Lessons beauty queens learned from their dads

MANILA, Philippines - Long before the country ogled at them as they sashayed on the ramp and won the prestigious crowns, these queens have always been the precious princesses of their fathers.

2014 Miss Universe Philippines MJ Lastimosa grew up having a “long distance” relationship with her father, Saud Al Shabrami, who was based in the Middle East. Even with several miles between them, they were still able to nurture solid father-daughter bond.

2014 Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental  Kris Janson’s dad Alfredo Blando Janson Jr., a former duty manager flight dispatcher of PAL, was the first to persuade his daughter to try the pageant circuit. Sadly, he didn’t live to see his dream come true.

2014 Bb. Pilipinas Supranational Yvethe Santiago has always been the apple of her father’s eye, Napoleon. On the other hand, Gonzalo Sison, father of Bb. Pilipinas second runner-up Hannah Sison, is a pastor and a management director of a non-government organization (NGO), which explains the staunch values that Hannah grew up with.

As a Father’s Day tribute and as a testimony that fatherly love conquers the challenges of distance, life’s realities and event death, the Binibining Pilipinas 2014 queens share the most important lessons their fathers have taught them about love and life.

What is the most valuable lesson about life and love has your father taught you?

MJ: My dad taught me that true love exists. Despite our distance and the distance between us while I was growing up, my father always showed his care and love through the sacrifices they endured. It was a long distance father-daughter relationship but that did not take away from the quality of his love. Love has no boundaries indeed.

Kris: By now, everyone would have known that it was my dad that encouraged me to join the pageant and go for the crown. That is one of the lessons in life that my dad taught me while he was alive — to enjoy, give my all to everything I do and live life to the fullest. I am glad that I took his advice.

Yvethe: My dad taught me to think before you act. He stressed that every decision we make will always have an effect not only to ourselves but also to the people around us. According to him, although it is okay to commit occasional mistakes, thinking things thoroughly before doing an action would steer me from costly blunders in life. He always told me to be considerate at all times.

Hannah: My father has this impregnable faith in God. The most valuable lesson I learned from my father is to trust God at all times. No matter how hard life gets, he told me that God would always have a greater plan that will turn around the situation. That has helped me in coping with the twists and turns that life has offered.

What is the one trait of your dad that you would change if you could?

MJ: Just like anyone, my father is not perfect. However, all his imperfections and good traits make him what he truly is and there is nothing I would like to change. I love him for his good qualities as well as his imperfections.

Kris: Just like most daughters, to my eyes, my dad was perfect. He was a prankster, a fun guy to be with and that made him everyone’s favorite person to have around. Although he was a bit short-tempered, he made up for that with his sense of humor. I miss the fun times we had, his mischievous pranks. Most of all, I miss his laughter very much.

Yvethe: My Dad has always been the strong and silent type. He is a man of few words. Before I didn’t care much for this quality because it was difficult for me to understand him. But as I grew older, I had learned to appreciate that his silence made me hang on to whatever that would come out from his mouth. When he finally speaks his mind, everyone pays attention. For my Dad, words are powerful weapons and they must be used with care lest someone gets hurt unnecessarily.

Hannah: My Dad can be quite a rebel when it comes to his health. Despite having diabetes, sometimes he can’t keep himself from indulging his sweet tooth and love for soft drinks. I would also like him to exercise more for his health.

Fathers will always have a soft spot for their daughters. And daughters will always look up to their fathers. Even as they continue to conquer the hearts of many and prepare for their international pageants, in the eyes of MJ, Kris, Yvethe and Hannah, their fathers will always be that man they will always look up to and never break their hearts.