The iconic Tingting Cojuangco (center) is flanked by Mister Pilipinas Worldwide Parañaque James Celeridad (left) and Miss Philippines Universe Jenny Kim Agasid. /ARMIN P. ADINA
Speak with your head, not just with your body. Thus philanthropist Margarita “Tingting” Cojuangco told budding beauty queens who are hoping to snag the crowns in international beauty pageants.
Cojuangco was one of the guests during the presentation of Parañaque City’s first official delegates to the Miss Universe Philippines pageant and Mister Pilipinas Worldwide contest held at Solaire Resort and Casino on Wednesday, Feb. 5.
The former Tarlac governor, who was twice recognized as one of the 100 most beautiful women the world by Harper’s Bazaar in the years 1966 and 1967, was invited to crown Jenny Kim Agasid and award the sash to James Celeridad, who will carry Parañaque City’s banner in the two national tilts this year.
Speaking to INQUIRER.net, Cojuangco said pageantry nowadays has evolved in the Philippines, and the women now, regardless of country, are smart when they answer questions. Thus, it is important that Filipino beauty queens keep up with their wit and grace.
“The girls now, regardless of country, are smart when they answer questions. They’re witty, and that’s important,” she said.
The socialite-politician further addressed beauty queens at a press conference that “the elegant Filipina, you acquire that through your years of learning what is valuable. It’s the brain transmitting it to the outlook of how you want to project yourself. Not being overly dressed, not being underdressed, but being proper.”
She added that beauty queens “should not just think about themselves.” As pageantry has evolved even in the Philippines to showcase the beauty of Filipino women, and also to raise funds for various causes, she said that they, too, must learn to be mindful of certain aspects of being a beauty queen.
“When you have a dress, it doesn’t mean to say you’ll be chosen because you have a nice dress. No, not at all. It’s how you carry your dress and how you speak. She has to entice someone, but not in a sensual mode, but more in an intelligent way,” she said.
“She has to know proper manners. She has to know who to greet and how to carry herself. Manners should always be perfected. Manners don’t die. They should be honed and remembered. It’s not a matter of looking cute, it’s a matter of looking pretty and relaxed, confident that way,” Cojuangco further told the audience.
But more than poise and elegance exhibited by beauty queens, their grasp of the current affairs of the country is of equal importance.
“Learn about the current issues, learn about what the country is. So when they’re in a platform of international women, they can speak with their head and not entirely with their body,” Cojuangco said.
Meanwhile, Agasid and Celeridad, both products of the Binibining at Ginoong Parañaque twin competitions, were chosen from a series of auditions. Candidates who previously carried the city in the national contests were not officially fielded by an accredited partner.
Both Agasid and Celeridad will head on to competitions deemed to be tough by many pageant observers. The rosters of Miss Universe Philippines and Mister Pilipinas contenders both include established names in Philippine pageantry.