BAGUIO CITY – Ibinahagi ng athlete-beauty queen na si Miss Philippines Air 2019 Ana Monica Tan ang kanyang naging unforgettable experience bilang isa sa mga elemental queens ng Miss Philippines Earth.
Sa exclusive interview ng Star FM Baguio sa 24-year-old beauty queen mula sa Misamis Oriental, inamin nito na wala sa kanyang plano ang pagiging pageant title-holder.
Sa kwento ng dalaga na isang taekwondo athlete, dati ay ang focus umano nito ay nasa iba’t ibang local and national sports competition.
Sinabi rin naman ni Ana na ang pagiging beauty queen ay pangarap talaga ng kanyang ina.
“It has been such a surprise. Being a beauty queen is actually my mother’s dream. Before joining beauty pageants, I was actually an athlete. I was a taekwondo athlete. I played for our region, Region 10, in the [Palarong Pambansa]. I’ve always thought of myself to grow up and even go to college playing my sport. I never would have thought that I would go to a different reaction. Going into pageantry was such a huge surprise, not only for me, but for the people who actually know me. Even putting on lipstick wasn’t something I knew how to do.”
Masaya naman ito dahil sa oportunidad na ibinigay ng organisasyon para maging inspirasyon sa marami, at para maipagpatuloy pa ang kanyang nasimulang adbokasiya sa environmental health.
“I have been pursuing my advocacy which is focused on environmental health. I’ve started in 2015, wherein I would go to beneficiaries and would teach about the basics of proper hygiene, taking care of yourself, eating right, and also, incorporating the environment and how it affects our own health. Joining this pageant has given me an opportunity to really expand this advocacy and to reach other places here in the Philippines.”
Samantala, inilahad rin nito ang naging mainit na pagsuporta sa kanya ng kanyang mga kababayan sa Misamis Oriental, simula pa lamang ng siya ay nagwagi bilang Miss Kuyamis 2018.
Hindi umano nito naramdaman na nag-iisa siya sa kanyang journey sa pag-abot sa minimithing korona.
“When you win Miss Kuyamis, that is the time they would actually give you an all-out support. It’s 110% support. I’m very thankful with my team, my family and to everyone who supported me. I never felt alone in my battle for the crown. Though there were difficult times, but I really knew that there were people who were backing me up. The support of Misamis Oriental and the people have really played a part in me getting the crown.”
Inamin rin naman nito na isa sa tunay niyang hindi makakalimutan bilang Miss Philippines-Air ay ang mga kaibigang nakilala niya dahil dito.
Ayon sa dalaga, malaki ang pasasalamat niya sa kanyang mga “Earth sisters” na sina Miss Philippines Earth Janelle Tee, Miss Philippines Water Chelsea Fernandez, Miss Philippines Fire Alexandra Dayrit at Miss Philippines Earth Eco-Tourism Karen Nicole Piccio.
“Winning this crown has given me a lot of opportunities. It has also given me friendship. We live in the same roof, the five of us. The moments that matter to me are those with the five of us, talking, connecting with each other, and being able to bond. That’s something that I will treasure my whole life. We’re gonna be going home to our own provinces after this.”
Ngayong palapit na ang virtual coronation night ng Miss Philippines Earth 2020, inamin ng beauty queen na “very competitive” ang mga pinakabagong kandidatang lumalaban sa kompetisyon.
“They are very competitive. They made their own stages. The effort that they put into it is amazing. They really deserve the commendation that we give them.”
Nagbigay rin naman ang pageant title-holder ng kanyang opinion sa pagiging virtual ng pageant.
Inihayag nito na kahit noong una ay nalungkot siya sa desisyon ng organisasyon, ay mas naiintindihan na niya ngayon ang kahalagahan ng pagsasagawa ng kompetisyon sa gitna ng pandemya.
“At first, I really thought, ‘Why are they pushing the pageant when we are in a pandemic and we are all really busy and we have other priorities?’ Then I thought, now is the best time to actually push the pageant because Miss Philippines Earth is a very advocacy-driven pageant. Not only us queens, the candidates can really exercise their right to advocate what they believe in. I believe that the virtual pageant really has a big impact to people. One thing I was really sad about that it was going to be a virtual pageant is that I won’t be able to see my four sisters. I really, really miss them.”
Mensahe naman ni Ana sa mga candidates ng pageant, hindi dapat maging hadlang ang krisis na kinakaharap ng mundo para maging masaya at maabot ang mga pangarap.
“Even in this pandemic, live your life and you should enjoy the little.”
Ibinahagi rin ng Misamis Oriental beauty na balak niyang ipagpatuloy ang kanyang pag-aaral kapag naipasa na niya ang kanyang korona.
“Before entering the pageant, I was actually in medical school. I was on my second year. I had to leave for one year because I won a crown. This school year, hopefully, if they will open, I’m going to be a third year medical student na. I really hope to graduate na.”
Inamin rin nito na dahil sa kanyang korona, nabago ang lahat ng kanyang plano sa buhay.
Wala naman rin itong pinagsisisihan at naniniwala siya na ito ay plano ng Diyos para sa kanya.
“Miss Philippines Earth has really changed all my plans in life. I’m that type of person that would really look forward to what I do and for my own future. Winning a crown, I thought, ‘Is this a blessing or is this something that would hinder me from becoming a doctor?’ I realized that there really is a greater purpose. Anyway, here I am. God’s plan is always so much bigger. Hopefully, I have given my maximal impact to the Philippines.”
