Around the time I threw my first question at the Boholana beauties, who were born and raised abroad, I received the bad news of the day. "Te wala nasulod si Lia sa top 20," read the text message from Bb. Pilipinas-World Ana Maris Igpit, a Boholana herself and good friend of Lia, who is a Davaoeña.
I was supposed to watch the televised pageant with Ana in Bohol, but the simultaneous press presentation prevented me from doing so, thus Anna provided the updates. And she did a good job from the moment the top 20 was chosen up to the time Miss Puerto Rico Zuleyka Mendoza Rivera was crowned as the 2006 Miss Universe. She even happily informed me that Lia was chosen Miss Photogenic, an award, which for many has no bearing at all because it was based on online voting. Whatever. At least Filipinos rallied their support, and that in a way was a positive thing because it meant that we were united in that aspect despite the present political division. Lia's award served a morale booster.
Anyway, right after the announcement of the top 20, I was flooded with text messages or shall I say inquiries to this effect, "Asa naman ang gipanghambog ni Lia nga 'I'll bring home the crown' or 'I have a gut feeling I'll be the next Miss Universe'?" How do I know when I never saw her performance during the pageant? Besides I'm not close to Lia. I met her once and briefly in Bohol last May. Nevertheless, watching her smile then and knowing that she knows how to speak in Bisaya made me like her instantly. My impression of Lia is that she's a well-bred, educated, confident and good woman. For that, I would like to defend her, using Bembol Roco's speaking line I stated above. When Ana was guest in my radio show last month (OkRyan at dyLA 909 khz, 3-4PM Monday to Friday), she told me how Lia would condition herself by facing the mirror the moment she would wake up in the morning with a greeting: "Good morning Miss Universe."
I can't blame Lia because I know how it feels to be in a pageant. It is not the actual competition that would drain your energy, but rather the preparation. As the big night approaches, you have to be strong because varied thoughts, worries and a lot of "what-ifs" would enter your mind. And you have to battle all these through positive thinking. Maybe having such a greeting every morning was Lia's way of convincing herself she can do it, not for herself but for the Filipinos counting on her at large. She actually made us a favor by trying to bring pride and honor to our country. For that she ought to be applauded.
Actually when I was still young I used to greet myself before the mirror every morning with: "Good morning Ryan! Each day you are feeling better, more confident and happier." Yes, that's true. And I would like to believe it worked for me because I was able to develop a sunny disposition. I'm lively and optimistic. It's just that Lia's statement about her "gut feeling of winning" became a big deal because she is a celebrity. As for me, who cares?
But then again to be in a beauty pageant or any competition for that matter, you ought to have determination. If you don't have it, why bother joining a contest? And you must have courage and most importantly, faith in God. Why so? It is because there are things in this world that are not meant for you because of what we call "destiny." Let me share these verses to you (Matthew 20: 20-23): Then the mother of James and John come to Jesus with her sons, and she knelt down to ask a favor. Jesus said to her, "What do you want?" And she answered, "Here you have my two sons. Grant that they may sit, one at your right and one at your left, when you are already in your kingdom." Jesus said to the brothers, "You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am about to drink?" They answered, "We can." Jesus replied, "You will indeed drink my cup, but to sit at my right or my left is not for me to grant. That will be for those whom the father has prepared it."
What I am trying to say is that, Lia was not simply destined to be Miss Universe 2006. So let us not blame her for expressing her gut feeling beforehand, even if the remark came across as boastful and proud remark to some of us. It's not her fault simply because there are those who are destined to become what God the father has prepared for them. In this case it was Miss Puerto Rico who was meant to be. I have said this again and again, when we fail it does not mean we are not good enough, it's just that God has prepared bigger and better things for us.
Let me share this with you. Three years ago, I applied for a writing job in another publication. I wasn't taken in but I viewed it positively by telling myself it wasn't my time yet. After a year, I became an entertainment columnist for this prestigious paper, an opportunity that used to be just a dream and which I never imagined would arrive soon. Two years ago, I applied for a broadcasting stint in one of the radio stations here. I got accepted but I was to be assigned in Manila. I believed it wasn't financially compensating enough for me to survive in the capital, so I did not push through with it. Now, I fully understand why I was not taken in by the publication where I applied or why I had to say no to that broadcasting stint. God has other plans for me, indeed.
I never dreamed of becoming editor, yes never in my wildest dreams, because I don't believe I have what it takes to be one. But our kind President, Sir Miguel Belmonte, and our ever-supportive General Manager, Sir Melandro Bhoy Mendoza, offered me the job at a time I least expected it. Who am I to refuse? Who I am to question God's will? Why should I go against my destiny? At the same time, who are we to question the will of God by making an issue of the statements Lia made before the biggest pageant in her lifetime? Whatever it was that made her lost, there are no more ifs and buts, as everything can be enumerated in one sentence: She wasn't destined for the crown.