Former Miss World 2003 Top 5 finisher Mafae Yunon-Belasco gave her unsolicited advice to aspiring beauty queens saying that they should not join beauty contests if what they have in mind is fame and fortune.
“I tell them if it’s fame and fortune, wag ka na lang mag join. Kasi mali ‘yung mindset mo. But if it’s to be a better person, to inspire other people, if it’s to change our country, in a better light, ‘yun! That’s a good purpose,” said Belasco, during an interview at the Novotel in Cubao, Quezon City recently.
“When I do talks, I always point out that you have to know the real reason why you join competition like this or being an inspiration to others,” said Belasco, now a motivational speaker and a beauty and fashion coach.
Belasco is now married to Filipino-American Nic Belasco, a former basketball player. They have kids.
She also gave more winning tips to contestants in beauty pageants.
“To win, they have to stand out. They have to wow he crowd. They have to know themselves more than anyone ever knows them. It’s got to be personalize because Q and A is simple if you keep it simple. So whatever question they will receive, it’s really coming from what they believe in, what they know. They don’t have to fake it so much kasi its going to be to obvious,” Belasco said.
“Kasi when you’re in front of the camera, on stage, basta the moments when you’re in front of an audience, kailangan you have to show your passion, your inner beauty. Kasi you can be beautiful on the outside but if it comes out with your communication skills or answers, and it sounds off, then the whole package is parang disadvantage,” she said.
“You have to be ready for it kasi joining the pageant is not a game. Your affecting other lives, not only your own.
Whatever you do, moving forward, winning a crown, the youth, us, we look up to you. Because at the end of the day, you’ll be representing our country,” Belasco said.
Asked to choose between beauty and good communication skills, Belasco said: “Advantage if your beautiful. The more the peope are gonna take notice of you. But if what you say does not match your beauty, then erase na ‘yun. It should be balance. You can have gorgeous hair, gorgeous skin, gorgeous smile, but if you won’t be able to communicate,
that’s your disadvantage.”
“For me, total package talaga. I’ll choose you if you’re beautiful. But at the same time, kung makita ko yung isa not so beautiful but her answer is great, winner ko na ‘yun. But you will never know what kind of judges who will be in front of you,” she added.