Ni ROBERT R. REQUINTINA
SINABI ni Miss Philippines Ilene de Vera, ang pambato ng bansa sa Miss Asia Pacific International 2017 beauty pageant, na ang pagsali sa mga mapayapang rally o demonstrasyon ang nagbukas ng kanyang isipan sa mga pambansang isyu at dahil dito ay nagkaroon siya ng kamalayang panlipunan.
“Many do not know that back in college, I had the chance to participate in a few rallies and demonstrations in and outside the campus,” sabi ni Ilene, na nag-aral sa University of the Philippines Cebu.
ALAMIN: Ano ang silbi ng ‘bollards’ at paano nito pinipigilan ang aksidente?
“I specifically joined those that concerned our right to free education and the just compensation of workers. For so long, holding rallies and demonstrations are a taboo in our society and that is mainly the reason why I joined it. I want to show to people and change the way they think about rallies.
“Through this we can actually achieve power against the oppressors of our rights. Rallies are a form of unification and it can always be done in a peaceful way. In fact, a portion of the constitution allows the free execution of such so long that it does not cause prejudice to the rights of others,” ani Ilene.
Ayon sa dalaga, na nagtatrabaho ngayon sa isang real estate and leasing company, ipinagmamalaki niyang nakibahagi siya sa mga mapayapang demonstrasyon.
“This chunk of my life is something I’m most proud of and I thank UP Cebu for opening my mind to societal and national issues and molding me to become a more assertive and conscious,” aniya.
Apatnapu’t dalawang magaganda at empowered na kababaihan ang magkakatunggali para maiuwi ang titulo ng Miss Asia Pacific International 2017. Gaganapin ang finals sa Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World Manila sa Huwebes, Nob. 29, simula 6 PM.
“More than having the girls compete with each other, the organization is focused on forging solidarity among the girls and inspiring them to be epitomes of a strong and confident woman who is proud of herself, her culture, and everything that makes her what she is,” sinabi ni Jacqueline Tan-Sainz, president of the Miss Asia Pacific International pageant.
“This is not just another beauty pageant - this is a program that hopes to create ambassadors that ignite positive change in the global community,” added Tan-Sainz.
