SPARK OF CELESTIAL VICTORY - BROCHURE Volume I Issue No. 1

Jannah Rochella Puno Miss Asia Awards Philippines 2022

Joshua Ramil Katigbak Mr. Grand Batangas Eco Tourism 2022

SPARK OF CELE SPARK OF CELE

by Alexandra Victoria Mendoza

Beauty has always been a defining compliment for us. It provides us with the driving force to be confident at all times. It is considered an asset not just to a woman but also to a man, which is why beauty pageants are born. It was made for young people to use as their platform for creating effective and fruitful changes.

Aside from that, they can also use beauty pageants to influence their audience and leave an astonishing impact and impression. Beauty pageants have become part of our identity as Filipinos and a piece of our culture.

Recently, two of our alluring and striking UBian students from the College of Entrepreneurship, Tourism, Hospitality, and Real Estate Management (CENTHRE) have brought back titles that give pride and honor to the UBian community.

Jannah Rochella Puno, a 20-year-old third-year BS International Hospitality Management student, and Joshua Ramil Katigbak, a 20-year-old second-year BS Tourism Management student, bagged major awards and recognition as they took part in each of their pageant competitions. Jannah competed in the Miss Asia Awards Philippines 2022 on November 13, 2022, in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines, and ended up winning Miss Newspaper Magazine Korea and the title itself, making her the Grand Winner. Joshua, on the other hand, won not one, but seven awards at the recent Mr. Grand Batangas 2022 competition held on October 29 at the Claro M. Recto Events Center in Lipa City. His awards include Best in Creative Attire, Best in Festival Costume, Best in Production Number, Best in Talent, Mr. Congeniality, Best in Advocacy (Promoting Sustainable Industry amid the Pandemic), and lastly, Mr. Eco Tourism 2022.

EARLY LIFE

Jannah Rochella Puno was born on September 25, 2002, at Sto. Tomas, Batangas, is currently living here in Lipa City. Her fascination with pageants began after witnessing Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray’s outstanding performance. In the same year, she won the title of Queen of LCC with the help of her mentors at the time, Coach Redford and Ate Tonet. Her former class adviser then introduced her to her current handler, mentor, and makeup artist, Tito Eddie. From then on, her journey started.

She was the second runner-up at Binibining Kalikasan 2019. Next, she joined Miss Silka Batangas 2019 and got the oncein-a-lifetime opportunity to represent her beloved city, the City of Lipa. After that, she joined a national pageant competition and was crowned Turismo Filipina Miss Capital ASEAN 2019. She was about to represent our country in Vietnam, but because of the pandemic, it was postponed. That didn’t stop her

from continuing her journey because, after a year, she joined the Miss Tourism Philippines 2021 pageant and was crowned first runner-up.

Another of the university’s proudest students is Joshua Ramil Katigbak. He was born on September 16, 2002, at Lipa District Hospital (popularly known as Granja) and is currently living in Barangay Sico, Lipa City. His interest in joining pageants has been there ever since he attended elementary school. He already had runway skills, but seeing other people use pageantry to voice their causes inspired him the most. No wonder he won Best in Advocacy in his

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“Every pageant competition was a challenge to me.” It is something I consider a training ground. Through the years of joining beauty pageants, I have learned to love myself and be confident in my way. “This confidence molded me and helped me overcome my stage fright, and it is something I’m very proud of,” Jannah stated.

Joshua, on the other hand, has a very different approach to stage fright. “I always experience stage fright, but, you know, fighting for a crown, you don’t need to be hungry and possess extreme self-confidence.” “I always keep in mind that I’m fighting for my advocacy, not for the title,” Joshua said.

last pageant. He has been astonished by the concept of advocacy from a very young age.

LIFE WITHIN

Entering the world of pageantry can be very tricky if you don’t know what you’re doing. Jannah and Joshua both shared some of their stories as they embarked on the world of the sparkling and shining lights of beauty pageants. Stage fright is a common occurrence among beauty pageant contestants. Jannah and Joshua experienced the same, but they managed to overcome this phase.

Having to stay calm and confident at the same time is a tough mental job for both Jannah and Joshua. They both stated that the atmosphere of the competition, once it started, was very nerve-wracking. But, for them to do so, they offer some advice.

“For you to stay calm and confident in front of the audience, you have to put your trust in yourself, remember the purpose of why you joined, remember the people who supported you, and lastly, just be yourself,” Joshua stated. Additionally, Jannah’s approach to staying calm involves offering a talk with God. “Before the competition even started, I always tried to take deep breaths and ask God for his guidance,” I asked him to give me strength and presence of mind, and I assured him that whatever the result of the competition, I would be forever grateful. “I always enjoy the event, listen to the crowd, listen to the sound of music, and enjoy the flow of the event,” Jannah mentioned.

Just like every competition, there is a question-and-answer portion. Joshua and Jannah shared a glimpse of their tactics once given a thought-provoking question. “Standing by our opinions can give knowledge to our audience.” “Sometimes, I encounter that kind of situation, but the thing that I do is stand up for my own beliefs as long as I’m in the right position,” proclaimed Joshua. In Jannah’s case, she mentioned that she always likes to keep her answers short and precise. On the bright side, beauty pageants introduced Jannah and Joshua to new people. The sisterhood that ignited Jannah and her co-candidates and the brotherhood that formed Joshua and his co-candidates are the memorable and exciting parts of every competition that they have joined.

FACES BEHIND THE STAGE

The never-ending support from both Jannah and Joshua’s families and friends is what makes them who they are right now. Their unconditional support is what Jannah and Joshua need to fuel up every competition.

When they were just starting their journey, Jannah and Joshua’s family and friends showered them with feelings of

happiness, amazement, and pride. “My family, Tito Eddie (my pretty handler), and my loving mother show their support by giving their time and efforts to be with me every time there is an event. “They are very kind and compassionate.” Jannah asserted. Her first coaches, Ate Tonet and Coach Redford taught her how to walk, pose, and smile, and her current coach, Tito Eddie, molded her to become even better.

“Wag kang kabahan, enjoy mo lang.” We are very proud of ourselves.”You should be proud of yourself too.” These words are Jannah’s most memorable lesson that she got from her coach. Jannah also added another significant inspiration to her life.

“Aside from Catriona Gray, who has been my inspiration, my greatest inspiration is my mother.” She’s someone I wanted to be when I grew up. She’s kind, compassionate, and the epitome of a God-fearing woman. “Despite the difficulties we experienced, she still managed to smile and give us everything we needed,” Jannah wholeheartedly said. “My mother always tells me to just believe in myself.” And even if I don’t, she’ll tell me to pretend that I do, and at some point, I will. “And it works,” Jannah added. It also makes her heart melt when younger people see her as an inspiration. She was happy and grateful; she had been inspired by someone before, and now she could inspire others.

Furthermore, Joshua’s family and friends’ support made him realize how lucky he is. He even mentioned that two of his friends had even prepared a tarpaulin for him just to cheer him on. Although he does not have a specific teacher or mentor, he considers those who have helped him along the way to be one. And just like Jannah, his mother is also Joshua’s greatest inspiration. “My mom, who always gives and provides me unconditional love and support, always likes to remind me to just be myself, because no one can judge me,” Joshua stated.

DUAL-ENERGY

Balancing school life and pageant life can be very hard for both Jannah and Joshua. They admit that there are times when their schedules overlap, making them push themselves to their limits. Nevertheless, they still managed. “I always list everything that I do and the things I need to accomplish for the day, week, and month.” “This helps me to balance everything, including my academic responsibilities, and at the same time, the things that I love to do,” as stated by Jannah. She always sees to it that she goes to bed at 11 p.m. and wakes up as early as 5:30 a.m. Within that day, she was able to attend her classes, go out with her friends, do some photoshoots, work out, cook, and bake. She usually rewards herself with sleep and hugs from the people she’s with.

Balancing student life and pageant life was easy for Joshua. “For me, it’s easy because my advocacy is related to my course.” “We study the sustainable tourism industry, and I then learned from it, which is an advantage because

I can apply it to the competition,” told Joshua. His plan for the day includes working out and exercising, and he likes to reward himself by buying sweets such as candy and ice cream, which give him a lot of energy.

A GLANCE AT WHAT’S AHEAD

Jannah and Joshua have advocacies as title holders. Jannah’s main advocacy was to promote sustainable tourism amid the pandemic, whereas Joshua’s main advocacy was to promote social change and development, as well as a vision for a world of equity for the betterment of the future.

Such promising advocacy comes from young individuals. With these, what’s next for them? “My main and next goal is to get the degree that I wanted. “To graduate, be a beauty queen someday, start a business, and make my parents and family proud of me that I made it,” as told by Jannah. “I’m not sure if I’ll keep competing in pageants because my next goal is to become a flight attendant,” Joshua said. Thankful to the people who inspired them and the people they inspired, Joshua and Jannah leave a simple yet comforting message;

“

To those who inspired me, I admire how confident you guys are. It has given me the motivation and courage to work on my confidence to inspire and motivate other people. I will forever be grateful.

Jannah Rochella Puno Miss Asia Awards Philippines 2022

“

Be yourself. Nag-iisang quote ko when joining pageants. Why? Dahil naman ako na showing your true colors to others can make sense to inspire and motivate them because, like me, takot din akong lumabas sa comfort zone ko before, but now, I always grab the opportunity na alam kong alam kong makakagain ako ng experience. Ayokong masayang ang opportunity dahil lang natatakot akong i-judge ng tao. And judgement ay hindi na natin maaalis sa buhay ng tao pero atleast naging totoo ka sa sarili mo and naniwala ka sa kakayahan mo.

Joshua Ramil Katigbak Mr. Grand Batangas Eco Toursim 2022

Beauty pageants have always taught us to be beautiful and, at the same time, confident. We had no idea there was more to it. Behind the dashing smiles and sparkling eyes of every contestant are their stories— stories that prove that getting a crown is not that easy.

A foundation must be built first to layer it with another room. It takes years for us to master our craft. And as Jannah’s and Joshua’s stories have shown, success is possible if you have the backup that you needed, and success is best enjoyed when you are sharing it with someone.