Desiree Verdadero-Abesamis: Been there, done that

MANILA, Philippines - “If a woman looks good, she automatically exudes confidence and appeal in the eyes of others,” says Miss Universe 1984 third runner-up Desiree Verdadero-Abesamis a few days before this beauty pageant-crazy nation awaited the coronation night of the Miss Universe 2010. Desiree is definitely speaking from experience. She’s been there, done that.

“Our country has always had a penchant for holding pageants. In our peak years, there were gay pageants held in every town and there would always be a candidate introducing himself as ‘Desiree Verdadero’,” narrates Desiree. “They would copy my look, the way I walk and speak. It was amusing how they admired me and called me their idol.”

 Even though she’s a believer that beauty is more than skin-deep, the gorgeous beauty queen says that a woman should make an effort to look good. She believes that makeup enhances the beauty of a woman’s face. “But she should always remember not to overdo it,” she warns.

Aside from keeping makeup essentials in her kit (including Ever Bilena’s bronzer, cream stick foundation, matte lipstick, bronze shimmer, color pencil, waterproof mascara and water spray), Desiree maintains her tip-top shape through exercise and healthy diet. But what keeps her glowing 26 years after she was crowned as one of the most beautiful women in the world is the love she’s getting from her husband, Dr. JB Abesamis.

Her eyes light up at the mention of her equally good-looking better half. “A turning point in my life was when I married Dr. JB Abesamis. He was also a former model and we have been together for 20 strong years,” she gladly shares. Completing her happiness are her two children, Aya, 18, and Bien, seven.

Although her daily routine now doesn’t include photo shoots and trainings, the family woman doesn’t mind at all. “I wake up at 5 a.m. on weekdays to help my kids prepare for school. Once they’re off, I do my errands for the house and go to the gym until lunch time,” she shares. After picking up her youngest from school, she prepares dinner for them and makes it a point to still look great and ready to spend quality time with her hubby when he gets home.

“I am a very hands-on mom,” shares Desiree, who looks up to her own mother. “I had always admired watching my mom put on her makeup, nice clothes and matching shoes. She had a natural flair for fashion, which I think had led me to aspire to becoming a fashion model.” Mothering has really changed her that she had foregone any plans of pursuing a further career for herself to be a nurturing and ever-present mom to her children. “It’s been the best decision I have made in my life. It is both very fulfilling and educational for me as a parent,” she declares.

Desiree says life taught her that no amount of money or material possession can make a person happy. “We must never take for granted the people who love us for what we are because one day, we will realize that they are all we need to be happy.”

And that’s a true beauty queen speaking.

Photography by JOHN DARILAG • Hair and makeup by ANA ABAINZA for Ever Bilena • Cosmetics by EVER BILENA • Styling by ARIEL AGASANG