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Christa’s MPUK Experience | Part 2
The Night
This was it. All the hard work counts down to one night. The pressure was kicking in. I remember not getting enough sleep with all the anxiety I was feeling the night before. My mum and my sister kept insisting that all I needed to do was to ‘enjoy’ the moment but it was impossible! I knew I had all these expectations to live up to and I didn’t want to disappoint. I kept reminding myself: ‘Eyes on the prize, you always wanted to be a great role model? This is your chance’. Luckily my very close friend, Tosca Cabatana, was there to support me backstage. She gave me pep talks, helped me out with my hair and coordinated my outfits. She even brought a box of Lola’s cupcakes, which cheered me up instantly.
I was a complete nervous wreck at the dressing room. I was anxious that I might trip, say the wrong words or embarrass myself. But surprisingly, as soon as I got on stage, another persona takes over – a cool, calm and collected Christa. Of course my confidence also came from the loud cheering of my friends and family. Pictures of myself and banners were being waved around. Loud screams of: ‘We love you Christa!’ or ‘Namber Pibe!’ whilst I strut along the stage made me feel so reassured and blessed. Knowing that I had that much support, it was impossible not to smile naturally.
More Than a Beauty Pageant
The experience has taught me more than just holding a smile on stage, walking on heels, fixing my hair & make-up. Through the pageant, I also had the pleasure of meeting a lot of talented individuals. From the singers & dancers; the event organisers; alumni beauty queens and of course the gorgeous/handsome candidates. Furthermore, having spent countless hours of learning the dance routine; I re-discovered my passion for dancing again.
This journey has also been an eye-opening experience. For me, it is a once in a lifetime opportunity to make a positive difference. It helped me discover so many things about myself that I didn’t even knew existed. I learned to be more disciplined and ambitious towards my goals. I realised my self-value and purpose. I learned the importance of taking risks and being able to demonstrate confidence despite of what others may say. I learned that reaching your dreams are always possible especially when you’ve got great support from your family and friends.
Christa’s MPUK Experience | Part 1
Introduction
Hello everyone! My name is Christa Borja, and I have been given the privilege to be crowned as Miss Philippines UK 2015. For the last couple of months, it has been one of the most unforgettable and truly humbling experience that I will forever cherish. Who knew what I initially thought was a ‘silly’ idea turned out to be one of the greatest journey of my life.
Unexpected Entry
It was my older sister, Chriszelle who pushed me to join the competition. In fact, I actually missed the audition and few scheduled rehearsals that made me believe I’ve dodged the pressure bullet. But thanks to sister’s persistence, she was able to get in touch with Yulee Foster, last year’s Miss Philippines UK Winner, and persuade the event organisers to take me in last minute – then boom. Out of nowhere, I received a random text message from sissy confirming: ‘Yahoo! Pasok ka na! Rehearsals starts this Saturday’.
First Day
My first day is a summary of sweaty palms and pits (yes I said it), Not only I made bad impression to Yulee for being 1 hour and 30 minutes late (which btw, I had a valid reason for), but I also sucked at following all choreos for Latin, Hip-Hop and Ethnic. It was interesting to say the least. I’ve always loved dancing since I was a kid, however, the problem lies to the fact that I haven’t danced in a very long time. I haven’t moved a single (dancing) muscle since my cheering days at university. And 2 years worth of unmoved body, I felt stiff, rusty and awkward throughout the practice.
After my torturous first day, I went straight home and asked myself whether I was wasting my time. Contemplations re-occurred and I started to have second thoughts. My schedule was already swamped with 9-5 working hours on weekdays and if I was to join the competition it would mean that my weekends would be filled with rehearsals too, therefore, leaving me no time to rest. I felt stuck so I began to seek advice from other people. While many of my friends/family supported the harmless idea of joining, one opinion struck me the most: ‘Pano kung di ka naman manalo? Edi nasayang lang yung oras mo?’ The doubtful remark fuelled more fire in me. From that moment, I decided to use the negative judgment to pursue the crown and show everyone that I was worthy to be called Miss Philippines UK.
The Journey
One word: Exhausting! I believe most of the candidates (even the previous ones) can agree with me on this. Rehearsals can be draining whether it might be the length of travel that some candidates have to go through; balancing either part-time/full-time work with weekend practices or the endless hours of catwalks and dance routines. Indeed it was exhausting however, the experience was also fun. Never in my life I imagined that pageants could be this tough! And it didn’t take too long until I started to rely on energy drinks and skinny latte’s as if I was back at uni on my last year preparing for exams.
Knowing that I had quite a lot to catch up on, I started my weekend routine strictly at 6:00 am. No excuses. Tired or not, I knew I had to push myself. I practiced the choreos early before the actual rehearsal at 12:30 pm. I even practised the Hip Hop on my head whilst on the way to work and on the way back home.
For a first timer like me, I had no clue on what to wear, how to prepare for Q&As or how to walk on pageant shows. I realised that if I wanted to win this competition, it requires more than just memorising the dance steps. It also involves embodying a mind-set of what a true beauty queen should be. So I researched some of the most iconic Filipino Beauty Queens from the past. From Melanie Marquez, Gloria Diaz, Shamcey Supsup to Megan Young. Believe it or not, I sat in front of my computer for hours! I studied different commentaries about how each stood out from the competition, how they presented themselves and how they delivered their answers effectively. I also took inspiration from MPUK’s beautiful winners: Jacqueline Llaneza (2012), Kallula Dixon (2013) and of course, Yulee Foster (2014). I took notes of what they wore, how they walked, smile and pose. It was all about preparations! As soon as I finished work, I’d go straight home and practice my walk on heels, smiling and posing in front of the mirror while my cat watched me with embarrassment.
The most fun part of this journey (apart from winning the title) was shopping for my outfits and deciding my hair & make-up, after all, it is called a ‘beauty’ pageant for a reason. Luckily, I had great tips from my best friend, Crescent Samaco, who btw has the fiercest catwalk ever. She gave me advice that if you want to stand out, you’ve got to sparkle like a diamond on stage. Not only she taught me how to walk with attitude but she also gave me insights of the ‘pageant must-haves’. For instance, nails must only be red or french tips; dresses has to be sparkly –gold, silver or nude; and accessories have to be bold – the bigger it is, the better. It was like entering a new world and oddly enough, I enjoyed learning these things.
Miss & Mr Philippines UK 2015
Prior to the big night, I was able to meet all of the candidates during rehearsals. I helped out with their pageant walks and tried to calm their nerves down. Since I knew how they must be feeling during this time, I really wanted them to relax and have a great night, just like I had!
The Miss and Mr Philippines UK 2015 competition was held at the same location as last year, Camden Centre on Saturday the 12th of September. I was lucky enough to have a spot on the VIP table with my mum and dad, which meant amazing Filipino food and a front row seat. Before the competition started, I went backstage to check up on the candidates and give them my last pieces of advice. Everyone seemed quite relaxed (unlike last year!) so I had a lot of faith in them for an amazing show.
The first time you are on stage is always the most difficult. You are trying to remember all of your steps to the dance and trying to look out for your supporters at the same time, but all of the contestants kept their focus and started the night off with a bang. They also had a casual, swim and formal wear and everyone’s style and confidence was shining throughout.
Since I was the Miss Philippines UK 2014, I was able to do my last walk with the title and also give a little speech towards the end of the night (Charlene, I am sorry I missed your shoutout!) I hope that my words were felt amongst the audience and that some of them are here reading my blog.
At the end of the night, John Paulo Bendana was crowned Mr Philippines UK 2015 and I had the honour of crowning Christa Borja as Miss Philippines UK 2015. I am sure that all of the contestants had a great time on the night and it is an event that will stay with them forever. Of course, none of this would have been possible without the amazing team behind Miss and Mr Philippines UK every year. It continues to get better and better every time, I cannot wait until next year!
OOTN
Get Excited!
It is only two weeks until Miss and Mr Philippines UK 2015! I still can not believe how fast this year has gone by and I will soon have to be giving my crown away. The event is being held at the Camden Centre, which is right next to Kings Cross Station on the 12th of September at 6PM. I still have so much to get ready for the night including, most importantly, my speech. If you are interested in attending you can find more details here:
Miss and Mr Philippines UK Website
Tickets
Hope to see some of you there for this great night!
LIKHA Magazine
Marielle Bacarro contacted me in April asking if I wanted to be part of her final major project. She was making a magazine called Likha, celebrating the Philippines, from everything from its fashion to its heritage. I was so honoured to have been asked to be a part of her project but also nervous to take nice pictures. We had decided to meet up in Greenwich to take pictures and for a small interview. Greenwich has some amazing buildings and surroundings so I thought it would be the perfect backdrop for her photos. After going around and taking some shots we had a little interview over lunch at the Pavilion Tea House at the top of the park.
A month or so after our meeting, Marielle invited me to see her work and others from the same school being showcased at the OXO Tower, London. The magazine turned out amazing and it looked so professional, I could imagine it on the shelves! I was also really pleased with the photos that she took of me (luckily, I do not look as cold as I did on the day!) Unfortunately, her magazine was a one off for her project but maybe, you never know, we might see it being sold, which would not only be incredible for her but a fantastic way to promote the Philippines!
Philippines 2015
13th June 2015 – 13th July 2015
One month in the Philippines, going around the different islands and having so much fun. My sister, Charlene, helped film and edit this video, so thank you and a massive thank you to Miss and Mr Philippines UK, without them this amazing trip would not have been possible.
“I’m really proud to be Filipino. Filipinos are really supportive, and I want to thank all of them. I love them!”
Charice Pempengco
See more of what we did in the Philippines:
13th June – 15th June : Dusit Hotel
16th June : Visit To PCF In Tondo
17th June : Manila Hotel
18th June : El Nido – Manioc Island Resort
19th June : El Nido – Island Hopping
20th June : El Nido – Lagen Island
22nd June – 24th June : Baguio
26th June – 28th June : Boracay
28th June – 30th June : Cebu
1st July : Happy Birthday Charlene!
1st July – 6th July : Home Sweet Home
7th July – 9th July : Bohol
10th July – 13th July : Manila
Cebu
After our stay in Boracay our next stop was Cebu. I had never been to Cebu but it is such a talked about city and so close to our hometown that I was looking forward to seeing it. Due to overrunning of flights, we did not arrive in Cebu until night time, which was a shame because it meant less time there. Even though it was night time when we got to Bluewater Resort, it was still amazing and we could not wait to explore in the morning.
I was really excited with the buffet breakfast the next day. They had a good range of food and it all tasted delicious. Since the resort offered a shuttle bus to the SM Mall, we decided to go there to get some lunch. The last time we came to the Philippines in 2011, my sister fell in love with a dish that was something similar to orange chicken that they had at Chowking, but sadly they have discontinued this dish so we went safe with rice and spring rolls. Back at the resort, we had some time to relax and take pictures (we can not go anywhere without taking pictures.) They also had a number of pools so my sister and I spent the rest of they day sitting in the pool (and taking more pictures, obviously!)
The next morning, we checked out and headed to take a boat back home to Leyte. On the boat, we made some great friends that toured us around and made the four hours fly by. Shoutout to Wilson, Jon Neo, Francis and Emerzon and the chief and second engineer. Our stay in Cebu was really too short to visit and look around this amazing and historical city, hopefully we can come back in the future to see more!
Boracay
D A Y O N E
When we got to Caticlan Airpot, I was unaware that you had to then take a boat to transfer to Boracay but luckily, from El Nido I was used to boats. For the three nights we were there we stayed at La Carmela. Even though it was cloudy when we arrived, it was still really hot so my sister and I spent the whole day lounging in the pool cooling off. On our walk to go have dinner, the sun was setting right on the beach. The beach at Boracay (the one you only see in pictures) is soft and creamy, with the water crystal clear, it really feels like you have stepped into a postcard.
D A Y T W O
Our second day in Boracay was scorching, probably the hottest weather that we had experienced since being in the Philippines, and the clear blue skies was perfect picture weather. We decided to walk to Station One since we bought postcards the day before and were told that the picture on the postcard was there. Once we got to Willy’s Rock, it was such a surreal place to see, with the calm waves and the sun in the sky, it felt like a dream. We grabbed some lunch in Starbucks, and even made some friends! (Filipinos are some of the friendliest people ever.)
After we went back to the hotel for a little afternoon nap, we went back out to see Mount Luho, which is the highest point in Boracay. From the top, you can see all of the water activities that are on offer as well as a 360 degree view of the island. Since we did not take any pictures this morning at Station One, we wanted to go back to take pictures in the sea. I think we could have stayed there all day but we had kindly been offered a hosted dinner at La Carmela and had to get back. During dinner, they had a fire dancing show outside. I am still flinching just thinking about it but it was amazing to watch.
D A Y T H R E E
Our last day in Boracay was pretty relaxed. We wanted to try another place to eat in Boracay so decided to eat out for breakfast and then after take a stroll by the beach. A lot of people say that Boracay is too overcrowded and is not worth the trip anymore. I agree that there are a lot of tourists here but you can understand why, it is breathtaking and anywhere this gorgeous and accessible will get busy. Even so, I would recommend anyone who comes to the Philippines to visit Boracay (especially during rainy season where it does not rain that much, since it is less busy.) The palm trees are lush, the water is sparkly and the sand is soft.
Baguio
We had another early start for our journey to Baguio. Our coach was at 6:20AM and we had a 5 hour journey to get there. On the way up we had to pass various mountains, which, in a coach trying to drive up winding roads, was quite scary to look out of the window. After the long ride and 5,000 ft above sea level, we made it! The Le Monet hotel is where we stayed and it is a modern style hotel with lots of glass and mirrors as you walk in but the rooms are cosy and the view is full of tall trees. We spent our first day adjusting to this city in the sky, looking around the town and getting a jumper since we heavily underestimated how cold it was going to be here! For dinner we ate at The Manor, which was a nearby hotel. I had the carbonara but they also had filipino dishes like sinigang. It had been raining throughout the day and so in the night time there was this really heavy fog which made the roads eerie with their minimal lighting, we were too scared to even walk down the street!
For our next day we decided to explore Baguio. First, we took a taxi to see Burnham Park. It was really pretty there and there is a boat lake that you can paddle around in, but my sister and I had seen enough boats after our El Nido trip so we moved on to our next stop. Our taxi driver suggested that we go and see Lourdes Grotto. We bought a flower and some candles to light near the statue. It was up a lot of stairs to get to the top but the statue of the Virgin Mary and the view of the colourful houses was worth the climb.
Then we headed to BenCab museum (after seeing good reviews of it on tripadvisor and various blog posts.) It has artwork from Artist Ben Cabrera’s and other contemporary artists in Manila. The artwork is really different to what I am used to seeing so it was interesting to see. They also have a really cute cafe that has amazing views of the mountains. Another breathtaking view that we got to see was at Mines View Park. They have tourist shops there and lots of really nice flowers stalls. Our stay in Baguio may have been short and we only had time to see a small portion of it but I absolutely fell in love with this city and can not wait to go back and carry on exploring.
Note: My sister, who has asthma, was affected by the relatively high altitude of Baguio. This does not affect a lot of people but it is something to bear in mind if you are thinking of travelling there.
El Nido – Lagen Island
At the resort you have the option to visit the other island resorts. So, for our last morning we decided to go and have breakfast at Lagen Island, which was about a 25 minute boat ride away from Miniloc. The first difference with Lagen is the noises you hear. There are lots of bats around due to the surrounding caves so all around you can hear bats and other birds that live in the caves. There is also a gorgeous swimming pool where you can look out over the sea. The restaurant area is on a second story and so there is a fantastic view of the whole island.
It was so sunny on our last morning which was perfect for taking pictures and Lagen Island is such a beautiful backdrop. Sadly, we were not able to spend anymore time to try out the different activities on the island since we had to pack and get ready to go. Since the weather was so nice when we got back to Miniloc we again, decided to have another mini photoshoot (we love photos!) For the rest of the afternoon, before our flight, we relaxed by the bar and spoke to the other visitors at the resort.
The three days that we spent at El Nido were amazing. All of the staff are so kind, helpful and friendly – they started to all feel like family and I have never received such outstanding service anywhere else. I am so grateful to have won this opportunity to visit and explore this amazing place thanks to Miss and Mr Philippines UK and I can not wait to go back sometime in the future!
El Nido – Island Hopping
The night before we had planned to watch the sunrise the next morning. So, we left in a kayak at 5AM and paddled just around the island where we would be able to watch it. Sadly, it was a cloudy morning and so we could not really see much but it was still nice to see the islands close up. Once we got back to our hotel room, I had a little nap (obviously 5 o’clock is too early for me) and then after getting ready, we headed out for breakfast.
At lunchtime we took a boat to Dibuluan Island. The island is part of the resort so there was a restaurant and seats on the beach to lounge on. I loved the sand here because it was so soft and nice to walk on. The restaurant is of a buffet style and the sand from the beach carries on into the floor of the restaurant. This is something that I have never seen before and it was quite an experience to eat lunch with sand between my toes. After we took a lot of pictures, my sister and my mum wanted to go windsurfing on the island and since it was a windy day, it was a perfect opportunity for them to go!
Our first stop on the island hopping tour was Cudugnon Cave. To get inside we had to climb through a small crack in the rock to get to the larger opening. At first, everyone (including me) had doubts about going into the cave but once the first person went through, we all wanted to climb through! Inside, you could see cracks through the top of the cave that let light in and the different rock colours that made up the walls. We walked a bit further into the cave to another opening and from here we could see the sea. You could hear the echo (echo, echo) from our voices and it was hard to image after years and years of corrosion, that we would be standing inside this magical place.
The next place we went to was probably one of my favourite spots that we traveled to in El Nido. A place called Snake Island, named from the shape it makes, is a stretch of sand that connects two islands made from currents moving in opposite directions. So, when you walk along the beach it looks like you are walking in the middle of the ocean! After our adventures, we went back to the resort to have dinner. Again, we had a lovely note on a leaf to say goodnight and we went to sleep.
MPUK Photoshoot
When it was time to take the photos for the tickets and programme for the next Miss Philippines UK, I was super excited! We were lucky enough to have been given the White Room at Grosvenor Casino Barracuda to use and it was a gorgeous location to shoot at. On the day, Chloe did my hair and makeup, and I loved the way it looked – especially my hair, it was perfect! Matthew, Mr Philippines UK 2014, also came to have his photo done and we also took some pictures together. Our photographers were Ashley and Sjay. They did an amazing job and the photos all turned out stunning.
My biggest concern beforehand was what I was going to wear. Since I had rented the dress for the pageant night and I do not own any nice fancy gowns, I was struggling. Fortunately, my sister had done Miss Philippines UK the year before and still had her dress. I absolutely love the shade of blue and the subtle sparkles on the neckline but when I tried it on it did not fit too well and the pink from my sash was a total clash. Luckily, I had Chloe to calm me down about the colour clash and with a few clips the dress was ready to go. I had also bought some amazing sparkly new shoes to go with my dress from New Look but sadly they did not make it into the final cut.
I had so much fun and I finally got to wear my crown again. Here are just 12 of my favourite photos taken from the photoshoot, my favourite ones are the three at the top, I hope you like them!
El Nido – Miniloc Island Resort
Our flight to El Nido was at 7AM and we flew via the Island Transvoyager Inc. The boarding for this flight was not what I had expected. Firstly, the boarding area is different to a normal domestic flight, we all had tables reserved for us and there was a small buffet to have food from (I had tons of fruit and juice); secondly, the boarding passes are wooden which were so cute and thirdly, the plane was much smaller than usual. At first, the size of the plane scared my sister and I because of bad, past, small plane experiences but in the end it was a really good flight!
When we landed, we were greeted by singers and another mini buffet of snacks and drinks. Coming from Manila to El Nido feels like two different worlds. Even though we were at an airport, it felt more like a home and there was greenery as far as the eye could see. A boat then took us to the Miniloc Island resort. On the way, we saw the main town in El Nido and an island called Helicopter Island (named from its resemblance to a helicopter) and lots of other breathtaking views – it really feels like a magical word. When we got to the island, I learnt that this resort was modelled off of traditional looking houses in the area with the (some material) roofs (that I become slightly obsessed with) and how this resort in particular, does not house a pool.
When we got off the boat, we had a fresh, cold coconut drink waiting for us and was welcomed by some of the staff who sang a traditional Palawan welcome song. Initially, I thought we would have to go through the usual check in procedure but everything was already taken care of the minute we got to the airport at Manila and this made me feel instantly relaxed. Then, we were introduced to one of the activities coordinator who gave us some options of things we could do while we were here. Since we only had 3 days, we were excited and itching to get started but our stomaches said otherwise accordingly, we had our first lunch at the resort.
For all of our meals we ate in the buffet. Each day they had something different for breakfast, lunch and dinner and every day it was amazing. I fell in love with their mango juice, which reminded me of how my mum makes her own back home in Leyte (which I can not wait to have!) At the resort, the food was always (ALWAYS) delicious. The freshness of all the food and the range of choice was spectacular, as a food lover, I was very happy.
Sadly, it started to rain so our initial plan of island hopping was canceled but luckily, we had the other option of visiting the small and big lagoons. The lagoons are a part of the island where there is no current from the waves. We learnt that originally these parts of the island had roofs over them but due to corrosion over the years, it has left them open. (I took GCSE Geography so the geography side of me loved learning about all these things.) Our guide also pointed out a rock that people associate with a silhouette with Mary the mother of Jesus, the rock looks like a women with hands in prayer, and so this lagoon is blessed by her.
Close by to the big lagoon is the small lagoon which we got to kayak around in. Luckily for my sister, I have kayaked a few times already (including in the River Thames) so I know how to paddle, but unlucky for her, she was sitting at the front of the kayak and I may have accidentally driven her straight into a rock (oops!) Andy, our guide for the lagoons, was so insightful and especially great at taking pictures, especially panoramic ones. My sister thinks that all of the staff are trained photographers here because all of their shots are amazing. In the small lagoon, we were able to see fishes swimming around in the water and the surrounding rocks and plants really close up. The experience was so much fun and I can’t wait to do it again one day!
After our kayak, my sister wanted to try snorkelling. Even though she had never done anything like this before, there were so many friendly faces to help her out and she had a wonderful time. ‘The atmosphere everyone created made my experience particularly enjoyable, not only did I meet amazing people but also, I got to see beautiful fishes!’ At the end of the day, we had dinner and there was a dance show put on as well (with many traditional filipino dances!) When we arrived back in our hotel room, there was a leaf which read ‘Sweet Dreams’ and a small story to read, it was such a perfect touch to complete the end of a perfect day!
Dusit Hotel
Woo, finally in the Philippines! After a 14 hour flight, where I actually ate plane food (I really don’t like plane food, so well done Cathay Pacific) we arrived in the Philippines. When we got to the airport, there was a lady from the department of tourism to meet us and she gave me a really a cute beaded necklace. We were also lucky enough to be met by my mum and my tita Zaida, thanks to tito Theody. Then we headed outside to face the heat! I have a real-love hate relationship with the humidity here, I love the sun and the warm but in contrast with the air conditioning, it really hits you when you walk outside which can get annoying (however, it’s allllll part of the experience! Me and my sister always remember how much the heat literally hits us and it becomes a memorable moment for whenever we visit the Philippines!)
Day 1:
We started our first full day in Manila with a buffet breakfast in the Dusit Hotel club lounge (which was all included in my amazing prize.) The lounge was on the top floor and it has an amazing view of Manila. For breakfast, I had tocino, garlic fried rice, scrambled egg, bacon and tons of fresh fruit. It was really a perfect way to start the day.
The Dusit is located perfectly right next to the SM Makati and it’s only a short walk to Greenbelt. So, for lunch we explored the area and grabbed lunch at Jolibee. For a while now, I’ve been thinking about wearing a Filipiniana for the next Miss Philippines UK and there are some shops inside Greenbelt 5 that we browsed around in, but sadly, the perfect match for me is still somewhere out there for me to find.
The day before, we were told there was a pool so, we decided to check it out. It was relaxing being inside the pool and so refreshingly cool to escape the heat for a bit. Since the SM Makati is so close to the Dusit, we all had dinner at Max’s restaurant (since we just can’t get enough of our fried chicken!)
Micah’s MPUK Experience
Hello there everyone!
I’m Micah Lee, Miss Philippines UK Charity Winner 2013. Let me just start of by saying that if you’re thinking of joining, DO IT! Despite your doubts, whatever it may be, the nerves, time or distance, it doesn’t matter. It’s an amazing opportunity, and you’ll come out of it 10x more confident and stronger.
I’ve been there, before the audition nobody knew I was doing it except my family, not even my friends. In fact, I still couldn’t believe I was doing it and I came up with so many reasons why not to do it “I’m not tall enough”, “I’m too young”, “I don’t know what I’m doing” etc. Nevertheless, I managed to gather up the courage after encouragement from my mum. That’s one thing I would advise, if you feel like you’re not brave enough or still have your doubts, bring someone along to support you. It’ll make you feel so much better.
Little did I know that the next two months would be some of the toughest, most exciting, best times of my life.
One crucial thing I learned was confidence; how to walk like a beauty queen, how to stand out and how to talk confidently. My weaknesses became my strengths and I was able to do things I never thought I could do. I learned that it wasn’t about the materialistic things – clothes, shoes, accessories – that mattered so much. Rather it was more about how comfortable you were with yourself and how you flaunt what you have. Because if you’re bold, maybe nervous yet still manage to beam with confidence it’ll be obvious to the judges and the audience.
Most importantly, I met some of the most wonderful people. The organisers and us candidates become one big family. My summer was surrounded by such positive, supportive people which was so refreshing. We all worked through the obstacles together, like a family. Outside rehearsals, we would all hang out and it was exciting getting to know so many people within the Filipino community across the UK. Regardless of the journey from Wales to London almost every weekend, it was worth it. I’m sure that the other candidates, whether they were from London, Manchester, Newcastle or Sunderland would definitely agree with me!
The actual night was crazy! We were all so nervous and excited. Yet all of us presented the audience with all different types of beauty and entertainment. I must say that the scariest parts were swimwear and Q&A. Regardless of my fears, I smiled and enjoyed myself throughout it. If want to have a ‘summer body’ or even better if you’re comfortable with your current body, strut your stuff! Be proud of what you have. Because believe me when I say that not only are you giving people with a show but you’re also a role model to many of those girls and boys. With Q&A, don’t think about who’s watching, perceive it as an opportunity for people to finally hear you out. Though it’s useful to perhaps get an idea of how you’d answer the questions beforehand.
I’m incredibly blessed to have met such wonderful people and receive an astounding amount of support. It was overwhelming in a sense that even after it all finished, it still felt like a dream. This experience taught me to love myself. You may be insecure about whatever flaws you have, but you become great once you learn to accept it and love it.
I highly advise that anyone join. You don’t have to look a particular way in order to be successful in a beauty pageant. Everyone gains something from it – life lessons, wisdom and life long friends. Just smile, be yourself and to be confident. You can do a lot more than you think.
Rafaella’s MPUK Experience
It’s been almost 1 year since my mum and her friends encouraged me to join Miss Philippines UK. It was a very daunting process, as pageantry has always been a foreign concept for me and it still is! Having the right walk, the right sway and the right stature, was confusing and slightly awkward for me. So I met Yulee, maybe 4th week after the auditions. I joined late! Because nursing placement had to be done. Assignments had to be completed, and an extreme increase of self-belief had to be boosted in order for me to even join a beauty pageant!
Luckily, Yulee, the other contestants and the dancers were kind enough to teach me the steps to some of the choreography that I missed during the first few weeks. So there I was dancing to Chris Brown, doing the salsa to Enrique Eglesias and walking to Ed Sheeran. I come home and think, did I really just do that?! Well I did and I sort of performed it to quite a lot of people, actually WE, all the contestants and the dancers performed it exceptionally well in front of our family, our loved ones and to people who just wanted to watch!
Overall, it was an unforgettable, amazing, emotional- slightly cringy experience and I don’t regret it for the world. It gives you a chance to meet other young Filipinos here in the UK, full, half, quarter, three-quarter, one-fifth, two-fifth… Anyway, it was a very good experience to mingle and talk about our Filipinoness and share about what we love about our heritage! Thank you to all the organisers of Miss Philippines UK and the contestants for making it fun and enjoyable!
Rafaella Carreon
2nd Runner Up 2014
Charlene’s MPUK Experience
My name is Charlene Foster, candidate of Miss Philippines UK in 2013 and sister of Miss Philippines UK 2014 (and I would like to say personal trainer! *wink*)
The Barrio festival of 2013 (when I was 18) was when I first heard about MPUK. They made the event sound AMAZING and persuaded me to join. However, the thing I was really worried about was being half Filipino…
I don’t look Filipino. I don’t talk Tagalog. And, I was not used to being around Filipino’s (it was only when I was 16 I started going to Filipino events and immersing myself in my Filipino culture.) I was really scared I wouldn’t fit in and that the other candidates wouldn’t accept me because I am not ‘Filipino’ enough (despite my blood being 50% Filipino!) Nonetheless, my mum and the organisers persuaded me to join and I also thought it was an amazing opportunity to discover more about my Filipino culture.
However, I did join quite late. I think I missed the auditions and the first two or three weeks of practice, everybody started to mingle with each other already and I was even more nervous when my mum and me were slightly late for my first ever rehearsal. But once I arrived, I LOVED it! Everybody was really friendly and nice and I definitely did not feel left out. Meeting a group of amazing people who supported each other throughout the experience, not only in the pageant but also through newfound friendships, made my pageant experience particularly memorable.
Although I should be writing “unfortunately, I did not win anything on the night,” I achieved far more than I could have imagined. In particular, I gained a MAJOR CONFIDENCE BOOST (and right before University, there was no better time!) I enjoyed it SO much that I even persuaded my older sister, Yulee, to join! I felt like as I already experienced it, I could give her thorough advice and guide her way through it. And, guess what? SHE WON!
The advice I gave to Yulee and the advice I would give to everyone is, well… I’ll let Yulee pass that advice onto you. I look forward to meeting all you lovely candidates of Miss Philippines UK 2015, despite all your worries, just go for it! I can 100% assure you that you WILL enjoy your experience.
Until then,
Charlene x
Jasmine’s MPUK Experience
Hey all! I’m Jasmine. Some of you may know me as the Miss Friendship and Miss Charity of Miss and Mr Philippines UK 2014. Before I talk about my experience, I would just like to commend, as a friend and fellow candidate, the lovely Miss Yulee Foster and how she has actively utilised her title as Miss Philippines UK thus far, and I cannot wait to see what else she has in store for us.
Let me start off by saying, originally the idea of entering MPUK was certainly daunting. Ironically, a few weeks prior to the audition days, I was sure about entering, but on the last week to the actual audition, I seriously thought, “Oh God, what am I doing?” I found it nerve-wracking walking up to the auditions. I had never done anything like this before and had no idea what I had in store. Then I thought to myself, this is going to be an experience if anything – and in the end I was so right. Looking back at the time I had with MPUK, in the summer of 2014, there are so many memories to recount and so many things I gained.
From start to finish, an experience like this helps you grow as an individual. I definitely feel that it strengthened me as a person, as it motivated me to be more confident and it shed light on my strengths and weaknesses. It also provided me with the opportunity to become more in touch with my Filipino roots, having been surrounded by fellow Filipino people, the culture/traditions and occasionally, yummy Filipino food.
I walked into this process an individual and walked out of it with wonderful friends. I genuinely had no idea that I was going to get along with the candidates as well as I did, let alone make real friendships. Seriously, for the most part I had so much fun with these people that you forget that you’re meant to be competing with them. Each person was unique and added something to the experience. They are truly an amazing bunch and I am lucky to be counted as one of them. Belated apologies for all of the selfies that bombarded Facebook news feeds that summer haha.
The night of the pageant was unforgettable and went by so quickly for us candidates. All our hard work was finally showcased and though there were raging nerves, we all pushed through it and I am proud of everyone who participated – as walking on stage in swimwear is not as easy as some may think (note: if you are thinking of joining, please don’t let that unnerve you, as it is so worth it in the end). Let me also point out that the people who worked behind the scenes that night, deserve their own round of applause as you wouldn’t believe how much was going on behind the curtain.
Winning the titles of Miss Friendship and Miss Charity is such an honour. These are awards based on the support of people close to me and I wear the sashes proudly for each person who bought tickets to see me on the night, or for the raffle (for the Miss Charity title) and for each person from my MPUK family who voted for me (for Miss Friendship). I cannot express how grateful I am to every person who was part of me winning both awards. For me, that reminder of unwavering support made the whole experience worth it.
If you are thinking of joining, I really encourage you to do so. There are two things I want you to remember if you do join:
1. You will not be alone through this process.
There are going to be so many people who will have your back. The organisers immediately put you at ease, from the audition and throughout the process and want you to do well. Of course, you never know who you’re going to get in terms of the group of candidates, however remember that you are all in the same boat, all going through the same process. Trust me, making friends in this will make the experience much more fun and enriching. Let’s not forget, that you will have all those people cheering for you on the night who are there for you and believe in you.
2. Be(lieve) in yourself
Be yourself! Believe in yourself! This is how you are going to get through the pageant night with no regrets. Let your clothes be something true to what you want to wear and what makes you comfortable, rather than something that you THINK will win. Believe in how you present yourself. Believe in your introduction and your answers, because if they are true to you, it will come out more naturally. Don’t quote or say something that you don’t believe in. Don’t let any part of this experience be half-hearted. No one can be you, better than you can.
I am excited to see the show this year and all the new candidates that come with it. If you are joining, I wish you the best of luck, but urge you to remember to enjoy it! Can’t wait to meet some of you in the summer!
All the best,
Jasmine xoxo
M a b u h a y 