Beauty Queen: Shanty Barriga

This intelligent beauty is shooting for the stars and studying medicine at the University of the Visayas. Her bio is extremely genuine and her sultry looks will make her a pageant favorite. She is presently candidate #5 in the Binibining Tuburan beauty pageant

So, how did you get into pageantry? What made you want to compete?

To be honest, I am not really into pageants, but my family persuaded me to join because they believe I have the potential. What made me want to compete is the desire to gain experience and to be an inspiration to all people, especially the younger generation, showing them that a thousand miles begin with a single step.

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

I believe that beauty is a dazzling foundation of grace and confidence. It is about embracing your uniqueness and spreading a positive impact in our society. As a role model, I believe that beauty shines brightest from within.

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

What makes me special is that I have an athletic build, and with that, I consider myself unique. What sets me apart from the other contestants is our different perspectives on how we use our advocacies, but I believe we all share the same goal: to inspire and uplift others.

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

If given the chance to win, I will use my voice to share my experiences with the younger generation, showing that having a unique and athletic body is not a hindrance in achieving one’s dreams. I will also use this platform to promote my advocacy, which is body positivity. It’s about realizing that each of us is unique and worthy of love, acceptance, and respect. I am not just here for myself but together with these other beautiful candidates, we will help spread eye-opening advocacies that can raise awareness in today’s generation.

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

I think the coolest thing I’ve learned from joining pageants is that we have to face our fears and be risk-takers. With these qualities, you will be confident, unstoppable, and, most importantly, you can become the best version of yourself.

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

As a victim of bullying because of my athletic body, I will not let those criticisms hinder my journey. Instead, I’ll take those criticisms with a positive attitude. As a role model, I will embody strength, grace, and boundless potential. I will also embrace the power of femininity while breaking barriers and shattering stereotypes. We should always remember that we don’t have to change anything about ourselves; we are all stars and uniquely beautiful.

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

The most amazing moment that happened during a pageant was discovering the best version of myself and learning to be a risk-taker. I learned to value my capabilities and weaknesses, which turned me into a stronger and more confident woman. Being on this platform, I can spread my advocacy for body positivity and inspire others, especially the younger generation, showing that having a unique athletic body is not a hindrance in achieving one’s dreams. We should all take risks and open doors that can lead to many opportunities because taking risks is the best thing ever, and that’s what gets you anywhere.

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

We all know that pageantry has standards, especially when it comes to beauty. For me, a real beauty queen possesses a positive attitude by being a role model full of determination and a woman who promotes charity. As we all know, charity is a language of compassion where kindness knows no boundaries. As a public figure, I’ll encourage everyone to spread generosity in every corner of our world and embrace diversity.

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

In my opinion, remaining true to oneself in a pageant requires authenticity rather than striving to fit into an idealized vision. I would emphasize accepting my own qualities and characteristics. I would take control of my stage presence and positively show the audience that I can do it and I am confidently beautiful with a purpose.

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

As some of you know, I am a nursing student at the University of the Visayas, and I am also a woman committed to the world of pageantry. My dream is to help and inspire others to reach their dreams and believe in their capabilities. We should always dream big, embrace who we are, and never underestimate our ability to make a difference. I believe that each one of us holds the potential to spark positive change in the world. Because of that, we should always stand tall, chase our dreams with passion, and remember that our voice matters. I’ll also be a helping hand to those in need and uplift communities where every voice is heard and every story is valued.