In Focus: Binibining Argao

CEBU, Philippines — Her mother, Chona Perez, was once named among Cebu’s Five Prettiest and was a Binibining Cebu finalist. One look at Tracy Maureen “Mau” Perez and you can tell the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.

 After coming close to winning the Miss Cebu crown last year (she’s first runner-up to Gabriele Raine Baljak), Mau is once again vying to be an ambassadress who exemplifies today’s modern Cebuana.

“I believe that my strongest suit in the competition is that I am a proud Argaoanon. I really come from the municipality I represent and with that, I have a stronger passion and drive to go home with the crown and make my fellow Argaoanons proud,” says Mau, a Miss TC 2011 title-holder.

Currently employed as an Associate Software Engineer at Accenture, the Industrial Engineering graduate from the University of San Carlos says she’s able to juggle work and pageant duties through sheer time management and a little bit of luck.

“I make sure to attend all the scheduled activities and rehearsals on time, so I could make use of that opportunity to improve myself for the pageant,” says Mau, whose interests include food, travel, outdoor activities, volleyball and badminton.

“When there is no scheduled activity, I catch up with all my deliverables at work. I am just lucky to have supportive colleagues that allow me to work on a flexible schedule. Thus, what’s just left to be done is the time and energy management, which an Industrial Engineer is good at.”

How would Mau like to be remembered as? “I would like to be known as the beauty queen who also practices her profession, as the Cebuana who believes that hard work, grit, and perseverance are greater than talent, and the woman who is the living proof that even the simplest ones can dream and achieve big.”

If the stars align on coronation night and she ends up winning the Binibining Cebu crown, Mau says she would utilize her influence as a beauty queen to promote Cebu both domestically and globally.

“I will encourage Cebuanos, the rest of the Filipinos and the rest of the world to rediscover and experience the true beauty of Cebu. I will become the ambasadress that the Binibining Cebu is aiming to have and be the Cebuana who exemplifies beauty, heart, and humility.”

She adds, “As for the prize money that comes with winning the crown, I will give some to the church, to Argao, and to my family. Then a big chunk of what’s left will be deposited in the bank. The remaining cash would be spent as capital for a small business.”

A true-blue Argaoanon, Mau believes her hometown is special because “it is a place that can feel like home and can provide comfort to anyone who visits. The delicacies, the culture, the nature, and most especially the friendly Argaoanons can definitely lighten up anyone’s mood. In addition, we are also home to the one and only traditional weaving industry in Cebu, which is the hablon. This is unique to Argao, and this is our pride.”  (FREEMAN)