The Miss Universe Philippines 2020 journey of Pauline Amelinckx

It was supposed to be the most beautiful day of the year for Boholanos. We were looking forward to the grand coronation of Miss Universe Philippines 2020, the first time in 55 years that the Philippine bet for Miss Universe was staged independently from the annual Bb Pilipinas Pageant.

During the preliminary interview 

It was even more anticipated especially that Pauline was installed as the heavy favourite by pageant experts and fans after winning four of the nine special awards at stake during the preliminaries and after a viewing party was organized by Bellevue Resort for Pauline’s parents, friends and supporters at their Lamian Restaurant for the finals.

As the pageant got underway that Sunday morning, I couldn’t help but feel a palpable sense of resignation and a foreboding of gloom in the room even as glimpses of our Miss Bohol elicited applause and whistles from the room. 

I couldn’t pinpoint it exactly even if Pauline kept advancing to the next round. I had the icky feeling that things would not exactly be to our liking. Was it because of the leakage of results? Or was it because of the slow internet connectivity that made it possible for spoilers to start trickling in.

ILONGGA IS MISS U BET. In the end, the biggest upset in national pageantry happened. A relative unknown who was in her first national pageant snatched the crown from the heavy faves and pageant veterans. Rabiya Mateo from Iloilo City who was earlier awarded Best in Swimsuit was named MUP 2020 and will represent the country at the 69th edition of Miss Universe to be staged at a still undisclosed date and venue.

RUNNERS UP. Miss Paranaque City Ysabella Roxas Ysmael, Best in Gown winner was pipped into second place. Third place went to a disappointed Michelle Gumabao of Quezon City. Our very own Pauline was relegated to fourth place and rounding out the final five was Billie Hackenson of Cavite City. 

Pauline to her credit, did everything right but personally, she had a confusing question that goes like this What factors influence you on what to buy or post online?” When she answered the question, I thought she didn't hit the ballpark with her answer but watching the replay, she did and I could even relate with her answer on what to post online but it was not as strong as what we expected from one of the best speakers of the batch. I believe she could have secured a higher placement had she gotten a better-phrased question

As to the 3rd runner up placement, it wasn’t her destiny and the stars didn't align for a Boholana victory. To put it simply, three other girls outperformed her during the final reckoning. Such is the unpredictability of beauty pageants where judging is subjective and dependent on a lot of factors such as picking the right question or even the composition of the panel of judges.

As to the disappointment felt by Boholanos including this writer, it can be attributed to the momentum that Ms. Amelincx had gained going into the finals.

It can also be attributed to the fact that lately we have been so used to sending outstanding Boholanas who perform well at the nationals like Glyssa Perez Miss Philippines Tourism 2019, Catherine Cadayona Tabaniag Miss Philippines Earth 2017 1st RU and at the Golden Edition of Mutyta ng Pilipinas where Pauline herself got one of the five crowns at stake along with Jade Roberts whose mom id from Desamparados, Calape, Bohol that a runner up placement isn't enough. Perhaps, we should lower our expectations and that we have to be ready to accept that there would be winners and there would be girls who wouldn't make it.

At the MUP 2020 Viewing Party
Bellevue Resort

Back then, it wasn’t the case and a countless number of Boholanas who've gone to the nationals failed to bring home the crown especially with the lack of preparation, training and exposure to the big city life.

The 3rd runner up placement of Delia Canda Dela Serna in Miss Philippines 1962 was a cause for celebration for it was the first time since we sent Ascencion Gaviola to the first nationwide Miss Philippines search in 1926  that a Boholana was finally recognized on the national beauty arena. In 1968, Emma Mumar Campbell was the first Boholana to enter the semis of Bb Pilipinas. It would take another decade when a Boholana  would enter the winners’ circle in Binibini. Perla Salig now Mrs. Perla Teves of Loboc was named 1st RU in Bb Pilipinas 1979.

It was only in 2006 when a Boholana in the person of Anna Maris Arcay Igpit finally got a crown as Bb Pilipinas- World.

And it was only last year that a Boholana who was crowned Bb Pilipinas Intercontinental 2018 was recognized as a world- class beauty when Karen Gallmann was crowned Miss Intercontinental.

From the 46 remaining girls in MUP 2020 , the field was trimmed down to the top 16 with Visayas having the most number of semifinalists with seven, namely the girls from Aklan, Biliran, Bohol, Cebu City, Cebu Province, Mandaue City and Iloilo City.

Going back to Pauline, making it as 3rd runner up in Miss Universe Philippines is not to be sneezed at. The inaugural edition of MUP had a competitive batch that attracted quite a number of past titleholders and top regional queens indeed.

But if there is one thing we Boholanos have to be proud of, it was how Pauline was able to unite all Boholanos regardless of political beliefs to rally behind her and how she was able to get people from around the world to realize that we are more than the Chocolate Hills or the endless stretches of white sandy beaches and that yes, Bohol is home to the Quintessential Boholana who is God- fearing, resilient, beautiful and intelligent.

And for that, Pauline deserves a lavish homecoming fit for a triumphant queen.

Long May You Reign, Queen Pauline!