Shana is an intelligent, driven young beauty queen with individual goals and a desire to speak for her fellow Carmelohanon. She is a beautiful credit to her town. As of time of writing, she is a candidate in the Binibining Tuburan beauty pageant.
So, how did you get into pageantry? What made you want to compete?
Funny story, it all began when my father enlisted my name on the list to be screened for Miss Carmelo. My family owns a huge fishing vessel that many families depend on, and I made it my advocacy to be the voice of every Carmelohanon.
What does beauty mean to you? It’s more than just looks, right?
Beauty, for me, is more than just looks. Beauty means feeling comfortable in your own skin and appreciating your imperfections.
What makes you special? What sets you apart from the other contestants?
I have my own story. I do not compete for myself; I’m here for the people of Carmelo who lost their livelihood. I am here to share not just my story but the story of all Carmelohanon. I want to win for my people, and I think that’s what makes me special!
If you win, how would you use your title to help others?
I have been living in Carmelo for almost twenty years, and I know the ways and struggles of my fellow Carmelohanon, as well as their pains and joys. For almost, I think, 6-7 months, the people of Carmelo lost their livelihood and main source of income, which is fishing. If I win, I would take steps to promote my advocacy, which is all about the conservation of marine biology to better help the fishermen, not just in my village, Carmelo, but also throughout Tuburan. This way, no one will ever go hungry, and children won’t have to stop their studies due to a lack of income and livelihood.
What’s the coolest thing you’ve learned from being in pageants?
The coolest thing I’ve learned in pageantry is that I have created a sister-bond amongst my co-candidates. The memories we shared and the experiences we have will forever be cherished!
How do you deal with people who might say mean things?
I only have three things for them:
- Do not tolerate them.
- Do not speak harm about them; instead, be nice and kind to them.
- Pray for them.
My mom always taught me to always look on the brighter side of everything because that’s where you shine!
Tell us about a time something amazing happened during a pageant!
I would say it’s the whole new level of confidence that I gained from my fellow candidates and the people working behind the stage and cameras in shaping us candidates into the best versions of ourselves.
What kind of person do you think does well in pageants?
That person possesses three things: Passion, Determination, and Commitment. These are the qualities that I have which have helped me throughout this pageant!
Being in a pageant means a lot of people are watching. How do you stay yourself through it all?
After winning my first pageant, Miss Carmelo, I realized pageantry comes with being prone to public scrutiny, especially for someone with a title. They will receive a lot of harsh criticism, and I believe at times like these, it is best to listen so you can open yourself to new perspectives. But it is also wise to choose whose opinions matter to you to further improve yourself and at the same time protect your mental health. As Taylor Swift, my favorite singer-songwriter, said, “part of growing up and moving through new chapters of your life is to know how to catch and release. Knowing what things to keep and what things to let go of.”
What do you dream of doing in the future, pageant world or not?
I have always wanted to become a forensic pathologist and then proceed to become a lawyer. I want to study how and why humans die and also fight injustice. I know it’s a long way there, but I know I will surely get there.
