Beauty contestants are athletes, too!

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

NOT so many people know that beauty contestants who join any kind of beauty pageant purposely shape their curvaceous figures by involving themselves in physical activities, particularly in sports like zumba, aerobics, running, bicycling, dancing, skating, taekwondo, karate, to name some. Let’s take the case of our newly crowned Miss Universe Catriona Gray who says her favorite sport is karate. That surely helped her achieve a curvaceous body to complement her obvious intellect, a rare combination that propelled her to win the coveted tiara. She’s our fourth winner in the history of the 67-year-old Miss Universe beauty pageant after Gloria Diaz in 1969, Margie Moran in 1973 and Pia Wurtzbach in 2015. Some say, the 24-year-old Gray from Oas, Albay, is our most beautiful winner among our four. Probably, but hard to compare and we should not. What I am certain about is that our four queens were like ultimate goddesses that moved heavens.

Not so many people also know that Gray first represented our country in 2016 Miss World beauty pageant held in US. And despite being the top favorite (then) to win the headdress according to the experts, she just landed fourth in that edition won by Puerto Rican lass Stephanie del Valle. Many connoisseurs say Gray was robbed of the crown.

But after two years, the determined and athletic Cairns, Australia-born Gray persevered and decided to give it another shot. With her mother’s full support, she opted to compete this time in the most prestigious and pioneer world beauty pageant, the Miss Universe. With luck from above, she finally realized her long time dream last December 17 after two tries in two different pageants.

Yes, we still have not won a gold medal in Olympic Games since we joined in 1932.  Our best were just two silvers, compliments of our boxers in Tokyo 1964 and Georgia 1996. But remember, Miss Universe is considered the Olympic Game of beauties and we already have four. And after Gray’s feat, our country is now ranked fourth (out of 94 states) in the roster of nations with the most number of Miss Universe wins after US with eight, Venezuela with seven and Puerto Rico with five. I guess more to come soon. Undeniably, Filipinas are really beautiful and intelligent. Yes, the four had shown it to the world.

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My big congrats to all the winners of the cycling event that I organized on my birthday that was conducted in a ‘hotdog criterium’ way in my village, Buenlag, Mangaldan. Dubbed as “Golden 73 – A Gift For Long Life by Excellent Noodles.” Also known as “Jess Garcia, Jr. Cycling Classic,” the bikefest was run in three categories. David Jugo of San Fabian, Elpidio Untalan of Manila and Alejandro Daoatin of Urbiztondo occupied the first three, respectively.  In the opening race, grandmaster division. Manileño Joel Balucos topped the veteran-master class with Mangaldan pride Adrian Malanum landing second. Surprisingly, our main sponsor Excellent Noodles proprietor Alex Billan finished strong third.

National team member Dominic Perez of Sto. Tomas, Pangasinan outsprinted the main bunch of 42 to win the open category with Dennis Cabaldon of San Manuel, Pangasinan and Efren Reyes of Dagupan City checking in third.

Cash prizes, trophies and medals were awarded to the top ten winners. My big thanks also to Engr. Rodolfo “Boy” Dion and the Mangaldan PNP station headed by Supt. Jay B. Baybayan for assisting to make the occasion a huge success!

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK:Four unto us a child is born, unto us a child is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ISAIAH 9: 6

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