Miss Universe Philippines delegates. Image: INQUIRER.net/Armin P. Adina
MANILA, Philippines—The Miss Universe Philippines delegates underwent a series of training sessions, workshops, seminars and other activities to further empower them for the subsequent stages of the competition. But have all the time and effort they spent paid off? Apparently so, according to a pageant official.
When the Inquirer asked Miss Universe Philippines Director of Communications Voltaire Tayag at the sidelines of the delegates’ press presentation if he was satisfied with how the ladies performed, he replied, “Of course, we were very optimistic about what [the trainings were] gonna do.”
Thirty-seven of the 38 candidates paraded in floral-printed dresses, save for one contestant who opted for a sheer dress over a swimsuit, at the presentation held at the Marquis Events Hall at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City on April 11. Some of them even got to share their thoughts when quizzed by select members of the media.
For their “glam pageant training,” the 2023 Miss Universe Philippines candidates had runway coaching from Jonas Gaffud, the organization’s creative director, makeup tutorial from Nix Soriano, and hair care and hairstyling tips from Mark Rosales of Marqed Salon.
The delegates also had roundtable discussions on topics such as mothers in the Miss Universe Philippines pageant, pageant rookies and veterans, breadwinners, and the LGBTQIA plus (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual and others) community and allies.
They also learned about financial literacy from social entrepreneur Vince Rapisura during the “Usapang Pera (Money Talk)” seminar, and had media training from Tayag himself with broadcast journalist Dyan Castillejo.
The pageant also oriented the ladies on its advocacy work with Save the Children Philippines though its Corporate Partnership Coordinator Alessandra Alberto and beauty queen Katarina Rodriguez. Shamcey Supsup-Lee, the contest’s national director, also offered advice on how to have purpose beyond the crown.
This year, the Miss Universe Philippines pageant is also supporting the Autism Society of the Philippines, which conducted an autism sensitivity training not only for the delegates but for the staff as well.
“A month and a half after, we were very pleasantly surprised to see the improvement, because I think the improvement really came from within, and their confidence level, and their belief in themselves that they know that they are good enough,” Tayag shared.
He said the organization had been planning to do it in the previous editions, but the pandemic restrictions prevented them from conducting extensive training sessions, with visitors from outside the team. “We also have the luxury of time now,” Tayag said.
He said that the current batch was perfect for the series of training sessions the organization designed. During the screening, Tayag said the team knew the delegates were not only ready, they also deserve to undergo a series of empowering activities in order for them to present the best that they can during the final competition.
The 2023 Miss Universe Philippines coronation night will be held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on May 13. Reigning Miss Universe R’Bonney Gabriel and 2019 queen Zozibini Tunzi will have a special participation in the program. “American Idol” runner up Jessica Sanchez and KPop idol Nam Woo-Hyun will also perform. /ra