So many people have come to be aware of the ongoing Miss Asia Pacific International here because of the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that jolted one of the pageant’s events. And the delegates recalled the moments that happened that fateful evening.
The Philippine-based international pageant was holding its gala night at the ballroom of Radisson Blu Hotel in Cebu City on Sept. 30, to raise funds for Operation Smile. But the massive tremor with the epicenter traced to Bogo City north of the province disrupted the festivities.
Videos from the event showed Australia’s Deborah Madriaga among the last ladies walking down the runway, exhibiting a calmer demeanor than the others.
‘I’ve never experienced an earthquake, so that was the first time. Growing up, I was into a lot of action movies and stuff, so seeing all of that, it was just natural instinct for me, firstly being calm, and then also looking for my sisters as well,’ she told Inquirer Entertainment.
‘I saw Belgium jump off, so I followed her, and I saw Brazil onstage, so I ran to her. And the crown also jumped in front of me. So I was like, this is real, this is actually happening. The first thing I thought was get the girls to safety,’ she shared.
Reigning queen Janelis Leyba, the finale model of the show, was seen in videos taking her crown off her head and dropping it on the floor. ‘After it all calmed down, that’s when I picked it up and that’s when I gave it back to our leaders. I panicked. I felt so bad for Janelis, like she was so scared. I wish that I could be there for her. She ran off,’ Madriaga said.
The Philippines’ Anita Rose Gomez also said it was her first time experiencing an earthquake. ‘I was just about to get off the stage when it happened. And I just felt that I’m dizzy. I’m not so sure what’s happening, and I just saw people running around me,’ she said.
‘And I saw Miss Taiwan, she’s so shocked, and she cannot move. I grabbed her hands and I told her to go with me under the table. I just kept on praying, that everything will be okay after the earthquake,’ Gomez continued.
‘Kudos to Radisson Hotel, and of course the Miss Asia Pacific International, the staff, they were so calm and prepared, and they made sure that everything was okay, that everything was fine. And I just want to take this opportunity to say to everybody that we are all well taken care of,’ the Zambaleña beauty said. Gomez said she saw online the extent of devastation that the earthquake caused, even claiming lives. ‘I just want everyone to pray, hold on to our faith. And of course, let’s help one another. Let’s look out for one another. And at the same time, let’s help Cebu recoup from what happened last night,’ she said.
Cambodia’s Mealyann Nita Saing shared that she had also experienced a quake while in Bangkok, Thailand doing modeling a few years back. She recalled this incident with people who took cover under the same table as hers during the commotion.
Gomez, meanwhile, said her experience taught her to be quick on her feet. ‘Have the presence of mind that we need. At the same time, don’t panic. It’s something that is instilled in me, that in times of problems, in times of catastrophes, you have to be more relaxed, composed,’ she said.
The earthquake has prompted the Miss Asia Pacific International pageant to cancel the press presentation at the provincial capital scheduled on the day after the earthquake struck. It has also released a statement of solidarity with Cebuanos affected by the tremor.
‘Pageantry is not only about celebrating grace, talent, and advocacy-it is also about embodying the true essence of service,’ the pageant organization said, adding that the candidates will devote their time and influence for relief and fundraising events and initiatives, awareness and empowerment, and solidarity events and programs.
The Miss Asia Pacific International delegates have volunteered in the packing of relief goods at the Cebu Province Warehouse on Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 1. The call to action was made the last minute, and the ladies readily heeded it. Miss Asia Pacific International President Eva Patalinjug-Lim said all the other activities scheduled for the ladies around the province have been cancelled, but the coronation night will push through on Oct. 8 at the Cebu Coliseum.