I judged the Miss Scuba Philippines Pageant! Cebu beauty queens, ocean conservation.
Why am I waving like a beauty queen? Because I was a judge in the 2014 Miss Scuba Philippines contest, held at Pacific Cebu Resort!
Unlike typical pageants, Miss Scuba has the meaningful goal of promoting marine conservation. All the contestants learn to dive, and are questioned on how they’d preserve the ocean ecosystem.
Let me tell you, it was difficult to crown a winner from the 12 contestants. Read on, and I’ll show you what went down at this unique Filipino beauty pageant.
Hong Kong-based hotel group sáv Hospitality hosted Miss Scuba Philippines at Pacific Cebu Resort. Since the resort is right on the water and home to a diving school, it was a perfect fit.
What I Wore: didn’t plan this outfit in advance, but somehow it came together and fit the ocean-theme of the pageant.
Crop top: Show Me Your Mumu Lil Miss Crop Top in teal green (get it on sale, they also have it in black).
Skirt: The bottom half is actually a scarf with a fish-scale pattern, similar to this tie-dye maxi skirt.
Browse more mermaid-styles by clicking the images below:
Princess Jasmine meets The Little Mermaid. The shell hair accessory is a gift from the Nalusuan Island marine sanctuary that we visited.
Before heading to the pageant, I waded in one of the hotel’s three swimming pools. (There’s one just for the diving school — you can see it in this post.)
Spa treatments are available at all hours — the resort can even send a masseuse to your room. But if you’re a DIY type, there is this self foot massage from smooth white rocks.
To get to the pageant, I walked down a jungle path lit up with torches. At the entrance, I posed for photos with the Miss Scuba backdrop, and left a drawing of my Scottish Fold cat.
My film team and I also posed for a nice souvenir: Polaroid photos to take home. (Images in this post by Eric Bergemann and Melissa Rundle.)
I went to my judge’s head table, and found my place card. The other pageant judges included the mayor of Lapu-Lapu, and sáv Hospitality founder/CEO Edwin Chuang.
The sáv team did an impressive job with the stage design, lighting it up in colors with a big screen in the back.
Here come the Miss Scuba contestants! They wear sashes that indicate their hometown in the Philippines. Amazing how they can walk in those heels, and toss their heads just so.
This contest is held in English, since it’s an international pageant (founded in 2011). The winner of this regional round will go onto the Miss Scuba finals in Kota Kinabulu, Malaysia on November 28.
Between the pageant segments, there were singers and performers, such as this happy number by the University of Cebu Dance Company.
So hard to give a score for each lady! There are typical sections like the swimsuit contest, but the most important criteria is how well the contestant advocates for marine conservation.
Pageants are a huge deal in the Philippines, and many young women spend a year in beauty queen training. They learn how to walk, carry themselves well, and speak eloquently — and all of them do their own hair and makeup.
In the Talent contest, their personalities come out. Some danced, some sang, some drew pictures. This contestant did a theatrical monologue, complete with evil queen cackling!
It was fun to get to know these young ladies during my stay in Cebu. I learned a lot about their daily life and pop culture — such as their love of “chika time” or girl chatting, and karaoke. Celine Dion’s “All Coming Back to Me” was stuck in my head because I heard several people bawl it out!
A quick change, for the evening-wear presentation. Everyone wore long, sparkling dresses that reflected the colors of the ocean.
They make it look easy… but the competition takes a lot of dedication. I was impressed by their unshakable poise. (Love this lady’s long blue ball gown — shop more styles like this below.)
Pick an envelope, and it’s time for the question and answer. Since Miss Scuba is a spokesperson for “saving oceans through beauty,” they were quizzed on how they’d educate the public on marine conservation.
Cebu’s “Prince of Ballad” Philip Mancol serenaded all the contestants, while I handed in my final scores to be tallied up.
Congrats to the winners of Miss Congeniality, Miss Photogenic, Bets Evening Gown and Swimsuit. They received a sash and cash prize.
Confetti rained down for Amanda Arbitrario, winner of Miss Scuba 2014! Last year’s winner, Christine Paula Love Bernasor, gives her the tiara, while the mayor of Lapu-Lapu and Edwin cheer.
Amanda stands with Princess and Reygin, the second and first runner-ups. Congratulations to all!
We ended the night with cocktails at the afterparty by the beach. Fireworks exploded above us — I’ve never seen them from so close.
It was an honor to be a judge in Miss Scuba, a beauty pageant with the goals of protecting the planet’s oceans, promoting safe diving practices, and inspiring the next generations.
Above is a selection of brands and styles featured in this post. Select the images for more details, and to shop.
Does this story make you think differently about beauty queens?
SHARE & COMMENT
LA CARMINA
33 Comments
So much fun and you look supa fierce!
What a fun day! <3
When are you in NOLA. I haven’t been to New Orleans in years. I hope the Westgate Gallery is still there, but I have a feeling it’s not
I’ll look for it!
mermaid top….want it
it’s on sale, it’s a good moment to get it! ;)
Cebu is awesome! I’m glad you had a great time!
<3 I loved it!
Chic<3
<3
xx
cool
xox
Little Mermaid
T^__^
<3
Niceeeeeee
Everyone look beautiful. Interesting pageant idea.
Yes so different.
Fabulous creative look of the day. Check My blog?
I love your outfit! And the event looks fun!
http://www.thequinoxfashion.com
Thanks, Gail! <3 So much fun.
Goodcoverage of Philippines, thank you for visiting
I’m so happy you liked it!
Thank you Miss Carmina it’s so nice meeting you ! Btw I found tons of my photo here :)
Thank you dear!! I can’t wait to show you the video too, it’s coming right up! xoxo
Oh my Im excited ! I haven’t saw any video yet during the pageant :) Thank you and Your welcome Miss Carmina ! xoxo
Yay!
fab sparkly dresses :)
XD
That’s cool, you get to do cool things around the world don’t u. ;)
Oh! I love your outfit! :D
<3 Kiss!