CEBU, Philippines - Naila ang half-German, half-Filipina nga si Stephany Dianne Damondamon Stefanowitz isip beauty queen—naghupot sa mga titulong Ms. Philippines-Earth ug Ms. Earth-Air 2012. Apan mas daghan pa kitang angay mahibaw-an kabahin sa Pinoy pride. Ania ang tipik sa atong pagpakighinabi sa dalaga diha sa Diamond Suites and Residences niadtong bisperas sa Sinulog.
Banat News Hugyaw (BNH): Kumusta naman ang pag-stay mo dito sa Queen City of the South, and what brings you here?
Steph: It’s good. Actually it’s my second time here in Cebu. The first was in 2010. Cebu is synonymous to fun naman talaga. Ngayon, Tito Jim Acosta of Psalmstre brought me here para sumakay sa float ng company n’ya. I’m so excited kasi it’s my first time to witness and even join the Sinulog.
BNH: What keeps you busy after the Ms. Earth coronation?
Steph: As the reigning Ms. Philippines-Earth and Ms. Earth-Air at the same time, I’m busy traveling locally ang internationally para ipaabot sa lahat kung ano na ang tunay na kalagayan ng ating kapaligiran. Now is the time para kumilos tayo para sa Mother Earth.
BNH: Bakit nga pala Ms. Philippines-Earth? Marami kasi ang nakapansin na swak ka sa Bb.Pilipinas at tsaka maraming mga kababaehan na nangarap makasali sa Bb.
Steph: I wanted to but mas inclined ako about the environment. Gusto ko kasi makatulong sa mga environmental projects. Environmental issue kasi ang most-pressing of all issues ngayon kasi iisa lang ang planet Earth, eh.
BNH: Yes, I can relate to that kasi my MA thesis is about zoonotic diseases (mga sakit gikan sa mananap nga mutakboy ngadto sa tawo), and climate change.
Steph: Oo kaya nga kahit di ako pinalad in 2010. Yes, I first joined in Ms. Philippines-Earth last 2010 representing Butuan City, my mother’s province, at hindi ako pinalad. But that didn’t stop me. Last year, I represented Quezon City and I won.
BNH: Is Ms. Philippines-Earth your first pageant?
Steph: When I was four, my mother let me join. Nanalo akong first runner-up. Yun ang pinaka-first ko. Hindi ko naisip kasi fashion designing lang naman talaga ang hilig ko. I finished the Fashion Design and Merchandising course from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. Mama ko talaga palaging nagpu-push sa akin na sumali.
BNH: Kumusta ang buhay pag-ibig ng isang Stephany Stefanowitz?
Steph: Very happy. May boyfriend ako isang bisaya from Dumaguete, related with the Lhuilliers. Five years na kami and he is very supportive sa lahat ng ginagawa ko.
BNH: Interesado ka rin ba sa showbiz like most beauty queens were?
Steph: Maraming mga offers but not now. Marami pa akong tungkulin for the environment at iyon ang uunahin ko. But definitely, I’ll give showbiz a try.
BNH: Sino ba talaga si Stephany off cam?
Steph: Simple, kalog, fun to be with, game, very Filipino in most choices, and God-fearing.
BNH: Para sa mga kababaihan, what to do para manalo sa isang pageant?
Steph: Dapat may advocacy, purpose kung bakit sumali para ma-convince ang lahat, especially the judges. Ang pagiging isang beauty queen ay hindi naman for fame. This is to empower women para maipaabot ‘yung advocacy niya.
BNH: What was your first reaction when Mr. Acosta invited you to be the newest endorser of New Placenta? Ang alam kasi ng lahat ng tao New Placenta is Melanie Marquez.
Steph: Honored and happy. Dati na kasi akong gumagamit ng New Placenta products. At least this time, may opportunity na ako to share my experience with the product. Di naman ako pressured kasi para lang namang nagpa-face lift. Sa una, maninibago ang mga tao pero in a few time matatanggap na nila. Pareho kaming international beauty queens, which means if you use New Placenta, beauty queen ka! (BANAT NEWS)