Beauty Queen: Norlaine Balansag-Selgas

April 15, 2024

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I am Norlaine Selgas, 42 years old, married and a mother of two, currently working as a Financial Advisor. Representing Basak, Lapu-Lapu City! Queen Mother of Cebu 2024 Candidate number 16

How did you get into pageantry? What made you want to compete?

Norlaine: Since I was a little girl, it’s always been my dream to join a beauty pageant, but growing up, I didn’t have enough self-confidence. I grew up in a broken family, experienced bullying due to my skin color, and would often hear people gossiping that I was the ugliest among my siblings. I was tagged as a slow learner in school during my elementary days, and teachers had a hard time with me because I didn’t know how to read. One of my greatest fears that stopped me from joining pageantry when I was younger was the question-and-answer portion.

Now, at 42 years old, with more life experiences and knowing that my limitations are just on the other side of my fear, it made me realize to fight with no regrets and face both my dreams and my fear.

I always wanted to inspire women through my life journey, so when a good friend of mine, Mrs. Gemma Roessmann, told me to register and go to the screening of Queen Mother of Cebu 2024, I told myself this is the right time, and I know God is with me on this journey. And the reasons for competing are way deeper than just pursuing my childhood dreams.

What does beauty mean to you? It’s more than just looks, right?

Norlaine: Beauty for me is far more than just your physical attributes; it’s more about radical self-acceptance, authenticity, and believing that God created you in His image and likeness, that you are His masterpiece, therefore you are uniquely beautiful just the way you are.

What makes you special? What sets you apart from the other contestants?

Norlaine: Each one of us is incomparably unique; your journey, your experiences, and your essence are entirely your own. What sets me apart is that I am authentic, I am not afraid of who I am, and I know exactly the reasons for my existence and why God put me on this platform – to speak not just for myself but to be able to share my life and how God changes my life for the better and to be living my best life according to God’s will.

If you win, how would you use your title to help others?

Norlaine: If given a chance to win Queen Mother of Cebu 2024, I will definitely highlight and use this amazing platform to inspire women all over the world that if I can do it, they can too; that age is just a number and your dreams have no expiration date. Second, as a Financial Advisor, I would help empower the youth with financial literacy and stop the cycle of dependency that is very rampant in each and every Filipino family. Lastly, I would help the children inside the orphanage, especially when it comes to their education because I believe that education is a strong foundation for a more empowered generation.

What’s the coolest thing you’ve learned from being in pageants?

Norlaine: The coolest thing I’ve learned from being in pageants is that beauty queens are humans too; they are not mannequins, they have feelings, they get tired just like any human being. We are not perfect; we also have flaws and insecurities. Some days we are not emotionally and physically in good shape. For me, it’s cool to know that beauty pageants are not just a competition of beauty and intelligence; in Queen Mother of Cebu, they are more focused on your character, how you treat people, and how you handle yourself and your emotions during your bad days.

How do you deal with people who might say mean things?

Norlaine: In a world full of negativity, be the person who spreads goodness, positivity, and compassion. Bear in mind that we cannot control other people’s thoughts or actions towards us, but we should be aware that we have full control of our reactions to whatever mean things they want to throw at us. Always choose to be the person who knows better and a person who knows who you are and not be affected by misleading or fake information.

Tell us about a time something amazing happened during a pageant.

Norlaine: This is my first-ever beauty pageant, and the most amazing thing that happened to me during the pageant is the screening when Queen Mother of Cebu texted me that I was chosen as one of the finalists. I cried; it was actually “tears of joy.” Everything flashed back to me, all the trials, tribulations, pain, and hardship led me to where I am today, and when the founder Ms. Julianne Mae Vera Cruz discussed why she founded Queen Mother of Cebu and its advocacy. That the organization’s key purpose is community service and young mother support, I felt at peace. I instantly remembered all my prayers, and Queen Mother of Cebu is one of my answered prayers because the organization’s purposes align with my dreams, goals, and advocacy. All I can say is that God did lead me to the right place, right people, and right organization so for me, Queen Mother of Cebu itself is one of the most amazing things that ever happened to me.

What kind of person do you think does well in pageants?

Norlaine: A person who excels in pageants is someone who knows their “why.” Knowing your “why” means you clearly understand why you do what you do. It becomes easier for you to set meaningful goals and make decisions that align with your values and aspirations. No matter how challenging things get, if you keep your “why,” you will push yourself to finish the journey stronger and better.

Being in a pageant means a lot of people are watching. How do you stay true to yourself through it all?

Norlaine: Joining a pageant, I know that I become a public figure, sharing a part of my life with the world. It is very important that I have a strong foundation of who I am. I always believe that it doesn’t matter how others see you; the only thing that matters is how you see yourself. So be fearlessly authentic and bravely be yourself! In life, we do not exist to impress people but to progress and inspire.

What do you dream of doing in the future, pageant world or not?

Norlaine: It has always been my dream and in my heart to help the children in orphanages and build my own charity for children because I know the feeling of growing up without your parents with you and the struggle to finish college without financial support. To be honest, with my current financial situation, that dream is impossible to achieve, but knowing that I have a big God who created the universe, I know that with God, everything is possible.