Over more than two decades now, the pageant community in the Philippines has unquestionably flourished.
In addition to the renowned four major pageants around the world—Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss International, and Miss Earth—Filipinos have shown increasing interest in various other international pageant titles.
These include Miss Supranational, Miss Grand International, Miss Intercontinental, Miss Globe, and numerous other pageants.
Each of these pageants has established its own particular criteria for evaluating potential beauty queens.
Consequently, there is an expectation of a "prototype" candidate emerging with the pageant's coveted crown.
But now come beauty queens who defy these entrenched stereotypes, who break the template—and win!
THE INSPIRING STORY OF ANGELICA LOPEZ
Angelica Lopez's surprising victory as Binibining Pilipinas International on May 28, 2023, truly shook beauty pageant fandom.
Read: Angelica Lopez, Anna Valencia Lakrini claim Binibining Pilipinas 2023 crowns
Angelica doesn't fit the "Miss International prototype," as many fans pointed out on social media just seconds after she was crowned.
When Angelica stepped on the Binibining Pilipinas 2023 stage, the morena beauty queen from Palawan exuded such fierceness and commanded such attention that no one could ignore her. She owned it, and she was a sight to behold.
But her appearance, to many pageant followers, just does not fit the Miss International beauty queen template. True, too. We only have to look at past winners of the Japan-based international pageant to see its preferred beauty mold.
Pageant fans often describe Miss International winners as fair-skinned, poised, demure, and all about elegance. The mold is that of the refined lady with an aura that is doll-like—mukhang maynika—because, the fans say, that is what the Japanese look for in their queens.
Kylie Verzosa certainly fit the template and also set the bar high when she claimed the crown in 2016, embodying the conventional standards of sophistication and grace. Her subsequent victory solidified the image that many fans, including those from the Philippines, have of Miss International winners.
And true, again, because it's been a considerable length of time since the Miss International pageant last crowned a woman who was not fair-skinned. Naturally, this has led fans to believe the existence of a particular "Miss International prototype."
Valerie Hernandez of Puerto Rico was the last non-fair-skinned Miss International, and that was back in 2014. Before Valerie, Elizabeth Mosquera from Venezuela, also a woman of color, secured the title in 2010.
Some fans perceive Angelica as a better fit for the strong and empowered image commonly associated with the Miss Universe pageant. Her performance and overall vibe also exude an energy similar to what we often witness in Miss Grand International queens.
So, it is disheartening to hear that, this early into her crowning, Angelica has already been hit with comments demolishing her triumph.
As I leave Araneta, I overhear some pageant enthusiasts expressing disappointment, questioning Angelica's chances of winning the Miss International title for us because she just does not fit the mold.
Sadly, negative comments are an unfortunate reality for many beauty queens.
TAKING HER SPOTLIGHT: PAULINE AMELINCKX
Boholana beauty queen Pauline Amelinckx departs for Poland fully prepared to secure the country's second Miss Supranational crown.
However, even with all that preparedness, Pauline, like Angelica, is battered with comments saying she doesn't align with the prototype of a Miss Supranational.
After Michelle Dee's crowning as Miss Universe Philippines 2023 on May 13, 2023, the Miss Universe Philippines Organization made the unexpected announcement that Pauline would represent the Philippines in the 14th edition of the Miss Supranational pageant, scheduled for July 2023.
The news came as a surprise to pageant enthusiasts who expected Krishnah Gravidez from Baguio City to be the country's rep to Miss Supranational.
Instead, Krishnah will be competing in the Miss Charm pageant in Vietnam in 2024.
Krishnah's doll-like look, remarkable stage presence, and exceptional performance level have been the main factors that led fans to envision her competing at the Miss Supranational stage.
Those characteristics are, after all, what pageant fans have noted in Miss Supranational winners throughout its history.
Not to imply that Pauline lacks these characteristics, but numerous fans believe she would excel more in the relatively new Miss Charm pageant.
BREAKING THE MOLD
It is fascinating to witness how Pauline, Angelica, and other recently crowned beauty queens defy the molds or prototypes set by fans for their favorite pageants.
Witnessing Angelica's triumph at Binibining Pilipinas International is rejuvenating for me, particularly considering that it's been years since Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. last sent a morena beauty queen to compete in the Miss International pageant.
The last time was eight years ago, 2015, with Janicel Lubina, who, interestingly, hails from Palawan, just like Angelica.
Pauline, for her part, is already establishing herself as a frontrunner in the Miss Supranational pageant, showcasing her personality smartly in her remarkable performance in the Supra Chat Interview with Ivan Padrez.
I remain optimistic as I see, online, many standing firmly behind Pauline's and Angelica's victories. Many netizens are now recognizing them both and are cheering them on.
It's incredibly inspiring to see this side—this positivity—going in the direction of Angelica and Pauline.
The best pageants are those where there are no fixed prototypes. It is these pageants that make the event about diverse individuals giving their best, highlighting their unique qualities, making a pitch for the advocacies close to their hearts.
If a contestant has worked for years—and it is hard work—to become the face and body that she wants to present to the world, and if, along with that discipline, she has brought to the contest the skill, attitude, and intelligence that it takes to win the crown—then why should pre-determined standards and traditional biases get in her way? Why shouldn't she be celebrated as the winner?
Pageants should be platforms for embracing diversity and individuality, as much as for celebrating the accomplishments of women who also happen to be stunning and beautiful.
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