Miss Cebu 2013 cites Mahatma Gandhi as role model

CEBU, Philippines - The newest Miss Cebuwinner used to be thetarget of school bullies, taunted for being overweight and dark-skinned. Classmates did not want her included in camera shots, because they said she would ruin the photo.

On her 20th birthday yesterday, Namrata Neesha Lucero Murjani’s photo was splashed over Cebu’s front pages and on various websites — not only was she the focal point, she also looked stunning while at it.

“I think getting this crown symbolizes how I never give up achieving something that I know I can. This very moment, I have proven to people that I am more than what they thought I was before and I am so proud to have this crown,” remarked Murjani in an interview after she was declared the 29th Miss Cebu.

“This is the best birthday gift! I really thank God, and I promise to do my duties and responsibilities that the title entails,” she said.

The Miss Cebu 2013 title-holder is a Biology student who describes herself as a fighter and aspires to be more like Indian icon Mahatma Gandhi. She also dreams of  clinching a national beauty pageant crown and becoming a doctor to the barrios.

“Gandhi once said, ‘Be the change that you want to be.’ I want to be one of those people who will effect change. I have visited Gandhi’s house in India, and his life and works taught me a lot,” she said. Murjani shares Gandhi’s Indian lineage, courtesy of her father who hails from Bombay, India. Her mother is a native of Tuburan town, which makes her half-Cebuana.

Born and raised here in the Queen City of the South, her parents started from scratch before establishing themselves as self-made businessmen. Her dad Dave owns a department store in Calbayog, Samar while her mom Juvy manages franchise outlets of a coffee chain, a fastfood and a spa.

Enjoying a blessed family life is the reason why Murjani wishes to help children who are less fortunate, thus, her answer for the final question.

“If you were to be the third lady president of the Philippines, what will be your agenda in the next 100 days?” was the make-or-break question for the top five.

Murjani thought for a few seconds, before mouthing out this answer: “My first agenda would be for the street children. My family and I are practicing and are active in a lot of community activities. This is the first thing I would do because as you all know and as we all can see, this is the one thing that we see every single day. Having feeding programs cannot help them completely, but at least, somehow, I will make a difference in their lives.”

Before the final five were announced, the 12 candidates went through a casual question and answer portion where they picked a question from fellow candidates.  Murjani’s question, formulated by Jehanne Frances Dy, was, “What sector in the field of tourism would you like to improve and why?”

Murjani answered that she will choose to focus on ‘green tourism,’ as she also nurses a passion for environmental preservation, because “everything around us is created by God, thus should take care of it.”

For gliding gracefully in her powder blue Cary Santiago gown, Murjani was also awarded Best in Evening Gown, making her automatically the recipient of the Miss Megaworld award. Santiago himself was picked Best Evening Gown Designer, an award he also won last year for a gown worn by 2012 winner Pierre Anther Infante.

The feat earned Murjani P60,000, trips to Hong Kong, Europe, Las Vegas and the Holy Land, and a slew of other sponsor prizes.

Murjani’s 1st runner-up is 20-year-old Therese Christine Llamada, who in the final Q & A said her agenda will be the preservation of nature. She follows the footsteps of elder sister Teffanie Lene, who also placed first runner-up in Miss Cebu 2011. This registered nurse and English instructor took home P40,000, and trips to Hong Kong and the Holy Land.

The 2nd runner-up was 19-year-old Maria Gigante, a BS Philosophy student from the University of San Carlos (USC). She was also named Miss PLDT in a pre-pageant event. Awarded third runner-up was Patricia Ann T. Estuart, 21, a BS Interior Design student from USC. She also won Best in Fun Wear.

Model and registered nurse Ely Rose Apple Angcon, 21, ended up in the fourth runner-up spot and was also named Kapamilya Star of the Night.

The second, third and fourth runners-up all received P30,000 and trips to Hongkong.

Miss Photogenic by NGenius went to Marivee Ann Velasquez, a BS Psychology student from Cebu Normal University; while Miss Friendship by Waterfront was 22-year-old BS Architecture student Jehanne Frances Dy, who was also named Miss Gems and Designs during the pre-pageant.

The judge’s panel was made up of PLDT Community Relations Head Evelyn del Rosario, couturier and current president of the Fashion Council of the Philippines JC Buendia, Cathay Pacific manager Rey Fung, interior designer Cynthia Almario and Megaworld Properties president Noli Hernandez.

Wednesday night’s coronation at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino carried the theme “Cebu: Gateway to a Thousand Journeys.”

Slides of Cebu’s renowned furniture products were flashed on screen as the girls walked the stage, while the works of noted Cebuano visual artists — Andrew Barba, Martino Abellana, Julian Jumalon and Wenceslao Cuevas – were used as inspiration by top designers Yvonne Quisumbing, William Manahan, Protacio and Edwin Ao for the candidates’ fun wear attire.

For the evening gown creations, designers Marichu Tan, Ren Manabat, Oj Hofer, Harley Ruedas, Jun Escario, Wendell Quisido, Ditas Rodriguez, Cary Santiago, Arcy Gayatin, Albert Arriba, Philip Tampus and Dino Lloren crafted elegant pieces in various shades of blue as homage to Cebu’s world-famous beaches.

Miss World Philippines 2012 2nd Princess Vanessa Claudine Ammann and Miss Tourism International 2012 Rizzini Alexis Gomez were also given plaques of recognition by Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama for placing prominently in national and international pageants last year. Ammann was Miss Cebu 2011 2nd runner-up, while Gomez was Miss Cebu 2009 first runner-up.

Stepping in as hosts were Mr. World 2012 first runner-up Andrew Wolff (whose Cebu connection, he said, was his dad who has been residing in Mactan for the past 10 years), Miss Earth 2008 Karla Henry and Miss Cebu 2010 Reena Elena Malinao.

“Little Big Star” 2006 grand champion Victoria Ingram and two male Russian acrobats from Resorts World Manila (RWM) provided entertainment between segments. A “King and I” excerpt was also performed by Manila theater actors Bo Cerrudo and Shiela Valderrama; while  a male singing duo called Primo, also from RWM, serenaded the ladies during the evening gown competition. (FREEMAN)