Chain Lee is presently a candidate in the Binibining Tuburan 2024 beauty pageant. Her excellent, intelligent bio and beauty tells us she could be wearing a crown in the near future
So, how did you get into pageantry? What made you want to compete?
Pageantry was not really my thing because during high school I was focusing on my career as an athlete and a student leader; hence, when I transferred schools in senior high school, the people there saw my potential in pageantry, and on my first pageant in that school, I won the crown, which has turned the tables for me and led me in pageantry.
What does beauty mean to you? It’s more than just looks, right?
Beauty has been people’s standard ever since the dawn of time, yet people tend to only look at beauty from the outside. As a woman who always tries to find the beauty of everyone not only in their appearance but also in their beauty within, I believe that beauty from the outside should not be the standard because the true beauty of a person is measured by how pure and kind one’s heart is.
What makes you special? What sets you apart from the other contestants?
As a candidate for a very prestigious event, what sets me apart from the other candidates is my heart for the Tuburanons. Being able to grow up here in Tuburan has given me the chance to experience a life full of hospitable and hopeful people, and with this experience, I stand here not as one candidate but as a whole Tuburan, for I am here because of my love and passion for our people.
If you win, how would you use your title to help others?
Growing up, I’ve seen each and every Tuburanon struggle in life, yet this did not hold them down but instead made them hopeful. And if I will win Binibining Tuburan 2024, I would use this title to help my fellow Tuburanons in making their hopes into success’ (partnering with our municipal government and nongovernment agencies). I bring with me our people, and with this, I believe that I will not only champion Tuburan’s people but also our Tuburan.
What’s the coolest thing you’ve learned from being in pageants?
In every pageant, I have learned different things, but here in Binibining Tuburan, it’s different from all the other pageants that I’ve competed in. This pageant has given me a chance to learn about myself deeper and, most especially, has given me the chance to learn and value “true friendship.” I have made not only friends but also sisters who do not see me as competition but instead as their companion. Being able to have people like this by my side in a big and prestigious pageant has given me confidence that no matter if I win or not, I already bagged the best reward I could ever have in this pageant, and that is my Binibining Tuburan sisters.
How do you deal with people who might say mean things?
I deal with them with positivity and optimism. As a public figure, I should be ready for criticism from others because we can’t control everyone’s views of us. The most important thing that we should always remember when receiving negative comments and things from people is that the only people that should matter are the ones supporting us throughout this competition and this life, and most especially, to know one’s self, because if we know ourselves, then the criticism of others will never affect us.
Tell us about a time something amazing happened during a pageant!
The most amazing thing that happened to me during a pageant was knowing my weaknesses and how to make use of them as my strengths. Being able to acknowledge such has given me a chance to improve myself to become a better version of myself, and becoming such will definitely help me in inspiring others, especially the youth and young ones, that we should not take our flaws and weaknesses negatively, but instead make this a challenge that we should embrace and improve to make it a positive aspect of ourselves.
What kind of person do you think does well in pageants?
In pageantry, we have this standard that a candidate should possess intelligence, beauty, and have that walk, but as for me, the person who would do well in pageants is a person who knows her purpose, because with purpose comes determination, courage, and a heart for the people. Knowing one’s purpose, I believe that she will not only win the crown but also make this place of ours not just a better place but the best place we could possibly have.
Being in a pageant means a lot of people are watching. How do you stay yourself through it all?
I stay as myself by letting myself know that I am here because of my hard work, determination, and dedication. I am doing this for myself and for others who have believed in and supported me. Most especially, I am doing this to become an inspiration to everyone that in this society full of negativity, we should always stay positive and trust ourselves that we can do anything if we just believe in ourselves.
What do you dream of doing in the future, pageant world or not?
As a woman who wants to inspire others, I dream of becoming a voice, a helping hand, and a role model for our people. I believe that I do not need to win in any pageants for me to become a walking inspiration; I believe that I can inspire others; I can become their helping hand through using different platforms, partnering with different organizations, and standing by my beliefs on how to make this place a better place to live in, as well as being sensitive and open-minded to our people’s opinions and outlook on life. And with this, I believe that I can become an inspiration and a living testimony that we can make this world a better and more positive one in various ways if we just have the determination to help others and make this world the best place for us, our family, our people, and our future generations.
