My journey to the crown

 CEBU, Philippines - Never did I imagine feeling this overwhelmed and blissful as the coronation for Mr. and Ms. Press Freedom 2012 has finally come to an end – a truly triumphant one.

When I applied as a reporter for The FREEMAN last February, I didn’t have any anticipation at all that I would play another role apart from being an ordinary yet friendly employee in the company.

A few months before September, Sir Ryan Mark Borinaga, whom I now refer as my so-called handler, kept on mentioning the dreadful term “Ms. Press Freedom” in the office and teasing me as if they were really eyeing me to represent the paper on the said competition.

I just laughed it off and jokingly declined such responsibility. Little did I know that Sir Ryan Mark and Ms. Divine Ngujo were already serious in their plan.

However, one particular incident that happened to my handler made me realize how serious these people were. He accidentally slipped into a sewage channel, while worrying whom to appoint as a candidate for the pageant.

It may sound funny but when I heard about it, it felt like there was a snap at the back of my mind but I continued to refuse.

No one could blame me either since it would be my first time to be part of the annual celebration of the Press Freedom Week with an initial impression that this is all just for fun.

Eventually, I accepted the challenge and agreed to be the representative of The FREEMAN for Ms. Press Freedom 2012.

From that day onwards, I had to exert effort to transform my boyish attitude to a ladylike personality—  from the way I talk, the way I walk, the way I look and the way I act which for me, was a sacrifice since I am not this usual “Gracey” people know of.

To hone my oral communication skills, I was invited by Sir Joeberth Ocao to attend the meeting of the Queen City Toastmasters where I learned techniques for impromptu public speaking that was willingly shared by the club members.

Since a witty response to the query would really matter in that particular pageant according to some, I diligently practiced for the question and answer portion part with my trainers Sir Ryan Mark, Sir Joeberth, Madame Marlinda Angbetic Tan, Ms. Jeannette Malinao, Ms. Malou Inocando Tabar and Ms. Debbie Duraliza.

As a ‘sort-of’ beauty queen, I was also taught how to gracefully walk and make a pose courtesy of Ms. Marigold Lebumfacil and had additional training with Ms. Anna Maris Igpit, Ms. Sian Elizabeth Maynard and Ms. Karla Paula Henry together with my co-candidates.

I had to wear contact lenses instead of my eyeglasses to look more presentable on stage, which I considered as a burden since it was really painful at first.

I had done all the preparations but I also had sleepless nights. I felt anxious about the ‘what ifs’ that could happen during the actual pageant.

No matter how I wanted time to stop, I couldn’t. Last September 15, I was dolled up by my hair and make-up artist, Ramil Solis, which left me in awe since I had to admit, I was really beautifully transformed.

However, no one could ever comfort my panicky soul as we headed to Harolds Hotel, thinking what my fate would be.

But our GM, Sir Melandro Mendoza, gave me chocolates which I cherish as my ‘happy hormones.’ Those endorphins made me the typical, happy-spirited girl who just wanted to enjoy every second of that dreadful moment.

Before the program started and while savoring those happy hormones, it led me to a realization that since this would be my first and last time to join a beauty (and brains) pageant, I am left with no choice but to treasure such opportunity given to me instead of worrying that I might perform badly on stage.

I did not want to have that uneasy feeling so I made the effort to smile and laugh off my nerves. It wasn’t overconfidence; it was the cheerfulness brought on by the chocolates!

I had to admit, it was a tough competition, particularly during the final question and answer portion where I wore the dazzling evening gown of Dexter Alazas.

I believed that media practitioners are not just good in broadcast and print journalism but we also have something to brag about when it comes to beauty, talent and brains.

And thank God, the pageant had finally come to an end – a victorious one for The FREEMAN as we bagged the crown of Ms. Press Freedom 2012 and for Cebu Daily News as Mr. Press Freedom 2012.

I couldn’t thank enough my biological family, friends, my The FREEMAN family and my colleagues from other media outfits for showing their love and their all-out support in this undertaking.

I cannot cite all your names here but you know who you are and I will be forever grateful to all of you for making me realize that I can do it, I am good at it and successful doing it.

It is also gratifying since the Lord God Almighty has blessed me so much and I believe that such triumph in this pageant is part of His loving will for me as His child.

I never expected that the dreaded term before would be my honorable title from then on. But I guess, I have to live up to them, wearing that sparkling and radiant crown of responsible journalism, until my reign ends and thereafter.

Happy Press Freedom Week, Cebu media! (FREEMAN)