(Article first appeared on the April 10, 2013 (Wednesday) Issue of the Iloilo's The News Today Libre. )
Emily
Victoria Oke, Miss Dinagyang 2013, sends me a worried message wondering why I’m
running late for her interview. She explains humbly why she needs to finish on
time. I couldn’t blame her. She is leaving early the next day for Manila to
prepare for the Miss Aliwan 2013 pageant where she will be representing Iloilo
and the Dinagyang Festival. When I finally see her in the airy exterior of a café
in Plazuela, she didn’t look worried at all. In her pink dress, she looked
dazzling. We haven’t seen each other for only a few months but I could already
feel how much she has grown.
I’ve
known Victoria for about ten years now. We were classmates in elementary and I
would always see her rise above the rest. Apart from inborn intelligence, it
was her diligence that set her apart. When we review together for quiz bees, it
was her own desire to learn more that showed clearly, earning the respect and
admiration of our teachers.
I tell
Victoria that if she is more comfortable, she can speak in Hiligaynon for the
interview but she immediately denies the offer. She would rather speak in
English saying it will help her prepare for her upcoming pageant. I knew she
was serious about getting ready for the event. This is something everyone
should know about her: she takes every opportunity to prepare herself.
Curiously,
I ask when she began to get interested in pageants. “I don’t really know when I decided to join pageants but I remember when
I was a little girl, my brother joined a couple of man searches too. It was
seeing a group of women parade with him on stage, seeing them so empowered that
made me want to join pageants myself. We all know that before, women are
regarded as second-class citizens. The pageants give women an opportunity to be
seen as strong and powerful.”
Victoria
is thankful that the Dinagyang Festival where she won her crown is just two
months early of the Aliwan Festival. “The
lessons I have learned are still fresh in me but I continue to prepare
especially reading to expand my vocabulary in order to be ready for the
competition.”
 |
| Victoria strikes a friendly pose after our interview. |
Although
Victoria doesn’t deny that stereotyping is still eminent in local pageants
where the “lighter” candidates are commonly favored, she is sure that pageants
are not just for what lies on the outside. “You
always want people to say, ‘Oh she has an advocacy, she has substance, she is
an empowered woman.’” Her coach Mr. Joury would always tell her that
pageants are battlefields; “I must come
in full gear to remember that every move is an opportunity for criticism.” Instead
of fear, she uses this as reason to work harder.
Her
biggest inspiration is her kind. It is, according to her, a responsibility to
inspire other women. “I look up to Tyra
Banks because she advocates empowering girls and women”. Her main goal is “women empowerment, for women to know their
potentials and God’s perfect plan for them”. A modern woman for her is
strong, and present achievements by women inspire her. “I would like for women to gain a common ground, a strong web of
support, and the complete abolishment of discrimination.”
“God is the center of my universe. I am proud
of this trait of mine where I raise all my victories to God.” She reads the
Bible, and that’s why she knows that God loves her and she wants people to see
her as a testimony of His love. When we were children, she would proudly
declare how her mother kept a lock of her hair in the pages of the Bible.
Superstition or otherwise, Victoria turned out to be as smart as she is
faithful.
When I
asked her how a pageant candidate can represent Iloilo, she confidently
answered that Iloilo is her home and Iloilo is where she comes from. “Iloilo is my home, is my heritage and it is
who I am.” She also cites the importance
of culture in progress. “Our culture
plays a big part in our decisions.”
Unavoidably,
the interview returns to a friendly chat and she laughs saying, “This is good. I get to practice my interview
skills!” I oblige by asking her what questions she thinks they might ask in
Aliwan and she volunteers current events. I ask her about the upcoming
elections.
She voices
her opinion well. “Any amount is far too
less for selling the future.” Her zooming in on vote-buying lets me know
that she relies on what is ahead. “Our
future shouldn’t be for sale”; she values forward-thinking. When I asked
her about the tensions in the two Koreas, she replied with a distilled opinion:
“War is still war”.
Checking
my time, I see I’ve been pushing my luck but she is calm. “I am
looking forward to Manila. I will be wearing designs by Miss Dinagyang 2013
Board Chairperson Alex Soncio. Mr. Soncio, my make-up artist Benjie Sevilla and
handler Alberto Barros formed a team to help me handle the Aliwan Festival
pageant. I hope for the best and I am confident that my team will do a great
job seeing me through.”
A lot of
people I have met have been talking about prospects of Binibining Pilipinas for
her but Victoria replies “I will consider
it in 2 or 3 years time. I want to see first if I have a fight in the
prestigious competition and I will give myself some time to mature more.”
She
leaves a message for the Ilonggo people:
“Thank you for your support. I’ve been receiving a lot of
encouragement through SMS and messages on my Facebook. I have one more request,
please offer prayers for me as I represent you in Aliwan. I’m happy that many
people are proud of me and expect me to do my best because I do know that you
deserve to shine in the national arena.”
I wanted
to ask her if she was ready for the pageant but I saw her again, rising from
her seat and asking me if we’re ready for the photos. She stands tall, commands
power and respect. Her beauty isn’t like the ones you see everyday, it was the
kind that allowed her wit to shine through. I knew she has always been ready. I
take a few pictures and she tells me the laundry list of things she has to do
before the first flight she has to catch the next day. I say goodbye and give a
hug.
Victoria
is the youngest of three, her mother is Filipina while her dad comes from
Nigeria. When her father passed away in his home country late last year,
Victoria told me that it wasn’t sadness that overcame her but contentment. Her
dad loves her a lot, his health was in a decline and the passing didn’t take
her by surprise. A part of her was happy that her dad was already with the
Creator. Victoria’s faith is strong and she is as strong. Aside from great strength,
she also has poise, beauty, intelligence, and wholesome confidence that never
fail to rise above the rest.*
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