It’s been more than two weeks since Kernan arrived home and our lives are slowly going back to normal.

He’s not at home most of the time due to his hectic work schedule. But at least, occasionally, we get to have breakfast or dinner together, we’ve already gone out on two family days and we even got to run one morning at UP.

The only thing we haven’t done yet is go out on a movie date but then I’m sure we’ll get around to it soon. I’m expecting things will ease up after today.

It’s the big launch day today, the pilot episode of Survivor Philippines – Celebrity Showdown, after 24 Oras on Channel 7.

I can now reveal that that’s what he’s been working on for the past months that he was away in Thailand. He’s the executive producer and I’m so proud of how he’s handling such a huge show. Having come from TV work myself, I know how tough it can get especially with a primetime show.

But he deserves this big break and as I always tell him, I know he’s gonna rock at it and bring in some major ratings.

If you’re in the Philippines, please do tune in and help spread the word. We greatly appreciate your support.

Major memories

Though it felt surreal watching Ms. Universe after a tragic hostage taking drama just the night before, I did tune in to the delayed telecast of the pageant just in time to see beauty queen Venus Raj enter the final 5 and hear her “major major” answer.

The first thought on my mind, like everyone else, was she could have answered better. But then I realized, she was content with just entering the top 5 and she already felt like a winner. It was already more than enough vindication for her.

After everything she went through, she proved to everyone else that she could make it. Maybe not the top crown, but besting 80 other beautiful ladies from all over the world is already a mean feat. That’s why when it was her turn to answer the final question, she couldn’t think of anything else to say but “thank you.”

It’s funny how some people tease her for her answer and toss out “should haves.” They must think, how hard could it be to answer, “What is the biggest mistake that you’ve made in your life?” But when they’re asked the big question, on the spot, they can’t come up with a decent answer themselves. It takes tremendous stage presence and focus to be able to deliver an intelligent answer, smile at the judges and maintain a poised stance at the same time, in front of thousands of people.

How do I know? Well, I’ve been there myself.

That’s why I like watching beauty pageants because it brings back memories of the pageants I’ve been in. They were small time pageants that happened more than 16 years ago, but they were memorable experiences nonetheless.

I remember the first pageant I joined, I had no money for gowns and costumes but I still wanted to stand out. So I borrowed everything I could and learned how to carry them with panache.

During the modeling portion where I had to wear sports attire, I thought of being an equestrian. It was very different from the usual tennis attires the candidates were wearing, only problem was I didn’t know where to get the proper riding breeches, boots and accessories that make up the look. So I wore my own jeans and borrowed oversized long sleeves, a vest, and Doc Martens boots.

Looking back, I knew I looked funny. But hey, I won first runner up. I couldn’t remember a single question that was asked of me back then, but I do remember giving answers brilliant enough to always earn me a first runner up or the second crown title.

It feels like climbing uphill from the preliminary activities up to the pageant night but once you get a spot at the top 5, it’s like downhill from there. By then, it all depends on how badly you want the crown.

For some, I guess including Venus, it’s not about getting the crown, but proving you can fight for your dream that counts.

Tagged as: miss universe 2010, survivor philippines