Miss Universe candidates moved by cleft lip patients

MANILA, Philippines ­— Candidates of the 65th Miss Universe pageant might have explored the beaches of Boracay and Cebu, modeled the best designer gowns in Vigan, picked strawberries in Baguio, and partied in a luxury cruise to Batangas, but many of them agree that their most favorite activity, so far, was to bond with patients with cleft lip or palate under the care of international children’s charity Smile Train.

Miss Universe Organization chief executive officer Paula Shugart said spending time with Smile Train beneficiaries last Friday probably has been her favorite day in Miss Universe this year because she discovered how easy it is to change lives - cleft surgery might be simple, but the transformation it gives to the patient lasts a lifetime.

“Everyone deserves the right to have a smile…We’re raising awareness and hope to let every woman know that her baby has hope,” Shugart said.

She added that Smile Train has so far performed 6,000 surgeries in the Philippines in one year, and around 45,000 surgeries since 2001. Still, 120,000 cleft patients are in need of surgery in the Philippines and over 5,000 more are being born with the condition each year, says a Smile Train report.

Smile Train travels in over 180 countries, “but the Philippines is unique because there are over 7,000 islands,” and the problem is letting people in remote areas know that there is a 100 percent free treatment available for them. The Philippine Airlines, Shugart said, even gives free plane rides to patients who want to undergo surgery.

Miss Universe Organization chief executive officer Paula Shugart explaining how important Smile Train is for them. Philstar.com/Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo

Miss Universe contenders started the morning of January 20 visiting the patients of Our Lady of Peace Hospital in Parañaque City, where they were joined by Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach in giving comfort to those with cleft lip or palate, the most common birth defect affecting one child in every 500 births.

Nick, 28, said that “being born with a cleft feels like you’re different, you’re not normal. There is also bullying and stereotyping.”

“In my case, my abnormality became my inspiration to work hard. It’s really hard for us to talk about our condition. It’s very emotional and personal,” he added.

A woman with cleft lip sharing her experiences to Miss Universe candidates. Philstar.com/Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo

Carmela, 25, said that besides having difficulty speaking, having a cleft lip or palate made it hard for her to find work.

Similarly, Cherrybel Soriano divulged that it is hard to study because she is being bullied in school, and even when she is just walking in the streets. “I just don’t mind them because I know that I’m pretty inside,” the 20-year-old shared with tears.

Miss Haiti Raquel Pelissier told Philstar.com that she felt blessed for hearing the stories.

“We had a lot of activities that are life-changing, but this one is my favorite. This is first time with Smile Train, and as soon as I get back to London, I will work with them more,” avowed Miss Great Britain Jaime-lee Faulkner.

Miss Myanmar Htet Htet Htun, meanwhile, said a lot of people in Myanmar needs surgery, too, and she cannot wait to tell her countrymen. Speaking in their own tongue, and some even without an interpreter, some candidates invited people from their homelands to seek treatment as well.

“I’m glad to take part in an activity like this, otherwise, these children have to face life the way they are,” Miss Brazil Raissa Santana said in Brazilian.

Miss Universe contestants making sashes with men and women with cleft lip and palate Philstar.com/Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo

After the hospital visit, Miss Tanzania Jihan Dimack realized she has “so much to learn and do” as a beauty queen.

“Their (the patients’) stories are quite sad but inspiring, like there’s a woman who only had a surgery when she was 21, but she had the cleft lip since she was two, so it took her 20 years to bear that. So, I learned a lot from these girls. The fact that they didn’t give up is amazing. This is why we love being beauty queens, to be able to meet these people and learn from their experiences,” Dimack shared.

Miss USA Deshauna Barber said their interaction with the patients at the hospital was wonderful. “It’s so important that our kids grow physically, emotionally, mentally confident. I think that’s hard to do if they have a cleft lip or palate. So, it’s great that there is a free service for them, because kids start young and you don’t want them to be self-conscious and with a low self-esteem growing up,” said Miss USA, who met Smile Train in New York, but was able to meet the patients for the first time in the Philippines.

She said that in the US, people have more access to corrective procedures than other countries, so she has not yet encountered somebody with a cleft lip or palate in her country.

“The first thing that makes an impression is our smile, our personality. So, it is a great opportunity to have a great smile,” she stressed.

A smile, added Miss China Li Zhenying, can make other people feel good and empower them to spread goodness, so it is very important for a beauty queen to always be beaming.

To take care of one’s smile, Miss China advised to eat more white things and not dark ones like coffee, which could stain the teeth. Also, she reminded to brush your teeth regularly.

“If you smile from the heart, your confidence will come out naturally and other people will see that and will be inspired to be confident, too,” she said.

If there is something Miss India Roshmitha Harimurthy learned from the encounter with patients, it is “we should not take our smile for granted” because a defect in people’s smiles make them “suffer and go into isolation in the society."

“There is nothing to be afraid of this surgery because professionals are taking care of it,” she assured those who have cleft lip or palate that are scared of undergoing treatment.

Miss Mexico Kristal Silva, meanwhile, said that beauty queens' job is not always about fun or attending social events.

W also take advantage of these opportunities to encourage other people to give support to our causes. We have to set an example to other people that if we can do it, they can do it, too,” said Silva, who worked with Smile Train in her country.

“We have become the figure and the voice for the people so we can get help for them. As beauty queens, we have become a platform for everyone to be heard,” she added.

For Miss Dominican Republic Sal Garcia, “the most important thing in life is to have confidence because with it, we can achieve everything we want, and this program is about giving confidence to these children. With great smiles, you can conquer the world!”

Miss Universe 2016 contenders with Smile Train beneficiaries  Philstar.com/Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo