A popular pageant guru in the Philippines has advised future candidates in beauty contests not to compete in major pageants anymore if they are not beautiful.
“It’s not a talent show or a quiz bee. It’s a beauty contest. Dapat andun lagi ang beauty. That’s the basic requirement. Personality is a plus factor,” said Rodgil Flores, who heads the Kagandahang Flores beauty camp, in an exclusive interview recently.
Flores also reminded future candidates to abide by the rules of the pageants following disqualification cases in the past, at the sidelights of the presentation of candidates for the 2016 Mr. and Ms. Hannah Beach Resort Ecotourism Ambassadors held at the SM Aura in Taguig City.
“If you join a prestigious or national pageant, they have their own set of rules. You really have to abide by the set of rules. The decision holds,” he said.
“I know the feeling because we also have candidates who were disqualified few years ago. But each organization has its own set of rules. The mere fact that you went there for the screening, that means you are accepting their rules and regulations. You just have to accept it,” said Flores.
This year, 13 candidates trained under the tutelage of Flores will compete in the prestigious Bb. Pilipinas beauty contest while others are preparing to join other national pageants toward the end of 2016.
Choosing a candidate for a beauty pageant has become easier these days due to the advent of social media, according to Flores.
“When I see one, I don’t hesitate to approach her. I still do that. With social media, marami na ang nagse-send ng private message sa akin. Humi-hingi ng tulong at gusto nilang sumali sa beauty contest,” Flores said.
KF is responsible for the winning transformation of beauty queens namely Miss International 2005 Precious Lara Quigaman, Miss International 2013 Bea Rose Santiago, Miss Earth 2008 Karla Paula Henry, Miss Tourism International
2013-2014 Angeli Gomez, etc.
Flores said that he always updates his syllabus for training. But he cautioned the girls in his beauty camp who are not really committed in their training.
“The girl should have the desire when training. Dapat gustung-gusto nila ang ginagawa nila. I have encountered so many times na when it comes to training, hindi mo na makitaan ng initiatives.
So kinakausap ko sila and I tell them ‘You know pinapagod mo lang ang sarili mo!’ Then later mababalitaan ko na lang pinilit lang pala ng nanay or ng lola na sumali,” he said.
Flores stressed that training in a beauty camp does not guarantee a crown for the girl in the pageant.
“Eto ang promise ko. Magiging magaling ka pero hindi ko ina-assure na mananalo ka. We don’t decide your fate.
Tutulungan ka lang namin to be very ready and to give a good fight,” he added.