Photo credit: Magayon Festival Facebook Page
Mayhay na aga!
It’s another time of the year!
Summer is almost here and of course the most exciting event of the season in Albay, the annual Magayon Festival. I remember those days when I always feel excited checking the latest update about this month-long colorful festival, and saving it to my calendar.
Celebrating our culture and tradition is always fun and makes us all proud Albayano. Each town highlights its best-of-the-best, in a long street dance parade, amazing foods, free exhibits and night entertainment, and of course searching for the next Daragang Magayon Queen.
Ahh everyone is so excited!
Daragang Magayon pageant isn’t just about beauty and brains. As I personally witness this kind of event during my years of living in Albay, I learned that being “the chosen one” to represent your town is a huge honour, not only for yourself, including your family, your town, and your future.
But kidding aside, who will not feel excited seeing these beautiful maiden proudly representing their towns wearing the best fashions you’ve ever seen.
Actually, that is the only reason why I love watching beauty pageants – the pageant fashion is hard to miss.
So how to win the beauty pageant? How to be the next Daragang Magayon Queen?!
Photo credit: Magayon Festival Facebook Page
Here are some of the tips that I have learned through the years of watching and observing the pageants. I lay down the 75 specific guide so you can digest it well:
1. While on stage, hold your head high and pretend that crown's already on your head.
2. Scan the judges, scan the audience, then once again, scan the judges.
3. If you find it difficult to look the judges in the eyes, look at their foreheads.
4. Remember - it isn't the most talented girl who wins the talent competition. It's who has the best stage presence.
5. Don't compare yourself to other girls, because you're only being judged on you.
6. You don't need to spend thousands of pesos to get a pageant winning dress. Search on Lazada or your local mall for sales (or borrow from your former pageant bestie!). If it is elegant, sparkles on stage, and it makes you feel like a queen, then it could be your winning gown.
7. Swimsuit isn't about who is the hottest girl on the stage. It is about who has the most confidence walking out on a stage in what can feel like underwear.
8. If at first you don't succeed, try again. Most pageant winners have competed before, often many times, Think about Pia Wutzbach!
9. It is good to exercise and eat well before a pageant, but there is no need to starve yourself because no matter what your size, your confidence and poise is what will take you on to the next stage of competition.
10. Be true to yourself. The judges want to see girls who are real, not the ones who sound rehearsed.
11. Practice, practice, practice. The more you practice, the more prepared you are, and the better you'll do.
12. Perform your talent for as many people as you can. The more advice you can get, the better your performance will be.
13. Choose a platform that really means something to you, not just something you think will impress the judges.
14. Know your current events and important issues that are being discussed in the news (Global warming, animal cruelty, global discrimination, health issues, poverty alleviation, AIDs, you name it!).
15. Even if you don't get the crown, you're a winner just for competing so if you don't win, don't feel like a loser.
16. Every girl has a little "junk in the trunk". If you jiggle, don't worry about it. Even the skinniest girls have a little jiggle room back there.
17. Cover any and all tattoos and remove any piercings other than the two holes in your ear. You aren't supposed to be judged on such things, but unfortunately, some people will. Sure, those people might be stupid but there's nothing you can do about it.
18. You don't need to hire some expensive pageant coach to win. Anyone can do the same job, and with a little reading and some research, you can learn all you need to know about pageants.
19. Read up on some famous title holders, like Catriona Gray, etc.
20. On-stage question is not as tough as it might seem. Often times, the stage lights are so bright that you can't see the audience anyway. So, just pretend they aren't even there.
21. If you don't feel confident on stage, try to get some friends and family to be your "cheering section". This will definitely give you a confidence boost while on stage.
22. The interview isn't an interrogation, but rather a conversation where the judges can get to know you better.
23. Don't be afraid to ask questions in the interview if you don't understand. The judges will be glad to clarify for you.
24. Never portray yourself in a negative light in any part of the competition. You want to be confident, not self-depreciating.
25. Make sure your talent is not too long. If you have to change it the day before the competition, you might not perform very well.
26. Form opinions on EVERYTHING, from your opinion on the death penalty to what your favorite color is.
27. Use the bathroom before the interview and before the show. Trust me, you'll appreciate it.
28. Keep your clothes organized and hung up so you can find things and they remain unwrinkled. When you have to change fast you won't be stressing out about where you put your strapless bra or that your suit is wrinkled.
29. Don't drink any carbonated drinks on competition day to prevent bloating.
30. Always maintain excellent posture. Shoulders back, chin parallel to the ground, and back straight, whether you're sitting or standing.
31. Keep your walk slow and elegant during evening gown. Remember, it's at this point the judges will be able to see who that crown will fit on best.
32. Search online for a good "pageant hairstyle". NO PROM UPDOS! They just don't work.
33. Don't fuss with tons of jewelry. A large pair of rhinestone earrings can be all you'll need.
34. Make sure your gown fits perfectly. This, sometimes, means waiting until a month or two before competition to buy it because if you lose or gain weight in the meantime, it may not fit right and you don't want to find that out two weeks beforehand.
35. You don't need to spend hundreds of dollars for a "pageant swimsuit", either. Stick with solid colors that complement your skin tone and hair color. Something that has a touch of sparkle to it will look great.
36. Your evening gown shouldn't look too much like your typical high school prom dress.
37. Talk to the current title holder about what she does to prepare for competition. She has already done it, and so, she's bound to have some excellent pointers for you.
38. Don't do a pageant just because someone else wants you to. You won't win and you won't be happy. You have to want it.
39. Don't spend thousands on cosmetic dentistry. Get some teeth whitening strips if that will make your smile more confident. If you're worried about the appearance of your teeth, see an orthodontist. Braces aren't all that bad and you'll be happy you had them because your mouth will be prettier and healthier.
Photo credit: Magayon Festival Facebook Page
40. Never get yourself down because you think the other girls are "better" or "prettier". We're all more critical of ourselves.
41. Afraid to go to the beach in your swimsuit? Probably not. So why is the stage any different? Those heels are just like sandals, and at least on stage, you can wear some sort of body makeup, boob pads, and butt glue.
42. Make friends with other girls. Don't be catty or talk behind backs. Miss Congeniality is an even more honorable title.
43. Don't stay out late the night before the pageant. Dark circles under your eyes can only be covered up to a certain extent.
44. If and when you win, you are representing a group of people. Be a good representative and don't do anything you might regret later or that might force the pageant to strip you of your title.
45. 99.9% of your interview will probably be based on your fact sheet. Just FYI.
46. Even though most of your interview will be based on your fact sheet, still be aware of your current events just in case they pop one of those questions on you. Don't know what's going on in the world most of the time? Then fill up that fact sheet so they've got more things to ask you.
47. Keep your answers short and concise. If you're asked, "Do you take criticism well?", don't answer with a one minute speech about the time when you were criticized and it made you feel bad. No one word answers, though. The more questions the judges can ask you, the more they get to know you, and the better you'll do.
48. Don't be afraid to make the judges laugh a little! Sharing something humorous will lighten the mood and make them feel more comfortable.
49. The judges are often just as nervous as you are, or even more so. They have a huge decision to make that could change the lives of the girls competing.
Photo credit: Magayon Festival Facebook Page
50. Still feeling nervous? Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Deep breathing relaxes the body. Another thing you might try is listening to your favorite song or watching an episode of your favorite comedy on your smartphone beforehand.
51. Only tell a story if it is relevant and doesn't take too long to tell. Remember, you've only got a matter of minutes for these judges to get to know you.
52. Read books that are geared towards people looking to improve your job interview skills. A pageant is just like a job interview. You are being interviewed for the job of Miss Daragang Magayon.
53. Have your friends and family pop interview questions on you. The more practice, the better.
54. Is there a local title you really want to win but don't have much experience? Try entering an open pageant (one in which anyone in the state can enter). The competition will be MUCH tougher and it will give you some valuable experience. The girls competing may be quite experienced, and can give you plenty of advice.
55. You don't need to be 5'9", half-breed, and have a white gown to win. You can win no matter what your size, shape, color, or social status is. The judges don't know how much money you have or if that's really your natural hair color or not.
56. Make sure you have tons of fun! If you aren't having fun, maybe this pageant thing isn't for you. It shouldn't seem like a chore. You should enjoy it.
57. While working on your platform, make sure you know the names of organizations that are somehow connected that you can get into contact with. If you've got such connections it'll be very impressive to the judges.
58. Search any news site for current events relating to your platform. If your platform is cancer, and someone very famous died of cancer last week, you might want to know this. If your platform is AIDS and they've discovered a new treatment a couple of days ago and if you can include that in the interview, it'll wow them.
59. The competition is a performance! Put on a good show. You want to entertain as well as impress.
60. You should use some sunless tanner to get some color in your skin if you're very pale. The color accentuates your muscle tone and makes you appear to be thinner.
61. Use a shimmer lotion on the front of your legs and your arms for a slimming effect.
62. If you want to know how you're doing, ask the pageant directors. Hopefully they'll be honest with you.
63. I know it's ridiculous, but... "BE THE CROWN! You ARE the crown!"
64. Wear heels everywhere. It'll help your walk immensely.
65. Pump iron. Weight training along with cardio will keep you toned and burn more fat. If you're in good shape, you'll be more confident.
66. Remember that often times, the judges are at foot level. Have a nice, neat pedicure.
67. Use a light pink polish if you are unsure as to what color to use. It looks classy and goes with everything.
68. Keep double stick tape and super glue in your dressing room. You never know when it'll come in handy.
69. Your talent costume should be comfortable but also a little flashy. In the pageant world, a little sparkle here and there (or a lot of sparkle, whichever you like best) goes a long way.
70. Fake eyelashes are great for the stage, but don't wear them in the interview. The interview is a much more professional setting so wear a nice suit, small earrings, and little makeup. Your makeup should be just as much as you might wear on an average day.
71. Don't scoff at first runner-up. First runner-up means you beat out everyone else except one, and that's nothing to cry about!
72. If you make a mistake, try to act like it never happened. The audience may not notice and if the judges notice, but see how quickly you can pick up your composure quickly, afterwards they might be impressed.
73. Be on time. There is no such thing as fashionably late in the pageant world.
74. Not everyone is as nice as they appear. Be nice to everyone during the pageant and if someone turns on you don't seek revenge. No matter what, always strive to be Miss Congeniality. It will take you far not only in pageants but also in life.
75. Don't change anything during pageant week. Make all your final wardrobe decisions beforehand and you'll feel prepared and confident!
OMG that’s a lot!
Photo credit: Magayon Festival Facebook Page
Beauty queens are not made overnight. They are the women who are discovered and recognized for things they have done and what they wish to make our of their lives.
Last, but most certainly not least, have fun, and live those moments to the fullest.
Until next time!
Bicol Girl
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