Fortunately Grateful

It started with a call from Ate Cinbeth Orellano. The invitation stunned me but I was certain it must have been a mistake. I kept repeating the words to myself until it finally sank into me that she had indeed chosen me. Whoever it was that spearheaded my fate on the pageant it must have been truly a blunder, but I tell you this now, it was a blunder I’d be time and again willing to take part in.

I never heard from Ate Cin until the week of the pageant when she informed me of the rehearsals and gown fitting. The first night of the rehearsal was a bluff. I was only there to watch for a few minutes. It was on the eve of the pageant when I had to line read with the main host Paolo Trillo. At first meeting he was honestly friendly and casual, yet he admitted he was excited to be on the show. Not long after that, he had confided in me that it was his first time hosting a beauty pageant. That’s new! But what’s most interesting is the unbelievable realization of knowing that I was hosting it along with him, not just doing anchor! Well, surprise, surprise it is. I’ve known this was the greatest privilege ever could have been granted to me by the CCTC aside from becoming part of the Miss Cebu Court five years back. Imagine, I was just a mere onlooker and candidate then I’m now hosting it for real! That realization still is unbelievable for me up to this day. I’m totally honored and overwhelmed and absolutely grateful.

However, these weren’t the exact feelings I’ve had on the pageant’s eve. It was more of doubt and fear that overtook me. I have never imagined myself onstage with the likes of Boy Abunda, Melanie Ediza and Karla Bautista with my high regards for these people. So again that overwhelming feeling washed over me. Plus the reminder I got from one of the commissioners on my "nasal" voice, which I have never noticed. Sigh, another downer. How would I be able to meet their expectations?

The following day had to be one of the most exhausting days in my life. My designer declined to lend me his gown for some obvious ulterior reason God bless his soul, so I had to hop from one name to another before I landed on the trustworthy hands of Philip Rodriguez.  He was undoubtedly my angel in disguise. He chose (along with MAC’s Chikoy) the lovely purple cocktail beaded and feathered spaghetti-strapped dress for me which was simply beautiful! I had donned it with a contrastingly barely-there nude peep-toe heels I had to snatch off from one of the stalls in the mall.

With a few hours of sleep, total support from my husband and a handful of courage in my pockets, I breezed through the Waterfront Hotel straight into the final rehearsals where technicalities had to be done and all the performances run through. Knowing Junjet Primor, you could only expect an event near perfection and so you should give your best even in rehearsals.

Then it was time to have my make up done. I hurried back stage hoping to catch the time. I never knew I still had plenty of time to go for a chit chat but the state of mind I’ve had never gave me an opportunity to do so. I wanted to relax because goodness I was fidgeting.

Backstage I’ve seen the same faces of the official make up artists who had done the faces of dozens of girls and turned them into living Barbie dolls with the touch of their hands. I truly salute them. When it was my turn, Ramil Solis made a masterpiece out of my face. Bravo! J Light make up served me well as he knows the ways of television lightings and focus. But even at this time, I felt the tension in the room as it was made known to everyone who is hosting. I just simply kept my mouth shut but my radars widely grasping info.

I have had my chance of meeting again our queen for 2002, Melanie and we talked of old times. Its been quite a while since we last bumped into each other and I must say she looks as glamorous as ever, truly a beauty queen.  

As it signaled for the show to begin, I couldn’t help but worry. With one candidate accidentally slashing a deep cut on her finger backstage with a blade and with the mood in the large ballroom along with everyone’s eyes fixed on stage, my hands could not help but fidget and my knees wobble in anticipation. I was scared to death! Only a few minutes to an hour later did I begin to calm down literally when I was starting a "guessing" chat with Mike Rama to my left and Boy Abunda to my right. Amazing people I have talked with that night. Again, I am truly honored to have been there.

          The night went on and the winners were proclaimed. Of course, my work is done and I’m bound to leave. But for some reasons I had to stay for the after-party at Casino Filipino with the rest of the guests and commissioners. Had some chit chat with Paolo before he called it a night, pictures taken of Boy and Natalie Glebova, with my friends in the pageant and former schoolmate in secondary school, Anna Alcaraz,  who unfortunately didn’t make it to top five. But she still did a good job!

          And so it was for me, an ugly duckling’s never-been-a dream that came true in the most unexpected way- hosting the most prestigious pageant in the island of Cebu and my second in a week, looking glamorous and clothed in designer gowns for a night and coming home to become a loving wife at the end of the day. With less and less sleep and more waking hours, I’d say I’ll call it a night. One satisfying night!