup and Janine Tugonon. “The Miss Universe pageant was held here in 1974 (won by the late Amparo Muñoz of Spain), a year after Margie Moran won Miss Universe and then 20 years later in 1994 (won by Sushmita Sen of India),” noted Gerry. “May 20-year gap. 20 years have elapsed since then at maganda sana kung every 20 years mag-host tayo ng ganyang pageant. 2014 is the right time because the Philippines has won its first Miss World title.”

Sunday last week (Feb. 2), A&Q hosted a dinner for Megan and 2013 Miss Universe third runner-up Ariella Arida (both are A&Q’s babies). Gerry did an exclusive interview with Megan. Here are excerpts:

After winning Miss World, what is the most memorable thing that has happened to her?

“My Haiti visit. I saw the plight of the Haitians and I commiserated with what they were experiencing. It made me appreciate more the simple things that sometimes we take for granted. It likewise gave me a preview of the mission that lay ahead for me as Miss World.” (Megan was unhurt when the school building collapsed).

What do you like most about being Miss World?

“The traveling. Before, I was scared to go out alone and explore the world. But now, I get fascinated with the different cultures and languages. Of course, what I love most are the international dishes that I get to taste.”

How has being Miss World changed your life?

“To use an analogy, if before I lived my life in a basketball court, now I live it in a soccer field.”

What do you miss most about your life before Miss World?

“The simplicity. I am a very simple person. I miss the times when I can go out anytime without thinking about what dress to wear. Or what makeup and hairstyle I should have.”

Now that you’re Miss World, what was the biggest adjustment you had to make?

“Having to dress up and act like a real lady all the time. I used to dress in a laid-back and casual style.”

Name one famous person that you met as Miss World, with whom you got starstruck.

“My starstruck moment came during a phone conversation with Maria Ressa, the Filipina CEO of Rappler who was once CNN’s bureau chief in Manila then Jakarta before she became CNN’s lead investigative reporter. I was being interviewed by CNN when I mentioned that Maria Ressa was one of my idol journalists. Then, I received a call and it was Maria Ressa on the other line.”

What is your schedule like?

“Very hectic. I will be visiting the following places: Jakarta, to attend the 2014 Miss World Indonesia pageant; Russia, to crown the new Miss Russia who will be competing in both the 2014 Miss World and Miss Universe pageants and she will have the rare distinction of being crowned by two reigning queens (2013 Miss Universe Maria Gabriela Isler and I will crown the new Miss Russia); USA, for another telethon, details of which cannot be disclosed yet; Colombia, for a Beauty With A Purpose project; Haiti, to continue the Beauty With A Purpose project that will provide water to the residents of the Miss World Foundation’s adopted community. At present, the residents of that community walk two hours to get water and another two hours to get back home.”

Three countries that you would like to visit as Miss World?

“1) Brazil…I want to watch the World Cup. 2) Cambodia…I’d love to see Angkor Wat; and 3) Egypt…I have long wanted to see the pyramids; ancient architecture has always fascinated me.”

(E-mail reactions at entphilstar@yahoo.com. You may also send your questions to askrickylo@gmail.com.)