Thought we’ve seen the end of Miss Burden’s mischiefs. More like they’ve only just begun.

Good on you, Miss Burden! Give those lazybones real good kicks on their butts. So, they’ll reform the pageant. Transform it into a fragment of real (not perceived) beauty in Cebu’s frontier.

Oh, really love to tame that spoiled brat! Starve her and that freak’ll galvanize into a stunning beauty. A tornado and a hurricane all wrapped into one. No doubt about it.

Indeed, that naughty face is very provocative. Have that irresistible urge to perform a ritual on her that’ll, shall we say, exorcise her ego. That’d be my greatest pleasure.

It’ll be the most humiliating experience in her life. But I’m sure she’ll enjoy it. Just for the taste of it.

Do it like a wild beast. Correction. As a wild beast. Must admit when it comes to that, I’m a wild beast. Yes, it’ll be beauty and the beast.

No worries. I’m only uglier than King Kong. Ugly is in the eyes of the beholder, don’t you agree? And speaking of King Kong, didn’t that lovely lass he carried fall in love with him?

Hope she won’t wrestle me, though. Otherwise, I’ll have to run for my life.

Guess the mayor’s paying a high price for calling her Miss Cellphone. Perhaps, he never heard the saying, “I’d rather face the mouth of a hungry lion, than face the mouth of an angry woman”.

Looking at the positive side, it’s become a stimulus for her to “fight” the system. Frees his team to devote more time to more pressing matters. Smart move.

Shouldn’t be his team’s job, anyway. Just an escape for them, then, while the mayor’s away.

In fairness to Miss Burden, I do believe in the saying,
“You only live once,
and life’s too short.
Take time to do mischiefs,
otherwise, life’s isn’t worth living.”

Just doing a “post-mortem”. Or, you could say, just being a pain in the …..

Don’t think this has anything to do with justice or fairness. More inclined to believe seeking revenge. Not due to wrong done. But due to being outwitted.

Considering a possible scenario …..

On one hand, can’t understand how one, with a wrestler’s body, garnered such an overwhelming number of votes.

On other hand, to say “honest mistake” is a cute excuse. Unless, perhaps, a last moment giant leap in vote count. Further makes sense when one considers why no apology was made.

Besides, that catapult to fame was too good to be true. More like being groomed. Her stage presentation was too spectacular relative to the others. For a first timer, …..

Nothing wrong in grooming one with potential. But, certainly, won’t discount the possibility of favoritism.

Not uncommon for two well-connected families to rival each other for prestige, honour, fame, glory, etc. And, of course, the almighty peso. Lots of it. Won’t be surprised if, one day, ‘Kris Tiffany Janson’ labels will be on expensive fashion gowns, swimsuits, etc. Expensive because of the label. Her pic will be on product ads, etc. This list could go on and on.

Nothing wrong with that, though. Nothing wrong with earning as much as one can. Do admire Miss Janson. She’s smart, hardworking, and ambitious. Sure to go far.

Understand now why Miss Burden is only too unhappy not to win the crown?

But that isn’t the point. The ultimate question, simply, is whether all candidates were given EQUAL opportunity to win the crown.

Setting aside the event, I’d say Miss Gomez is the loveliest of them all.

As Pres. Obama said, “… — and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous. The success of our economy has always depended …; on our ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart — not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.”, “For the world has changed, and we must change with it”.

Believe it’d be in Cebu’s best interests not to let Pres. Obama’s words fall into deaf ears.

MISS CEBU 2009: God’s Will and Kris’s Grace
By Ariel Allosada Allera

Despite controversies and all the hullabaloos Kris Tiffany Janson is beaming her reign as the 25th most beautiful lady Cebu has recently enthroned. To date, the 19-year-old Management Accounting Carolinian has been wearing her illustrious crown as gracefully as she made a stride towards her crowning moment during the Miss Cebu 2009 Search a few weeks ago.

“What an experience it has been. I’m still quite surprised at the thought of being Miss Cebu, since I never ever dreamed of joining a beauty contest, although my grandmother used to tell me as a little girl that I should be a beauty queen when I grow up,” Kris recalls.

Prior to the pageant, Kris admitted to not being inclined to pivoting on the world of pageants, although her sweeping background in modelling would have triggered the decision to give it a shot. She thought, should she join the prestigious Miss Cebu, she might as well make up her mind for the next year’s search. She discloses, “Some inner voice was telling me that it’s God’s will for me to join, that it’s going to be the right time, that I should go out there and encourage others by my example to believe in themselves.”

Divine intervention, that is.

True to her word, the first-time candidate shone on the pageant night, and eventually outshone the seasoned some. “I couldn’t believe my confidence while I was on stage, but I knew that God was taking charge of every moment, because I was in a state of grace. All along I never doubted His power to help me cast my fears aside,” the God-fearing Cebuana beauty testifies to her faith.

Kris may be classified as Cebu’s most bankable print-ad model, as well as one of the city’s most favorite runway mannequins, but then she’s not one to vaunt her feats. A member of a devout Catholic family and a student of a train of Catholic learning institutes from grade school to college (viz: St. Benedict Childhood Education Centre, Sacred Heart School-Jesuits, De La Salle University, University of San Carlos), it will just be a piece of cake to tell that Kris has breeding, her faith in God is firm, and her humility is such that she’s one to keep a low profile no matter how many billboards she’s on, or how many times people have seen her in glossies, or the many prominent runways she’s catwalked on.

During the “L’Amore Bridal Fashion Show” one weekend, the 2009 Miss Cebu Kate Mossed the Style Lounge of ParkMall in the Reclamation Area, together with her colleagues at A.D. Models Philippines, donning the exquisite creations of Cebu’s top couturiers. Kris wowed the crowd as the latter oohed and aahed at the beauty queen and the supermodel wannabe who was strutting the venue in a Dexter Alazas.

“I enjoy modeling. My highest goal here is to become a Ford Supermodel, like my fellow A.D. model Verns Buckley who was blessed enough to penetrate the international scene. In the meantime, I want to concentrate on my responsibilities as Miss Cebu 2009, which I’m enjoying a lot. I would like my reign to be uniquely enriching not only for me but also for every Cebuano,” Kris explains.

Hence, how would Kris Tiffany Janson like to be remembered amongst the 25 Miss Cebus? “Well, every one of us would’ve worn our respective crowns as beautifully as we would’ve lived up to our title uniquely,” she retorts graciously.

A Miss Cebu’s reign embodies a year-round itinerary of commitments, all for the good of Cebu and its people that proudly put Kris in the forefront as an emissary of goodwill. But as far as her personal crusade is concerned, the altruistic young lady shares, “My mentor Dexter Alazas and I are working on a campaign which we fondly call ‘Trash to Cash,’ wherein we’re going to turn scrap fabrics into dolls, design clothes to be made of fabric combinations and patchworks, recycle other alternative garments for livelihood. We’re going to talk the Clothes for Life Foundation into supporting us in this cause.”

“Trash to Cash” is aimed at putting into the public domain, particularly the Cebuano populace, its inspiring and feasible alternative to respond to the current global economic crisis which, apparently, is unravelling at great speed.

“I take it as part of my platform being Miss Cebu 2009 to somehow make a difference in the lives of everyone. As a model, this particular project is my way of reciprocating all the perks that I get in the fashion industry. And because we’re all affected by the international economic system, I believe it’s a good response. By the way, who says it’s impossible to remain stylish during times of economic harship? After all, it’s fun to be a recessionista,” the responsible yet sensible Cebuana justifies, as gracefully as she tunes in to that voice within her where she finds the divine confidence to live out her reign to the fullest. (laraduttallerariel@yahoo.com)

*****

Think it’s better for Miss Burden to rejoin the team. Renew the camaraderie. As Pres. Obama said, “… time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions — that time has surely passed”. Pick herself up. Dust herself off. And help the group in the work of remaking the pageant. Everybody knows synergism produces a greater result than the sum of individual ambitions. Interdependence better than independence.

“Never doubt that a small group of committed, thoughtful citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

Form a tag team with Miss Janson and “fight” the system. I mean, take out the dirty linens hidden in the cupboard, so to speak. So, those lazybones will wash them. Present a better pageant next time; a better tourist attraction; help Cebu’s ailing economy. Otherwise, history will repeat itself. Both of them know better than anybody else where those dirty linens are.

*****

On one hand, possibility that the vote was corrupted. And on other hand, possibility that the mistake was deliberate. Conspiracy vs counter-conspiracy. Nothing new really. Mankind’s been playing this type of game since the dawn of time.

In this game, both of them were the pawns. Later, the victims. So happened that one had a mighty queen lurking behind – protecting her. But the other was defenseless. They didn’t care about her. They didn’t even give her the courtesy of an apology. Absolutely pathetic. They were only protecting themselves – their own vested interests. Disgusting!

I don’t disagree that the last pageant was a great success inspite of the mistakes made. But there will always be room for improvement.

*****

Speaking of Miss Burden’s wrestler body, so obvious her vital statistics is way off. But can be corrected. I think due to lack of exercise and junk food. Her mom, being a doc, would know better. Being an ex-beauty candidate herself, her mom would have told her. Had Miss Burden done something about it, she’d be more shapely than Miss Janson.

As Pres. Obama said, “… greatness is never a given. It must be earned.”

The pageant has not been the path for the fainthearted — for those who prefer leisure over hard work. Rather, it is for the risk-takers, the ambitious. Risk defines life.

Guess, as one said, she’s just a spoiled brat. Does show on her face. In fact, she recently proved it. Wreaking havoc on the pageant.

But I think many men prefer spoiled brats. Remember Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew”? Must admit that that naughty face is very sexually appealing. Love to tame her.

In a way, think she’s tame now. Hopefully, we’ve seen the end of her mischiefs.

*****

All’s well that ends well. As Dr. Albert Einstein said, “Opening up yet another fragment in the frontier of beauty”.

Cebu is a frontier of beauty. But can only be appreciated from a distance. I believe it is an obligation for every overseas Cebuano to help, in any way he can, make Cebu a better place to live in.

As Pres. Obama said, “to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders”.

Indifference is a weapon of mass destruction. Get involved.

“Without tradition, our lives will be like the fiddler on the roof”. (from the movie “Fiddler on the Roof”)

Congratulation to Mayor Tomas Osmena for a job well done! Really a good skipper. The best to brave this stormy weather. Inspite of his ill-health and far from home, he’s still on his job. A dedicated leader. Another SHS-J alumnus his alma mater can be proud of.

If only there were many Cebuanos like him …..

All the best for him. Hope he’s now out of the woods. Think I should say the same for Miss Janson – in different situation.

Know what? Historically, no black has become USA president. Pres. Obama disproved this. No Jesuit alumnus/alumna has become Philippine president. One day, Miss Janson will disprove this.

Allow me to liven this up a little bit. Hope you won’t mind.

“i think the controversy had settled now.” So I heard. The mayor really gave his team a good kick in the butt, did he?

“One’s freak may be a masterpiece to another.” This isn’t the point. There are selection criteria, standards, etc. Otherwise, why hold a beauty pageant?

Speaking of Miss Burden’s wrestler body, so obvious her vital statistics is way off. But can be fixed. I think due to lack of exercise and junk food. Her mom, being a doc, would know better. Being an ex-beauty candidate herself, her mom would have told her. Had Miss Burden done something about it, she’d be more shapely than Miss Janson.

Guess, as one said, she’s just a spoiled brat. Does show on her face. In fact, she recently proved it. Wreaking havoc to the pageant.

But I think many men prefer spoiled brats. Remember Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew”? Must admit that that naughty face is very sexually appealing. Love to tame her.

“Cebu will survive with or without the beauty pageants.” This isn’t the point, either. Again, otherwise, why hold a beauty pageant?

Did Miss Burden rejoin the team? Think better she does. Form a tag team with Miss Janson and “fight” the system. I mean, take out the dirty linens hidden in the cupboard, so to speak. So, those lazybones will wash them. Improve the pageant. Otherwise, history will repeat itself. Both of them know better than anybody else where those dirty linens are. Just a suggestion only.

Finally, did they apologize to Miss Janson as well? Didn’t see it anywhere.

Thanks for your feedback. Always interested in them. If everybody agrees with me all the time, my life would be boring.

Have a nice day.

Cebu will survive with or without the beauty pageants.It’s just unfortunate that these things happened in such a prestigious pageant.

Whatever, I’m sure everybody’s not terribly in love with this controversy. Bad publicity. Bad for Cebu’s tourism business. Definitely, won’t help Cebu’s ailing economy. The economic downturn has a much greater impact on poor nations than on rich ones. So, when will this fighting end?

The attack is now against individuals. Not against the system. As such, it’s no longer after justice. It’s seeking revenge.

The pageant is not a perfect system. There’s always room for improvement. Bringing out its imperfections to help institute reforms is a brilliant idea. But personal vendetta is pitifully childish. Plain arrogance and selfishness. Most disgusting is withdrawing. No spirit of camaraderie. Satisfies her ego? Only humiliates her further.

As Pres. Obama said, “the time has come to set aside childish things”.

Yes, it’s now a mess. Why? Because someone, with a wrestler’s body (I didn’t say this), wants to be beauty queen. Had this happened, I’d still call Cebu paradise – a paradise of freak women. And I’d invite everybody to watch the next Cebu pageant – the greatest freak show on earth.

Guess you’re having a real baptism by fire. This is your first time, made it with an astounding success, and, now, confronted with countless controversies. But if you get through this, you’ll get through anything.

I’m one of the many observers from all over the world. You could say, we’re your newly acquired fans. We’re not interested in vote count or whatever politics behind the scene.

Also, as somebody pointed out in another site, they owe you an apology, too, for making the mistake. In effect, the apology was biased. Taking you for granted.

The consensus among us is that nobody deserves the crown better than you. Miss Burden is certainly a far cry from you. As someone put it: she has the body of a wrestler; not to mention badoy mag-ininglis. Miss Gomez is much closer to you.

If promoting tourism is the main objective of the pageant, then, paramount consideration should be given to our feedback. We are Cebu’s prospective tourists.

Besides, we’re the ones who packed up our few wordly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life. Sending money. Helping Cebu’s ailing economy.

The issues didn’t come to me as a surprise, though. Not unusual for one’s catapult to fame and glory to bring about envy and jealousy. Made one vulnerable to intrigue. Remember the mighty Julius Caesar? At a tender age, he attained power. What subsequently happened were conspiracy, and, eventually, assassination. Remember his last words? “Et tu, Brute”? So, be warned.

Just follow what your heart says and you will never be lost.

From,
A Distant Admirer

You’re endowed with such an awesome charismatic appearance. Venus personified. Goddess of Beauty.
Your stage presentation was absolutely spectacular and magnificent. Truly a wonderful performance. Really a giant leap for you.

You brought honour and glory to our beloved alma mater.

What will always be treasured deep in my heart is your answer.
No matter how far or how wide I roam,
I still call Cebu my home, my paradise.

Reminds me of T. S. Elliott’s “We shall not cease from exploration. But at the end of all our explorations, we will go back to where we started, only to know the place for the first time”.

When will I go back to live permanently in Cebu? Maybe this year. Maybe next year. Maybe never.

Yes, accepting reality. The life we lead is almost always not the one we want to live but the one we are forced to live in order to survive.

Vaya con Dios. Always remember that life’s a rollercoaster ride. Whatever happens, keep smiling. Life is just a joke. A comedy of errors.

From,
A Lonely Cebuano Drifter