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University Beauty Pageant Celebrates Beauty in Service
Written by Robert Kittel, Director of Peace Education, UPF-Asia
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
“It completes me as a person and it helps the people to be aware of the great possibilities to realize peace in our country by doing these simple activities,” said Patrixia Santos, a pageant delegate from Bicol University.
Delegates from the Mister and Miss University beauty pageant from 24 universities of the Philippines astonished residents of San Andres Barangay 704, Zone 77 as they offered a day of community service.
This was part of a very different kind of beauty pageant. Instead of just looking at artistic talents and beautiful skin, this pageant sought to set a higher standard.
Instead of evening gowns and tuxedos, 24 ladies and 22 gentlemen donned work clothes as they painted walls and playgrounds, swept sidewalks, cleaned up trash, and mingled with the children.
The reward was not only a more beautiful community, but it made a change inside the hearts of the delegates and among community members as well. “It feels good,” Santos said, “because I did my best in painting and cleaning the surroundings.”
Residents of the San Andres Barangay, especially the children, were surprised and inspired seeing these young students serve so selflessly and help beautify their community.
Ms. Maricor Olimpo, who represents Makati University, saw this as a very different kind of pageant. “It looks at the internal aspects rather than only external beauty,” she observed, noting, “It really enhanced our ability to deal with other all kinds of people.”
Ultimately, Olimpo discovered the hidden value and meaning of service. “It opened my heart and taught me the joy of living for the sake of others. I’m happy.”
The final pageant night will be on December 11 in the Manila Hotel. In addition to the overall winners that will be announced that evening, four delegates will receive Service Awards base from their performance today.
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