Have you ever tried walking in high heels, saying softly to yourself, “Kinsi diyes”?
If you did (or just did after reading that first line), then you have just done a tried and tested technique of beauty pageant candidates. After all, candidates have to smile while strutting, waving, sitting, posing, waiting for the results, and even while talking! “Kinsi diyes” in its mantra-like state is probably the only thing that saves their cheeks from going into spasms onstage.
Or at least that’s what my friend told me.
Another friend could recall all memorable pageant quotes, with his favorite coming from Miss International 1979 Melanie Marquez when asked what her best asset is, “I’m contented with my long-legged.” And I think he mentioned someone saying February 22th (pronounced twenty-two-th) too. Que horror!
These smiling “Kinsi diyes”-ing contenders cannot only be found in the national and international stages of Miss Earth, Binibining Pilipinas, Miss Universe, Miss International and Miss World.
There are also reigning beauty queens of the bulilits, the campus intramurals, bikini bodies, gays in Barangay Cambagroy, or even the entrepreneur-moms of
With the Miss Universe 2008 pageant aired earlier this week at ABS-CBN and Studio 23, the Pinoy’s love affair with beauty pageants continue.
So why all this fascination with knowing who’s crowned the fairest of them all? Why the never-ending debate at the cafeteria, the bets amongst the family who will win, the YouTube videos of embarrassing answers?
- Hinawayon ra gyud ta.
The first reason is the most honest of all the whys. Being particularly observant as a people has turned beauty pageants into a sport of sorts to those who love to gawk, observe, comment, scrutinize and judge. From how a pageant contestant walks, to her evening gowns, to her rendition of “Killing me softly”, it’s all taken note of to be retold to others in tomorrow’s conversations.
Answers like, “Well, my family’s role for me is so important b’coz there was the wa- they’re, they was the one who’s… very… Hahahaha… Oh I’m so sorry,” no matter how cruel to repeat, are principally the main reason why Pinoys make beauty pageants the talk of the town.
It’s gleefully liberating to despair over ugly evening gowns, debate over who has the best skin and who gave the smartest answer, and wait, with bated breath, who will trip or fall in high heels. Even Manang Fish Vendor feels more in control of life since she hasn’t tripped, hasn’t made a grammatical error and hasn’t forced herself into a small pink satin gown for the entire barangay to see.
- Pinoys admire the beautiful.
Once the winner is named though, the average Juan or Juana sets aside the pageant jokes and candidate malapropisms, and simply admire the one who made it to the top.
Haven’t you noticed how in local reality shows like Pinoy Big Brother labels like “beauty queen” are put in, and the image of someone pretty, smart and confident immediately comes to mind? The same “beauty queen stereotype” can also be seen in how proud parents introduce their pageant winner daughters.
In show business too, former pageant winners can be seen on the small screen. Miss Internationals Precious Lara Quigaman (2005) and Mimilanie Marquez (1979) are examples, as well as household names Miss Universe Margarita Moran (1973) and Gloria Diaz (1969).
Even Ruffa Gutierrez and Charlene Gonzales were elevated to show business after joining international beauty pageants. It’s as if the television networks know how much the masa will adore them.
- Support to the home team.
Last but not the least is the support. From stage moms to overzealous friends, college bands to front-page photos, and soliciting for the community pageant donation to corporate sponsors, Pinoys watch beauty pageants because they have something personal at stake.
This can be seen in how you might probably have watched the Miss Universe a few days ago, looking valiantly for Miss Philippines Jennifer Barrientos among 79 other sashaying beauties. Or in how you energetically discuss a close friend’s chances of winning the 62nd Miss Silliman.
All in all, beauty pageants and the hold they have over the Filipino’s psyche is a pretty interesting topic. The answers though will always be rooted in our traditional values: those of crab mentality (no sugarcoating here!), love of beauty, and sense of family no matter how far the extension goes.
That’s Pinoys for you. Leave them or love them in all their tiara-struck glory.
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