First Ms. M-Talent winner wants to spread awareness on dyslexia

CEBU, Philippines —  With a production that surprisingly rivalled established beauty tilts like the former Miss Cebu, M-Talent Events and Promotions hired industry stalwarts to put on a showstopper of a maiden pageant.

Led by renowned stage director Junjet Primor, the Ms. M-Talent 2019 coronation night held Saturday at Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino was one memorable event for guests as they were ushered to a red carpet and swept into a venue transformed for an elegant ball.

Crowned the pageant’s winner, who will become M-Talent Events and Promotion’s face for an entire year, was Kiara Liane Wellington who bested 13 other candidates to bring home one million pesos worth of prizes.

Wellington, a Filipina-British who resides in Minglanilla, nabbed the  lion’s share of corporate and special awards, namely, Miss M Lhuillier, Miss V Creative Events, Miss Kevlo, Miss Bachelor’s Realty, Miss Slimmers World, Miss Smile Creations and Best in Evening Gown.

This is Wellington’s second title after winning a pageant in Barangay Pakigne in Minglanilla.

Asked during a sit-down Q&A what she will request if granted one wish from God, Wellington answered, “I will wish for a good life for my family, especially my mom. I see her struggles just to give me and my brother a decent life. That is why with my strong faith in God and hard work, I’m doing the best I can to secure a good life for her because that’s what she truly deserves.”

A Grade 12 student at Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy, she plans to take up Tourism and become a luxurious yacht stewardess.

“It’s a good way for me to travel the world and my parents both worked on yachts so they can teach me their ways,” Wellington told The FREEMAN post-coronation.

The 17-year-old hopes to use her platform to spread awareness on dyslexia, a general term for disorders that involve difficulty in learning to read or interpret words, letters, and other symbols, but that do not affect general intelligence

Bullied for eight years for her dyslexia, Wellington said she wants others to understand the condition instead of mock those afflicted with it.

“It was really hard for me and my mom. Others used to say I am stupid with a pretty face. When I joined a school pageant, they said ‘Why is she the representative of the school when she’s not smart and she can’t do it?’ But I changed their mind and words that I can do it and they were wrong about me,” said Wellington.

Awarded first runner-up was Fil-Arabian Kefaiah Al-Zair, an 18-year-old aspiring dentist. She was also named Ms Dulcet Skin, Miss Julie’s World of Fashion and Best in swimwear.

On her greatest fear in life and how she plans to overcome it, Al-Zair said during her turn in the Q&A, “This may sound really cliché, but within the deepest chambers of my heart, my biggest fear in life is losing my parents. The scary part in growing up is seeing your parents getting old and eventually losing them. I want my parents to live a longer life so that I can give back to them in exchange for all the hard work that they exerted, for the hardships they experienced just to raise me into who I am today. Thus, I want to take care of my parents, give them less hassle and accomplishing their dreams for me. But, if ever this greatest fear of mine will happen, I know that acceptance is the key to overcoming it.”

Second runner-up is 18-year-old Rikki Louisse Alivio, a Grade 12 student who dreams of becoming Asia’s next top model. She was also chosen Miss Photogenic, Miss Forever Smile, Miss Sky Waterpark, Miss Hasty Feet and Miss Prisca.

“I see M-Talent a very good avenue for people to get inspired and influence, to use our time in engaging through positive and productive recreational activities such as honing our talents and showcasing our capabilities. Therefore, Ms. M-Talent should possess grit. She should be passionate about her work and sharing her legacy with Ms. M-Talent. She should be hardworking towards sharing the mission and vision of M-Talent. And I believe I possess that,” said Alivio when asked what traits she thinks Ms. M-Talent should possess.

The first and second runners-up received P300,000 and P150,000 worth of prizes, respectively.

Other awardees were Princess Joesel Mae Bajamonde as Miss Derma, Miss Happy Beach and Miss Simhonas; Charline Bamelis as Miss Tuburan Coffee and Ms MMD & DC; Caryl Anne Beltran as Miss Super Yacht; Denise Gabrielle Capuyan as Miss Toledo Med; and Gabrielle Louise Kong as Miss Nicey Burger Junction.

Judges were Katherine Hale, Crystal Star Aberasturi-Kang, Maria Elena (who provided the ladies’ fun wear, swimwear and evening gowns), Regal Oliva, Jonas Gaffud, Kat De Castro, Paula Jane Ponce, Ruffa Gutierrez, Shamcey Supsup-Lee, Roy Gilbuela, Simon Banks, Michel Lhuiller and Cary Santiago, who served as chairman of the panel.

Hosted by Miss Earth 2008 Karla Henry and Vince Escario, the event also saw performances from Neil Coleta, Daniel Matsunaga, The Power Trio, Stephanie Lhui, and the twins Shiela and Sheena.