The Female Alpha
Whenever neighbors come together to watch chosen women dress up in gowns, show off their talents, and walk their versions of , you can expect that a beauty pageant is taking place and making a small barrio come alive at night. Today, beauty pageants in the Philippines are a national obsession—names of candidates make the headlines and social media is abuzz with predictions and comments of the representatives’ performance. But completely unique to our country is how beauty queens aren’t only a pretty face with a sash, instead their title translates into power, specifically the title of Miss Universe. Former winners have become major personalities and celebrities with a worldwide following. This raises an important conversation: with beauty and power connected, do pageants still perpetuate unrealistic standards for women? Beatrice Luigi Gomez has the answer to the tough question–it’s up to the queen to take a stand and bring a new meaning to being Miss Universe she says, “Each one of us is representing someone out there who is also like us. So, it’s very important that we stay true
