MRS. Universe. Wait, WHAT?

Being a Miss Universe, you must dedicate yourself to inspiring, touching the lives of many, and serving the world. You cannot serve two masters at the same time. Miss Universe or Missus Universe - which is proper? Should there be a separate pageant for this title, or can we consider moms and married women to be crowned as Miss Universe?

Women continue to strive for betterment and persevere amid stereotypes need to know history; it is all about how you treasure and preserve it.

It is indeed that there are beautiful Mothers, Mommies, Moms, and Mums out there. For 70 years have passed, Miss Universe contestants must be aged 18 to 28 years old, have never been married, not have a marriage or annulled, nor have given birth to or parented a child (Cawis, 2023). These circumstances limit mothers and wives from joining grand pageants like this. Yet, a newly implemented rule will make a historic change on the 72nd Miss Universe in 2023 - the annual competition will accept married women and mothers.

To evolve with the changing times and to best represent and support women globally, inclusion plays a significant role in the Miss Universe missions. Paula Shugart, president of the Miss Universe organization, confirmed that in the 2023 pageant, they now allow moms and wives to participate in the competition. It frenzied the pageant world and the single mothers, pregnant, married, and divorced women to compete.

In 2004, Victoria Neville said that the organization does not allow mothers or wives to participate because the title holder travels consistently and does not condone a mother leaving their child. She further asserted that the Miss Universe is a job for a single person, not for someone who has kids or a husband, but there are various ways to simultaneously uphold a woman’s responsibilities to both the universe and her children or husband. Women continue to strive for betterment and persevere amid stereotypes that are only to be discriminated against by an organization that empowers women.

For decades, these participants have had to attest that they have never been married or pregnant. Suzanne Cherrin, a professor at the University of Delaware, said it is a clever marketing strategy. Cherrin asserted that part of the allure of a beauty pageant is the impression that the beauty queen is available. Ergo, if the Miss Universe is married, that would be less attractive. These ideals of modern womanhood are particularly troubling because it is contradictory. The universe wants its miss to be sexy but pure, someone that represents women but fails to include those who are not single, married, or pregnant in the selection.

Would they be capable of spearheading the journey toward creating and providing a safe space for women and making an impact in personal, professional, and philanthropic aspects? Are we to forget that women are now occupying leadership positions where in the past, only men can, and the thought of it would make a crowd laugh? Women have proven so much. Moreover, the Miss Universe pageant is a thorough assessment of determining who is capable of upholding the duties of Miss Universe, and if a woman who is pregnant, married, or divorced is capable of taking on that role, then why should a rule hinder that?

There are a lot of women who married young or had kids in their early 20s who are capable of fulfilling the duties more difficult may be, as being the Miss Universe - an impression that leads to a debate. However, women have not been provided yet the opportunity to fulfill that because of a rule, so nobody knows. If this new rule could tell the world that mothers and wives can handle the job, then why not? Miss Universe is a serious job that can be demanding and exhausting, but it does not mean mothers and wives are not qualified. Just like in any other industry, women are capable of having demanding leadership positions with or without a family; this should not be a factor that determines their capacity. As a platform showcases the significance of women in society and the world, they should not be the ones to say what a woman can and can not do.

The new rule advocates an inclusive and impactful change for future contestants and the women watching at home. Witnessing someone like themselves participate in one of the biggest and most prestigious international pageants, endorsing world peace, and changing other people’s lives is incredible. Albeit this change was a long time coming, this is a triumph that the universe must celebrate. stronger and more inclusive educatioal institution for future generations.

Alumni Thanksgiving Mass

By Jhon Marc Austria

The Jose Rizal University Alumni Association (JRUAA) conducted its homecoming event to end the week-long celebration of the university’s 104th founding anniversary last February 19 at the JRU Quadrangle.

The event started with a thanksgiving mass at the JRU chapel and was presided by Father Stephen from Malta.

JRU Chorale concluded the program with a song.