Unleashing the talents  

During the annual Miss Consolacion beauty pageant, I had the chance to serve as chairwoman of the panel of judges for the Search for Miss Talent. The occasion served as a showcase for the ladies of Consolacion, Cebu, and their diverse talents. But just like in other competitions, some contestants really stood out because they riveted both the judges' and the audience's attention.

The customary singing, dancing, sketching, and monologue were among the talents. However, it is the ladies' execution that makes one stand out. In the case of dancing, it is possible to tell within the first few minutes if someone is truly into it or whether they are simply trying to impress others by flashing their talent. Genuine talent is the result of years of practice and dedication to the craft.

A candidate would polish her talent weeks before the talent night in beauty contests where women would frequently be expected to demonstrate certain talents. However, if one has been doing it for a while, it may be a rewarding trait to have in a candidate.

For a singer, for instance, the most beautiful art form is music, yet for a painter, the most beautiful art is perhaps the beauty of colors. Every person has been endowed with unique skills, talents, and capacities. We are diverse from one another since we have various interests and tendencies. One person might excel at music but struggle with painting, while another person might excel at dance but struggle with writing.

Talents are what make someone an artist, and every talent can contribute to the creation of art when applied effectively. Any artist's medium is the best and most meaningful to them. While a painter may consider the beauty of colors to be art, a singer may deem music to be the most beautiful art form. This suggests that the most beautiful type of art in a person's eyes is the one they themselves create. However, this in no way implies that other forms of art are less important. Each art form stands out from the rest due to its unique depth, narrative, significance, and beauty.

It is common knowledge that a talented individual can evaluate another talented person more accurately than someone with little or no experience in the arts. This idea is true. Real talent is better at spotting other skills. A person who has developed the capacity for creativity and innovation may extract every bit of significance from each kind of art. A person without a creative mindset, for instance, would probably not be able to recognize the beauty in a dance form, although a singer or writer most likely would.

Finding their strengths is something that many individuals struggle with. Children frequently practice every activity and gradually pick up new interests. For children to continue following their hearts, it is helpful for them to identify their interests at an early age.

We each have a unique quality inside of us that sets us apart from others. Even while it takes time to develop that latent potential, once it is released, it will undoubtedly shine the brightest. Nobody is preventing us from going for our goals.

In a more personal level, I would like to express my gratitude to Mr. Alvin Duazo for providing the opportunity for me to meet the honorable Teresa "Nene" Pepito Alegado, the municipal mayor of Consolacion, who has an admirable way of providing candidates holistic opportunities to develop their skills and talents so they can be true ambassadresses for the municipality.