Keeping an eye on showbiz

Of late, the Philippines has performed exceptionally well in international beauty pageants. Last year, we became the first country to win all the five major international titles, including Miss Universe (which we won in 1969, with Gloria Diaz, and in 1973, with Margarita “Margie” Moran) to Miss International (with Gemma Cruz Araneta, Aurora Pijuan, Melanie Marquez, Lara Quigaman, Bea Rose Santiago), Miss Earth (Karla Henry), Miss Supranational (Johanna Datul) and finally, the elusive Miss World title won by Megan Young.

And let’s not forget all the finalist finishes of the likes of Venus Raj, Shamcey Supsup, Janine Tugonon, and in 2013, Ariella Arida. Because of what they’ve accomplished, every young woman’s beauty pageant dream is now within reach.

Miss Manila third runner-up and People’s Choice awardee in the recently-concluded Miss Manila pageant, Kayesha Clauden Chua is one of those who dreams of making it to the Miss World-Philippines pageant this year. Kaye, who stands 5’8”, is a BS Hotel and Restaurant Management cum laude graduate of the University of Santo Tomas (UST). Kaye traces her roots to Albay, joined showbiz on the egging of her friend and schoolmate Mauro ”Maui” Lumba, winner of the Century Tuna Superbods 2014 competition held recently at the Pearl of the Pacific Resort in Boracay.

Although she has had a few showbiz projects — she did a few tapings as Nikki Gil’s friend in Maria Mercedes and also appeared in a music video for the song Kay Palad Mo by Jayke Reyes — right now, Kaye’s attention is focused on pageants.

Kaye finds acting both challenging and fun, and is not closing any doors, but she says that “now that I already have a taste of what acting is like, I now know that the pageant life is where I want to be,” she says. “Yes, acting is fun but when it comes to your career, I think that it should go way beyond having fun. You should feel comfortable and sure of yourself, because when you are, what you’re doing won’t feel like work anymore and that’s what I feel when I’m on stage.”

Kaye is now busy preparing for this year’s Miss World Philippines pageant. For the last three months, she has been working on losing weight and toning her body under the supervision of her PT Erie Matic. “I’m also attending personal trainings for this and that,” she says.  â€œI personally think that in joining a pageant, you must be physically and emotionally ready. One must always go with the other; you should be able to present yourself without doubts and full confidence at all times because for me, a true beauty queen is always sure of herself, in what she believes in and with who she truly is.”

But while her dreams may be taking her in another direction, Kaye realizes the benefits in having a management outfit. “It has opened a lot of opportunities that only a few can have,” she says, adding, “we’ve already been through acting workshops, voice lessons and dance lessons and they always push us to do more than we already can, taking us one step closer to our dreams. As of now, Backroom has also given me my own set of training sessions to prepare for Miss World-Philippines.”

Kaye won’t stop working and training, or dreaming of that crown. As of now, she says, that is her top goal. “I’m going to take it moment by moment. It’s easier that way. I’ll be able to reach my goals one by one if I prioritize and refrain from juggling everything. At the same time, after Miss World, only then will I be sure about what my next step will be. For now, I’ll enjoy the moment and let fate decide.”