Page 58 - Vol3-8

Miss Manila UP!

LOS ANGELES,
CALIFORNIA

ince I was twelve born in the Philippines
I had always and gave birth to my
wanted to be Nana Liz. I know it
Sa princess, my seems quite confusing
favorite princess was with the names but
Aurora from the 1956 there is a secret reason
Disney film “Sleeping for that. My Lola and
Beauty”. Although she Nana came to the United
only had sixteen lines States to leave a troubled
throughout the entire relationship. In the U.S.
movie her voice always she became a professor at
captivated me and I sang a private college teaching
along in my pink Aurora journalism. Not only was
inspired gown. I never she a smart cookie but
thought that I would she was a Beauty queen
live out a moment like a in the Philippines. She
princess. would tell me about how
I grew up in a quiet she would feel walking
home with my mom down the runway in her
Joanna. She was always big beautiful gown. I
inspiring me to be the best version of myself. She was praised her for being so confident and one day hoped to
a hard working single parent, was soon remarried and have the same experience.
brought a new man into my life that I am proud to call I would have never pictured myself in a beauty
my dad. Their relationship showed me what true love pageant or being able to walk in six inch heels without
really is. Within their relationship I gained a little sister falling. But on the day I was scouted at my Junior
and a brother whom I love dearly. I have always had a basketball game in 2016 I was not really considering
close relationship with my mom. Although we love to joining until my Mom really pushed me to be
bicker with each other she is always around to make adventurous and try it out. I remember orientation
me happy. My mom was one of the many women who being so awkward, my hair was a wreck, my makeup
inspired me everyday to be the confident woman I am was completely disproportionate, and my white cocktail
today. dress shaped my body into a box like figure. From that
Mom spent most of her time growing up with my moment on I knew I wanted to be a part of the pageant
Lola Anita. My Lola had many stories to tell and I and found myself within the process.
loved listening to every single one of them. She was Sadly, that year of the pageant I did not place nor

58 manilaupmagazine.com