Ms. Philippines at the 2010 Miss Universe Pageant

My wife and I thought that Ms. Raj, the 22-year old Bicolana beauty, would bring the bacon home. She was the only Asian in the finals and oozed with confidence and grace as she walked down to represent the Philippines at the 2010 Miss Universe Pageant at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas last night. Until at the very end...my heart sunk!

The question and answer section was a bummer. The question was about a major mistake in her life and her action to make the wrong right. Her answer mentioned her 'morally-right' upbringing and thanked her family, but never addressed the actor's (William Baldwin)question well. BUMMER! And down her big score. The rating meter has swung, most probably to zero. To my wife, it was an acceptable answer. To me, it wasn't and I felt bad about it. To me, it was a time when a diamond-studded crown and scepter turned into a mere withering bouquet. And it sure was. Miss Philippines was named the fourth runner-up. Miss Mexico got the Miss Universe title.

Human as we are, we have committed mistakes in our lives. Maybe that mistake did not lead to a police blotter, but, at least, there was something in our 22 years in life that, at our own personal or subjective point of view, is major. Cheating in class is a major offense to me personally, but is trivial to others. Lying is... to me; but is nothing to others. Ms. Raj answer created a smirk and interpreted probably as a "holier-than-thou" attitude, a negative effect to an inner beauty and sharpness of mind.

"Was Ms. Raj's answer a reflection of who we are or what our training is?" My mind wandered as I drove to the gym for my 11 pm workout. The Miss Philippines response brought my memories back to my time when I taught graduate students at the Philippine Normal University.