Miss Universe Philippines Bantayan Island Hershey Mhae Senit. Image: INQUIRER.net/Armin P. Adina
The beauty pageant world has so become a cut-throat industry that many women undergo major physical procedures to help them win a crown. And for medical doctor Hershey Mhae Senit who is competing in the 2024 Miss Universe Philippines pageant, there is nothing wrong with aesthetic enhancements.
“Personally, I do not disagree. There are those who believe that a Miss Universe Philippines or beauty queens should be ‘all-natural’ only. I do believe in women’s confidence. If they want to do it, if they want to engage into aesthetics, then go. If that makes her more beautiful, more confident in herself, then go. it’s just a personal perspective,” the delegate from Bantayan Island told INQUIRER.net on the sidelines of the pageant’s signing event with lead sponsor Villa Medica held at the Hilton Manila in Pasay City on Wednesday, March 20.
But she said she has not had any procedure done on herself, nor is she mulling getting one soon. “Aside from the Miss Universe Philippines, I’ll be going back to my profession as a medical doctor. And as much as possible, I just want to stay in my shape, a natural look,” explained Senit, who just passed the licensure examinations for physicians in November.
She also clarified that she does not “condemn” women who opt to have surgical enhancements. “Go girl! I always have this mantra of women supporting women. If that makes her beautiful. If that makes her more confident, then go. I support you very well,” she said.
Senit said some people asked her why she still decided to embark on a pageant journey despite having a secure profession already. “It is not just about a crown. Because being here, being known as a medical doctor, and with other doctors and sponsors engaging with me, we need to help for medical missions that I really want to do in my life,” she shared.
The Cebuana physician said she would like to take advantage of the platform provided by the Miss Universe Philippines pageant to advocate public health and proactively engage in health programs in Cebu’s far-flung provinces. She earned the right to represent Bantayan Island in the national competition after receiving the Miss Universe Philippines Cebu-Tourism title in the provincial tilt.
But for now, while waiting for the call to visit remote barangays for medical missions, Senit is happily sharing her expertise with her fellow candidates by taking consultations with them. “For now, because I just recently acquired my license, this is my way of giving back to the community. So they consult me for free, from the bottom of my heart, everything is free,” she said.
Senit said pageant contestants should know how to manage stress. She also thanked the Miss Universe Philippines Organization for giving them breaks. “We have our rest days as well,” she said. “One thing I will advise for the ladies is that, aside from getting on with all the schedules, it’s very important for you to also enjoy. Because when you enjoy, it just brings out the best of yourself. You can forget the stress. You can forget how tired you are.”
The Cebuana doctor is among the 53 ladies competing to succeed Michelle Marquez Dee, who finished in the Top 10 of the 72nd Miss Universe pageant held in El Salvador. The eventual winner will compete in the global tilt’s 73rd installment to be held in Mexico later this year.
The 2024 Miss Universe Philippines titleholder will also try to score the country’s fifth victory in the international pageant, following Gloria Diaz (1969), Margie Moran (1973), Pia Wurtzbach (2015) and Catriona Gray (2018).