Dream and destiny fulfilled

CEBU, Philippines - There is much to discover of Cebu’s dusky damsel of the hour, the 20-year-old Miss Cebu 2014 Cheriemel Diane Muego, or Diane to family and friends. Student leader, activist, aspiring professor, Bollywood and Beyonce fanatic, cat lover, frustrated photographer – and now certified beauty queen.

Set to graduate this April with a Political Science degree from the University of Philippines-Cebu, Diane’s career plans are clear: full-time professor and part-time NGO worker. That, along with her task as Cebu’s brand-new beauty ambassadress.

Fresh from her come-from-behind pageant feat, Diane talked about her Miss Cebu journey, what lies ahead and what she thinks a “truly beautiful Cebuana” should be.

When it was down to you and candidate #10,  what did you feel your chances were?

I wasn’t really expecting because Eva [Patalinjug] got all of the awards, which is why I can’t articulate my happiness right now. I slept at 4 a.m. after the coronation, trying to think about all the things that happened — starting from the screening and our white-and-khaki days. It has been three months leading to the coronation night, and it feels truly overwhelming that the show ended as a success. More than winning the crown, what made me happy was giving the best show for the people, which is what they deserve — it being the pageant’s 30th anniversary.

How did your parents react to your victory?

My dad cried over the phone. He couldn’t believe I won. He usually doesn’t watch me in pageants because he gets nervous. He would go out of the venue, especially during the Q&A part. My mom…I could see in her expression when she climbed up the stage that she was astonished and amazed. She knew this was my dream. Seeing me fulfill that dream was astonishing for her.

Your pageant preparations?

I focused on ramp walking with the help of Jonas Borces and the Wafer Modelling Agency, because catwalk was my main problem. I had no problem in speaking and facing the public. I didn’t go on a diet; I just maintained my body. I believe that a truly beautiful Cebuana is not just physically beautiful, but also intelligent.

What prodded you to join Miss Cebu?

Miss Cebu is a unique pageant because it promotes conservatism and the personality of the Cebuana. The pageant doesn’t only look at a candidates’ physicality, but also at her advocacies and community involvement. My two advocacies are education for all and to alleviate the situation of fisherfolk in Cebu. These advocacies of mine were sparked by my internship at the Fisherfolk Development Center, and my thesis topic also delves on the fisherfolk community of Cebu.

Pageant fans have their own bets and can be quite passionate supporters. Have you encountered criticisms about you as a candidate?

Criticism is inevitable. You cannot please everybody. There were people who did not think I will enter the top five. There were times I felt no one was rooting for me — which I understand, because my fellow candidates were equally deserving.

Did being a student activist help you in the pageant?

My activism armed me with experience, such as being knowledgeable on societal problems and the concerns of Cebu’s marginalized sector. You have to immerse in the community you’re advocating for so that when you speak about it, you’re credible. In the pageant arena, I think you don’t need to be just eloquent and sound slang with your English. What’s important are your thoughts and ideas, which are based on your own experiences.

How did your classmates/schoolmates react upon knowing you joined Miss Cebu?

The UP-Cebu community was very supportive, except for some people who are known to be feminists. Some are teachers, some are students. But one reason I joined Miss Cebu is to prove that some pageants are not oppressive or discriminating to women. Miss Cebu is a very good example. In Miss Cebu, the women are gathered together to share experiences. The credibility and recognition I got from winning this prestigious title will help facilitate in pushing for my advocacies.

Your favorite pre-pageant activity?

When we went to Bantayan Island, since it was my first time there. Before Yolanda, my classmates were already talking about going to Bantayan or Camotes after graduation. When Yolanda happened, Ms. Cinbeth [Orellano] planned to go to Bantayan, and we were so excited to go with her. I was sad at first, because I didn’t expect to see Bantayan like that. It was too bad I didn’t get to see the island before it was devastated. The lesson there: if you really want to go somewhere, do it as soon as you can, because you never know what happens next. Another favorite activity of mine was the fine dining, simply because I love eating.

How’d you maintain a pageant-worthy figure then, if you love to eat?

It comes naturally. I was expecting to gain pounds, since there was a lot of eating in Miss Cebu. I don’t diet and exercise. I haven’t been to a gym even once.

Are you interested in joining a national pageant after your Miss Cebu reign?

As I told the Miss Cebu committee during screening, this will be my last pageant. My end goal is Miss Cebu. This is really a dream for me, as I have watched the Miss Cebu coronation for the last three years, and I’ve really been inspired by the ladies because they are not just beautiful, they also have passion for social change. I’ve mingled with the previous winners throughout my journey, and I’ve seen how deserving they are of their title.

How’d you become such a good public speaker?

Since elementary, I have been joining declamation, oratorical, extemporaneous speaking contests, storytelling, and all other speech contests. These helped in developing my confidence in public speaking, which gave me an edge in the pageant. The question I got for the casual interview…I was really hoping for a political question or something where I could give my best answer.

What got you started with joining pageants?

My very first pageant was in third year high school, for Miss Intrams. Later on, I decided to join Bb. Ormoc because I saw that I had potential. I believed in myself. There were people who were also convincing me. I felt I had nothing to lose, and had everything to gain.

You’re the second to the eldest among six siblings. How is it being part of a big family?

My mother really wanted it that way, because there are only two of them in her family. My family is large, but we are happy. We are four boys and two girls. My brothers treat me like a princess. They often accompany me when I go out and act like my guardians. I was supposed to be the only girl, but my parents wanted another girl, who’s our youngest at five years old.

Why Political Science?

Initially, I wanted to take up Law and embrace the dream of my parents, that’s why I took up Political Science. My father is a frustrated lawyer. Later on, I embraced the dream as my own because my father and the people inspired me. Political Science interested me because I wanted to know our system and how it works. Why is it that people are still suffering? Even if there are great leaders, why are there still marginalized sectors and still no proper allocation of resources? So I wanted to know the answer to these questions. My dreams intensified when I was in UP. Back in high school, my perception of life was so limited. Entering UP gave me an open mind regarding societal issues. I became interested about the news. I became interested about activism — something I had no idea about in high school. For me, activism is not bad. We are not against the government. We are actually against anti-people policies. Afterwards, I realized I want to penetrate the academe and become a professor. Taking up Law is expensive, and my family can’t afford it.

How do you effectively balance academics and your extra-curricular affairs?

I’m a graduating student and am doing my thesis alone, so managing my time was the most challenging part of being a Miss Cebu candidate, especially that there were many pre-pageant activities. It’s quite hard. I have grades to maintain and Student Council duties. It’s just time management and knowing your priorities. It’s a cliché, but it works for me. I managed the three months of juggling school and pre-pageant activities, so I’m confident I can also manage being a graduating student and fulfilling my Miss Cebu duties.