The pearls of Miss Cebu 2014 [Second of 2 parts]

CEBU, Philippines - Found an initial bet from among the first six Miss Cebu 2014 candidates featured here yesterday? Well, maybe you’ll add some to your favored list as we bring you the other half in the pageant’s roster. Miss Cebu is celebrating its pearl anniversary as a pageant that annually searches for the city’s beauty ambassadress. The affair has become a tradition that’s among the most-awaited during the Queen City’s Sinulog Festival month. The days ahead will see all 12 ladies immersing in the city’s rich history, culture and heritage; getting involved in charity work; and sitting through exciting seminars and workshops — so that come coronation night on January 15, 2014, what spectators will see are aspirants who’ve bloomed to their maximum potential.

We turn the spotlight on candidates 7-12!

This five-foot-five lass comes across as the shy and demure type. But who knows, our first impression could be wrong and being presented to the media could really be nerve-wracking. Mer, as friends fondly call her, is a Nursing graduate from Velez College who’s currently connected to The Happy Hippo Trading Company as a partner. 

Mer said she had the privilege to live abroad like so many Filipinos aspire for, but eventually chose to stay in Cebu. “I decided to come back here since I consider it my home.”

Want to know what makes her knees weak? “I have a weakness for children. Whenever I see a kid, I can’t help but pinch their cheeks.”

She joined the beauty tilt, believing that she has the ability to be the voice for those who want to see change in Cebu. “I would like to focus on getting streetkids out of the streets, and find ways for them to have a home and education, because children are the hope of the future,” she expressed. 

Confidence personified, this senior Political Science student at the University of Phi- lippines-Cebu seems like the girl who won’t back down from any question tossed her way. “The main reason I joined Miss Cebu is because I want to prove that pageants are not offensive to women. I also believe that Miss Cebu is not just an ordinary pageant not only because it promotes conservatism, but because it also serves as a venue for us candidates to spread our advocacies. I myself am personally advocating for one of  the marginalized citizens in the city, which are the fisherfolk who are affected by reclamation projects,” said Diane. 

Diane placed first runner-up in Miss UP and Bb. Ormoc 2012. What aspect of the pageant does she feel not too confident? “I know I’m not that good in ramp walking, so I’m focusing on improving on that aspect. However, since I know Miss Cebu is not just about physical beauty and how well you walk, I’m also consistently reading news articles to be more socially-aware and that will give me an edge in the question and answer portion.”

This aspiring professor is a huge fan of Beyonce, Bollywood films, indie films, cats and revolutionaries. She also describes herself as a frustrated photographer and makeup artist.

Grace Anne Marie Yap, 21

G-Anne, a willowy morena, has a charming face that anyone would be drawn to. She’s a Management Accountancy graduate from the University of  San Carlos who’s now employed as a sales administration staff at  a leasing and finance corporation.

Measuring five-foot-six and a half, G-Anne believes the Miss Cebu pageant promotes social awareness among its candidates through the numerous activities and lectures that they are made to participate in. 

Coming across as the fun gal you’d love to be BFF’s with, Eva (pronounced as Ava), is as charming as they get. The Miss Mandaue 2013 second runner-up would be first to say that “I’m not just a pretty face.”

Hailing from a family of politicians, she herself has dipped into the world of governance and leadership as Lapu-Lapu City Sangguniang Kabataan chair and as a student representative in her college for three consecutive years.

Aside from Miss World 2013 Megan Young, she considers as role model former President Cory Aquino because, “like her, my mom is also serving in the government. She is beautiful, an empowered woman and was an inspiration to all.”

Eva is a graduating Nursing student at Cebu Doctor’s University. While she would have loved to be a doctor someday, the stunner said fulfilling that dream is quite expensive, so plan B is to become a lawyer instead.

Natasha, who idolizes Canadian fashion model Coco Rocha, is a Cebu Runway Model search winner and Miss Mandaue 2013 finalist. She is now in her third year at the University of San Carlos, taking up Accounting Technology.

This beauty queen aspirant loves watching basketball games. She also relishes the presence of children, simply because she grew up without siblings. “But contrary to what people perceive about an only-child, I didn’t grow up spoiled. My mother gives me everything I need and want, but she raised me as a single mother which is the reason why I look up to her the most. She got married a year after I met my biological father. And that was the happiest moment of my life – meeting my father,” said Natasha.

Will Pearl live up to her name and emerge the victor in Miss Cebu’s Pearl Batch? The tallest among the ladies at five-foot-nine, Pearl is a Hospitality graduate from Cebu Technological University who left a hotel job to work as executive secretary of Rotary Club of Cebu South in order “to contribute my passion in humanitarian services.”

She had previously joined Miss Mandaue 2009 and Mutya ng Pilipinas 2009. Pearl is proud to share her humble beginnings, as what she had made of herself despite challenges is a good source of  inspiration for others. “I can really say that my personality now is molded by my experiences.  Even though I’m still 23, I’ve gone through a lot in life, which I know will also inspire many people,” the family breadwinner quipped.

What would she ask Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, if  given the chance to push for a cause close to her heart? “Since I am a resident of one of the urban poor areas here in Cebu City which is involved in the 93-1 issue, I would ask Mayor Mike Rama what his plans are or whether he has plans about the resettlement and find a solution for the problems of the urban poor,” was her reply. (FREEMAN)