Miss Mandaue 2019 candidate reveals she is a rape survivor

CEBU, Philippines — Known to be the longest-running pageant in Cebu, Miss Mandaue makes it a point to choose its candidates carefully, taking into account not only their beauty but also looking for a woman with a voice, someone intelligent, willing to speak out and act on her choices.

The Miss Mandaue Media’s Choice Competition is among the search’s pre-pageant events, designed to bring out the ladies’ communication skills. This is also an opportunity to share their opinions and advocacies.

Miss Mandaue 2019 hopeful Charlotte Madeleine Stuck, an 18-year-old French-Filipina, announced in her self-introduction during the Media’s Choice Competition held April 24 at Maayo Hotel that her advocacy is serving justice for rape victims.

Later on while answering a question, she caught the audience off-guard when she revealed to being a rape survivor – something she has publicly spoken about only recently.

When asked about their first course of action when crowned Miss Mandaue, Stuck was among those who stepped forward to answer. She began by saying that she wanted to have projects centered on giving proper care and support to sexual harassment victims, after which she let out her bombshell.

Stuck said that pageants are no longer venues for women to compete, but platforms for them to share their advocacy, stories, and ideas of helping the community.

“I want to use this perfect platform to use my voice and raise awareness about my advocacy. I just came out as a rape survivor. And I want to be able to use my experience and help others. Right after the coronation, I want to put up projects and talks for people who have gone through that trauma.”

She continued, “My experience really affected me emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually but I regained my confidence because of good friends, supportive and caring family, and a strong connection to God. After that, I came out of the shadows and regained all the confidence I needed to be here, standing in front of you, ready to be your next Miss Mandaue.”

In an interview after the Media’s Choice and Swimsuit Competitions, Stuck shared that her first time sharing her story was during the Miss Mandaue screening.

“It really gave me the confidence. It really made me feel like I don’t need to hide anymore,” she said. “I’m strong and I can handle this, and I can do things the other girls can’t. I have to be a good example, a role model for a person who has been through what I have.”

She added that a lot of people strongly discouraged her from sharing her story.

“That’s going to be my personal problem if people think of me like that. I’d rather be open about it rather than hide myself from the truth, then I’d be in denial again of what happened because it traumatized me,” she explained.

Another factor that urged Stuck to speak out was the brutal slaying of teenager Christine Silawan in Lapu-Lapu City which sparked national outcry. Upon hearing of the crime, Stuck said that she broke down in tears.

Since then she made it a point to use her voice for the sake of those who didn’t get to use theirs, knowing that there are also countless others who have been through similar situations.

“That pushed me to make a mark, a sign. Something big enough for people to notice that I’m trying to make a change. I also want to be the kind of person people can talk to, to hear their silent screams because I know I was one of those. I want to be able to find those who are in need of attention,” said Stuck, pressing the importance of a good and steady support system for rape survivors and sexual harrasment victims.

As for her own justice, Stuck said she was able to gain closure by speaking with her perpetrator.

Miss Mandaue is her first foray into pageantry. When her name was called as Media’s Choice second runner-up, Stuck became emotional on stage.

“I cried because I didn’t really expect to win anything at all. This is my first pageant and I wasn’t sure if I was saying the right words of having the right hand movements and gestures. It was really shocking. Even if it’s second runner-up, it’s a big thing to me. This is still one of the biggest things I’ve ever achieved in my life and I didn’t expect it. And I’m really happy.”

Born in Indonesia, Stuck lived for a while in France before settling down in Cebu.

Currently a home-schooled Grade 11 GAS student, she revealed having had trouble asking simple questions, getting directions, ordering off a menu and going to the restroom alone because of the rape trauma. She also felt that she did not fit in all the schools she attended.

A gymnast and an aspiring lawyer, she finds joining Miss Mandaue as a good way of gaining experience, confidence and growth.

“I need to be able to connect because I used to be really anti-social. I had zero friends. I was always the underdog in school,” shared Stuck.

“After a few traumatizing events, I hit rock bottom so hard but it made me realize that the only direction you can go from rock bottom is up. And so I want to push myself better and be more open. Now I’m capable of doing things I never knew I could do and I’m able to push through all the insecurity and self-consciousness. Now I’m here.”

Stuck is among the 16 candidates of Miss Mandaue 2019: The Gold Edition. Coronation night is on May 7 at the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex.