Why Sian Maynard chose to join Ms. Philippines-earth over Bb. Pilipinas

CEBU, Philippines - It is her passion for volunteer work that made Miss Cebu 2008 Sian Elizabeth Maynard decide to join the Ms. Philippines-Earth Pageant this year, over the other and arguably, more famous national pageant, Bb. Pilipinas.

This was revealed during a phone interview granted by the 23-year-old Cebuana bet the other day, amid the busy schedule in the lead-up to the coronation night to be held at the Manila Ocean Park this Saturday.

Ms. Philippines-Earth is the first major national pageant for Sian, whose track record in local beauty pageants is, shall we say, perfect. She won Ms. Mandaue in 2007, Ms. Cebu in 2008, and got to represent Cebu in the Ms. Aliwan Festival 2009, and came home with the title.  

“This pageant is really suited for me. I've always enjoyed doing volunteer work ever since, especially environmental volunteerism. This is something that I love doing,” Sian told The FREEMAN when asked why she opted to join Ms. Philippines-Earth, when the expected and more conventional route was to enter Bb. Pilipinas.

“Bb. Pilipinas is great. It also has charities but what really draws me to Ms. Philippines-Earth is the chance it gives to take care of the environment,” she said.

She was even more inspired to join it since she was given the full support of her family and friends.

Asked if she was open to competing in Bb. Pilipinas in the near future, she said, “I guess, I’ll do it one at a time. I’m not closing my doors to it and I’m not yet opening it, either.”

According to Sian, she doesn’t know what are her chances in snagging the Ms. Philippines-Earth title, since she is up against 49 other candidates, including seasoned models, a magna cum laude graduate, and former Bb. Pilipinas candidates. The crowned Ms. Philippines-Earth will then proceed to represent the country in the global pageant, Ms. Earth, on November.

The expectations toward her participation, nevertheless, are running high, given her winning history, and given the fact that Cebu already produced a Ms. Earth winner no less in 2008, in the person of Karla Paula Henry, who bested beauties from the different parts of the world.

“I’m trying my best since the competition among the candidates is so tight and strong. They’re also doing their best, that’s why on my part, I’m making the most out of this competition,” Sian said.

When asked on what is her edge over the other equally gorgeous ladies, she said, “I think, my edge over the other ladies is that I have the support of the Cebuano people. There are so many Cebuanos who helped me. They gave me advice and trainings. They even watched my videos and gave their assessments.”

She added that representing the Queen City of the South in her first national pageant is a great responsibility that she takes seriously.

“It’s really different compared to joining Ms. Cebu, because I’m only bringing my self and my name. But in a national event like this, I’m already bringing the name of Cebu. Hopefully I could bring pride and honor to Cebu,” she said.

Sian also revealed her preparations before the pageant night.

“I went on a diet and exercised. I had to go through some workshops on how to walk properly, on how to prepare myself, to do my personal make-up and hair styling. Kay kalit lang manawag ang mga organizers nga naa'y function, nya dili na mi maka-ask og make-up artist so we need to do it by ourselves,” she said.

Sian claimed that she is enjoying the entire pre-pageant experience. “The pre-pageant experience has been really great and enjoyable. We went to Gawad Kalinga and we had a coastal cleanup at the Pasig river.”

When they visited Gawad Kalinga, they were given the opportunity to learn how to build the foundation of a house like leveling the ground and mixing the gravel and cement. Aside from this, they cooked food for the children there.

Sian said that she is very grateful for the trainings she underwent during the Ms. Cebu pageant, because they really helped her a lot now in Ms. Philippines-Earth.

She further said that she is also very thankful for the support extended to her by Cebuanos.

“Thank you for your support. It’s the support that you’ve given me that has helped me go through this competition,” she ended.