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[av_heading heading=’‘Clumsy girl’ turned beauty queen’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’18’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY JONEL AMIO
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February 17, 2018
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Miss Paraw Regatta 2018 pushes for marine conservation
THE oldest sailing event in Asia has its new queen – the 18-year-old Keziah Bartolome of La Paz district, Iloilo City.
Bartolome was crowned as Miss Paraw Regatta 2018 on Thursday, Feb. 15, at the Diamond Jubilee Hall along Gen. Luna Street, Iloilo City.
At 18, Bartolome is no longer new to beauty pageants. Despite this, Bartolome told Panay News that she still struggles carrying herself on stage, like sustaining the perfect walk, posture and smile – the pageant essentials.
“On school days, you would see me as a clumsy girl with a terrible posture who always trips,” shares Bartolome, a grade 12 senior high school student of West Visayas State University.
On her journey to the crown, Bartolome says her bond with the other candidates made rehearsals and pre-pageant events less difficult.
“I enjoy hanging out with my fellow candidates. Not only did I get the crown but I also gained sisters,” she adds. “Even if we were all competitors, we would always cheer for each other.”
Bartolome says she “will always treasure the moments” she shared with the other ladies. “The ladies are hard to forget,” she stresses.
During the coronation night, Bartolome admits that she somehow lost hope in “slaying” the pageant.
“I didn’t expect that I would be in the top five knowing that I was the shortest of them all, I was sick, and I didn’t bag any minor awards,” she shares. “For me, it was [a] miracle. I only asked Him for guidance but He gave me more.”
Bartolome’s crowning moment was euphoric. She says, “When I was crowned Miss Paraw Regatta 2018, it felt like every problem that I carried on my shoulders was lifted up. All the doubts and insecurities were gone. I cried because my hardwork paid off.”
Being Miss Paraw Regatta is not only about the “beauty and brains”, though, according to Bartolome.
With this kind of mindset, she plans to spend her reign positively influencing people by mobilizing a campaign to conserve the marine ecosystem – her advocacy.
“Let us unite amid the waves of change,” Bartolome encourages Ilonggos.
Miss Paraw Regatta is one of the side events of the Iloilo Paraw Regatta Festival, now on its 46th year./PN
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