Like Funfare’s Big Apple correspondent Edmund Silvestre, those who know Alexa Kirby, the official bet of the US East Coast Filipino-American community in the upcoming Miss World-Philippines in November, are keeping their fingers crossed that she could be 2013 Miss World Megan Young’s heiress apparent.
The 18-year-old Philadelphia-born Fil-Am won the first ever Miss Philippines Quest USA held last July 12 in Manhattan.
Edmund said that Grace Labaguis, head of Synergy Production & Marketing, Inc. (franchise holder of Miss Philippines Quest USA) couldn’t contain her excitement over Alexa’s “more exciting, competitive” look.
“That photo (referring to the one on this page showing Alexa up close) is a much improved version of Alexa Kirby,” Labaguis, who is also marketing consultant for GMA Pinoy TV, told Funfare. “We know that Alexa has so much potential and her training with a reputable beauty camp in Manila will only improve her chances of becoming Megan Young’s successor. She’ll get even better as she gains more confidence. Remember she’s just starting and she has two more months to prepare for the coronation night.”
Accompanied by her grandmother Corazon Llamas, Alexa left for Manila on Sept. 4 to prepare for what she described as “the “biggest challenge of my young life.” She’s now undergoing rigorous training with the Kagandahang Flores Beauty Camp, a prestigious training ground for many of the country’s major beauty titleholders, already eclipsing a group that also claims to be “queen-makers.”
“I am taking the challenge and I will try hard to learn everything I need to learn, like walking gracefully in heels, having proper posture and building up confidence,” Alexa told Edmund a day prior to her departure for Manila.
According to Edmund, Alexa used the round-trip airfare ticket that she won in New York, plus a $1,000 allowance, and brought with her an evening gown by New York’s One.10 Collection for the Philippine competition. A close family friend is also helping financially, Alexa informed Edmund.
“I actually feel good about myself and my body, but I know I have to do some fitness routines to give my body the toned look,” the 5’8” tall beauty shared. “I also have to stay away from Filipino food which I love very much, especially tapa and longganisa, at least until the pageant is over.”
Alexa, a summer camp counselor who just finished high school, said she also hopes to polish her communication skills for the Q&A.
She gamely answered two questions posed by Funfare (through Edmund) to see how she would fare with on-the-spot Q&As:
With the world suffering from widespread poverty and never-ending war and violence, are beauty pageants still relevant?
“I think it has become even more relevant these days because beauty pageants have been supporting charity organizations with the candidates themselves adopting social platforms and helping promote good causes such as education, and the preservation of environment, as well as peace and order. A beauty queen can help comfort the disadvantaged and give people hope.”
What is the most interesting piece of advice you’ve received in your joining Miss World-Philippines?
“It’s actually from my dad. He told me that whenever I feel nervous or unsure of something, just pretend that everything is fine. He told me not to let people know that I don’t know what I’m doing. I really find that advice interesting.
Alexa’s journey to Miss World-Philippines entails a lot of sacrifice as she had to postpone college to study criminal justice leading to a career in Federal Law enforcement, or Law. Also, for the first time, she has to live away from her Pinay mother and Caucasian father, as well as her close friends.
“My parents are 100 percent behind me,” she said. “My goal is to win the crown for them and for the entire Fil-Am community counting on me. I just hope all the sacrifices will be worth it.”
(E-mail reactions at entphilstar@yahoo.com. You may also send your questions to cmailto:entphilstar@yahoo.com. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)