Czarina Gatbonton: En Route to Miss World 2010!!!
Bb Pilipinas World 2010 Czarina Gatbondon
Adventures of a Beauty Queen says farewell to Czarina Gatbonton as she flies to China today, October 1, 2010, to represent the Philippines in the Miss World 2010 beauty pageant! Coronation night is October 30, 2010.
Bring home the crown sweetheart!!!
CZARINA GATBONTON: FISHERMAN’S DAUGHTER
Born into poverty in the province of Bulacan, Czarina Gatbonton grew up knowing the meaning of hardship. Although her parents were honest workers – her Dad was a fisherman and Mom a day-care worker, there would always be days without enough food to go around the table. Living on a small island also meant Czarina had to take a banca to get to school everyday. Rainy days were the worst – they meant shivering all day in a drenched school uniform. Then there would be nights when she would miss the last banca home and be forced to stay at a classmate’s place and wear the same clothes to school the next day.
Czarina Gatbonton - third grader at Pamarawan School
So it is a wonder to me that in the midst of that poverty, her parents chose the regal name of Czarina for their daughter. It must have been a sign of all their hopes and dreams for their little girl. But time dulled those aspirations and soon came the day when they believed that Czarina was destined for a hard life, just like them.
And that hard life would have most likely been permanent if Czarina hadn’t joined Bb. Pilipinas this year.
OVER-WHELMED TO BE A REAL CZARINA
Of course Czarina’s parents stand incredulous today and thankful at the same time that their daughter won Bb. Pilipinas World 2010 (or Czarina of the Philippines if I could rephrase that title!) Her Dad must be so glad today that he was always strict with her especially when it came to boys – he even once chased away a young man she liked – with an ITAK (an axe) of all things!
While her parents are still dumbfounded, Czarina says she finally believes it.
“Feel ko na talaga, na ako ang Bb. Pilipinas World 2010 winner. Sobrang saya!“
“I can feel it now that I am truly Miss Philippines World 2010. So happy!”
Czarina Gatbonton at her send-off party last September 28, 2010
At Czarina Gatbonton’s send-off, her parents were interviewed and it got quite emotional to the point of tears – most rags to fame stories are not complete without them, you know. According to her handler John dela Vega, Czarina cried like a baby.
And how can you blame her for being so over-whelmed? Czarina Gatbonton had to borrow money from friends and family just to join Bb. Pilipinas. After she won, her first 3 months of earnings all went to debts. But in risking it all, she won the World.
Czarina Gatbonton wins Miss Malolos 2009!
ON THE FAST TRACK TO FAME
Czarina’s rise to fame also happened in less than a year – after joining two Bulacan pageants in 2009 (and performing well in them) beauty queen trainer John dela Vega brought her to the initial screening of Bb. Pilipinas 2010. I spotted her then as a dark horse and included her in my list of favorites but did not expect her to win any of the major titles.
But I was overjoyed anyway when she won because Czarina Gatbonton deserves it! She also happens to occupy a special little spot in my heart – I was one of the judges in the 2nd Bulacan pageant she joined. I had the opportunity to see her when she was still ‘neneng-nene’ (childlike). Watching her grow from the slightly awkward college kid she was into the dark and lovely blossom she is today is a privilege I cherish.
IS CZARINA READY FOR MISS WORLD?
I also was priveleged enough to chat with her on the phone last Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010, during a special gathering she had with some close friends. The biggest question on my mind was this: is Czarina Gatbonton ready for Miss World 2010? Or is this just too much for a simple fisherman’s daughter?
I quickly figured out the answer to those questions when I heard her confident voice on the phone. This was a new and improved Czarina Gatbonton after months of training under the auspices of the Bb Pilipinas group. And because she wanted the Beauty Queen life so badly, she took her training seriously and found nothing too difficult to learn.
Can we have more Czarinas in pageants, please?
Czarina Gatbonton can speak for herself!
FIRST CHALLENGE: ENGLISH PROFICIENCY
But does she have the confidence to respond in English to the judges’ queries at Miss World 2010? Another question that I and Pinoy pageant fans have been asking. If you remember, Czarina Gatbonton was the only candidate in the Bb. Pilipinas 2010 beauty pageant to answer her question in Filipino. And while she spoke very nervously, I loved her answer and felt that she had the best content out of all the finalists.
Although our phone conversation was mostly held in Filipino and Taglish, Czarina claims ‘sanay’ na siya mag-English (she’s now used to speaking in English) and is more confident explaining herself in that language. While she might never join the ranks of the Grammar Police, what’s important to her is the ability to communicate and share her heart with people. After viewing tapes of past Miss World pageants, she’s come to realize that many of the contestants are just like her – not the best English speakers in town.
There are calls though for Czarina Gatbonton to be provided a translator for all Q&A sessions with judges. Czarina brushed off these requests saying she’s going to manage well enough without one. However, a visit to her handler John de la Vega’s Facebook yesterday yielded this status:
To her supporters and friends who wish that she will be allowed to answer in Filipino and provided with an interpreter, i am seeing a little spark of hope, so let’s pray for the best!
SECOND CHALLENGE: HOSTAGE CRISIS
Another concern: Miss World 2010 is being held in China. What are Czarina Gatbonton’s chances of winning when relations between China and the Philippines have been strained because of the Manila Hostage Crisis? Personally, I am very worried about this and I voiced my concerns to her.
But, there’s no dousing Czarina’s hope; she says there’s nothing to fear specially since two Filipinas have done well in pageants recently held in China: Gwendoline Ruais won Best Catwalk in the 2010 Asian Supermodel beauty contest in Guilin and Sabrinne Al-Tawil was one of the 15 finalists in the Miss Friendship International held in Hubei.
Miss Universe 2010 4th Runner-up Venus Raj with BFF Czarina Gatbonton
THIRD CHALLENGE: GOING BEYOND VENUS
With the Major Major 4th Runner-up victory of Venus Raj in the Miss Universe 2010 beauty pageant, is Czarina Gatbonton pressured to match that achievement or do better? Czarina admits the pressure is there and she’s feeling it as well as the comparison people are starting to make between them. But the close friendship she shares with Venus is helping her see beyond it all.
She remembers late night chats with Venus in the condo they shared. Czarina would tell Venus,
“Kailangan manalo ka sa Universe, ha!”
“You better win in the Miss Universe okay!”
and Venus would respond,
“oo, pag nanalo ako, mananalo ka din!“
“yes, and if I win, you’ll win too!
Prophetic words perhaps? I’m so hoping they are. The Philippines has yet to win the Miss World title – the closest we came was in 1973 when Vangie Pascual romped off with the 1st Runner-up sash. Czarina Gatbonton will be the 45th Filipina (if my math is correct) to attempt to bring home the elusive Miss World crown.
Click here to see Missosology’s list of successful Filipinas in the Miss World beauty pageant.
NOT LEAVING WITHOUT HER KEEPSAKES!
As Czarina Gatbonton embarks on her first ever trip abroad, she is bringing very special keepsakes. Three that she specifically mentioned were: a rosary from Miss Universe 4th Runner-up Venus Raj, the rosary she was holding in her hand when she won Bb. Pilipinas World 2010 and a little photo card of Jesus that was given to her by Dianne Necio, the 1st Runner-up in Czarina’s batch of Bb. Pilipinas 2010 beauty queens.
She’s also carrying a special message in her cellphone from her Mom –
“Ready ka na ba anak? Galingan mo ha? Ito na ang pangarap mo!”
“Are you ready child? Do well okay? This is your dream!”
Czarina, as you fly to China and face all these challenges, just remember that success is often about doing all the things people said you couldn’t do. God has you covered in his mighty hand and is using you to confound all the people who think they are so smart. So fly with grace and confidence knowing that you’re a David and not a Goliath!
Czarina Gatbonton on her island...
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Your article truly inspired several dreamers to pursue their dreams in life.
Instead of going within the negative side of someone else your featuring in your site, you’re lifting up their self esteem to be confident enough in their chosen endeavor.
God Bless and I will surely promote your style in writing among my colleagues and students.
JOEY RAMOS CABIGAO
Student Publication Adviser
Pamarawan High School
City of Malolos, Bulacan
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I have a feeling this girl will do well:-)
Im a perennial believer of a Cinderella story- this year, we were blessed with two Cinderellas. Venus, is on her way of getting everything that she wants. I think Czarina deserves it too. A fisherman’s daughter who only wished good things for her family. A girl who worked hard and not just waited for a jackpot in a lottery.
If there is justice in this world- the good forces will join hands in aligning the stars for Czarina’s success.
And even minus the drama- the girl is just consistently awesome. In most pics-she is even stronger than the favorites- Ms India or South Africa…. Czarina is different and a standout in a good good way
Yes Jay! Malakas talaga ang Cinderella effect!!! The saying that there is strength in weakness is SO true! We perceive poverty as a weakness but in the cases of Venus and Czarina, it has turned out to be their strength – not poverty itself of course, but the lessons they learned. I also think that because the odds were against them at the start, victory is more precious to them than those born with a golden spoon. So they walk through their reigns with a very thankful heart – women who walk this way glow with much beauty!
I hate to admit it but this is not the year of the mestiza, hehehe – but still praying that our beautiful mestiza queen Krista Arrieta will win Miss International 🙂 !!!
I wish Czarina the best as well. I’m just a little worried that she wasn’t on the Miss World Beach Beauty Top 40 list (MW press release Oct. 14). I was very surprised since Czarina is so exotically beautiful, has an awesome bod and a killer waistline to boot (are the judges blind?). What’s more frustrating is that candidates from China, Hong Kong and Mongolia (countries controlled by China) were on this list which leads me to doubt the judges’ impartiality.
The good news is that there are still several fast track awards that are up for grabs (including 2 fashion events, a talent and an athletic event). I’m really hoping Czarina gets her chance to shine in some of these events leading up to coronation night.
Hi there! Thanks for the update, I was side-line by painful news last week, but some major major good news made up for it. Will tell the story one day.
Yes, what you write about is worrisome but then again hasn’t it been traditional for judges to include the candidates of the host country in the line up of finalists?
Joyce — Yeah, you’re right. It’s reasonable to expect candidates from the host country to be included as finalists, but I was referring to the “Top 40” World Beach Beauty fast track preliminaries. I had a chance to view some of the candidates who made it to this list and (not to put down the other candidates but.. ) Czarina should have been up there.
BTW, Miss Puerto Rico Yara Lasanta (who is a spitting image of Rima Fakih) won the World Beach Beauty fast track competition. This guarantees her a spot as a semifinalist.
Also, thanks for the great write up on KrisTa Kleiner! I wish her the best.
That is irritating, grrrrr… sorry I haven’t been able to keep track with pageant news – thanks to hormones and some crappy news I had an emotionally bad week that just left me gobsmacked, then my daughter got picked up for an educational soap opera (which brought me out of the doldrums) and now I’m getting ready to leave for Thailand so it’s one thing after another for me!
But I sincerely appreciate the comments and updates! Thanks J!
Helllo Joyce!
I was teary-eyed after reading this. Czarina and I live in Malolos City and I know how hard it is to live in a small island of Pamarawan. I do not know her personally but my heart goes to her because she inspires me. I am hoping for the best and I believe she is really ready to compete in China.
Czarina Gat-B should be sent to Miss Universe 2011 and not Miss World. Miss World’s winners are predetermined by the owner Julia Morley and Philippines has no chance of winning. Unlike in Miss Universe na kitang kita mo na patas ang laban, Miss World, lutong luto. The winners are not even surprised when their names are called kasi alam na nila ang resulta. Kung sa Miss U 2011 siya lalaban, pasok ang 23 inches waistline niya sa bumubuo ng MUO.
Lets see what happens Braggart when Oct 30 comes around. Her waistline I hear is now down to 22.5 inches. WOW!
Joyce,
Another well-written piece (as usual!), Joyce.
I also had the chance to chat with Czarina before she left.
She’s more than a hundred percent confident that she’ll do well in Miss World. Her confidence alone will spell a great difference in how she will perform in the pageant. Physically, I think she is in tiptop shape–she is in her best form. The English proficiency issue? Well, I’d still be more comfortable and optimistic if she is provided a translator. Then again, we’ve seen non-English speaking candidates win the crown in the past.
My thoughts: Czarina will give her best and she might just get noticed. Whatever the outcome will be, we have the assurance that our girl gave her very best efforts to win the crown. Let’s just hope that winning the crown is really God’s will for her.
To Czarina, all the best dear!
If she can answer with regal confidence, and with solid content the judges I think will excuse any deficiency in grammar etc. Hoping that the Venusian fortune will be transferred to Czarina 🙂 Let’s hope Venus’ winning attitude rubbed off on Czarina 🙂 and that God’s will is for the PHilippines to bring home the crown this year! Thanks for reading my blog Joee, I am honored. When are we launching our pageant? LOLOLOL!
Joee — I agree with you. I would rather see Czarina (or any candidate for that matter) answer in the language she is most fluent and most comfortable using during critical interviews and the Q&A portion so she can focus single-mindedly on the substance of her answer — rather than her English vocabulary and grammar. It will also buy her precious TIME! Even half a minute will give her an edge. She could already be thinking up an answer at the same time her interpreter is translating the question — just like recently crowned Miss Universe from Mexico who understood and spoke English but opted for an interpreter during the Q&A. Obviously, her strategy worked.
Many non-English speaking candidates have won the Miss World crown. For example, Venezuela has won it 5 times. More recent winners include Russia, China and Peru, none of whom were fluent in English and opted for interpreters. Besides, it would be refreshing to hear Filipino being spoken at an international pageant for all the world to hear!
Yes, there’s a lot of strategy involved in the Q&A. 🙂 She can also opt to have a translator but still attempt to answer in English. HAve there been candidates that did that in the past?
Joyce,
Yes, at a different pageant — during the final Q&A of the Miss Universe 2008 pageant, Colombia and Venezuela used a Spanish interpreter, but each attempted to answer in English. Venezuela (Dayana Mendoza) won that year, and Colombia placed first runner up. Here’s a link to that video:
What I meant by “strategy” during the Q&A is that the use of an interpreter by someone who understands English gives that candidate valuable time to think, and to gradually construct her answer during the Q&A.
Miss Peru who won Miss World in 2004 during her interview as one of the top 5 is a great example. Here’s a link to that YouTube video:
The irony is that she was the only one among the top 5 who opted for an interpreter. And she won.
Another irony is that Miss Philippines (Karla Bautista) who gave such a terrific answer in very fluent English placed 4th runner-up (Karla should have ranked higher! Much higher. Grrrr).
Joyce — I forgot to thank you for the wonderful article on Czarina. What an inspiring story! She must truly be an amazing person to have been able to swim against the current. I wish her the best!
Thanks Much J! And thanks for the trivia in your previous comment. It’s really hard to tell what the judges are looking for and the best we can do is learn from experience and keep improving the way we train our girls 🙂
Yes, buying time with a translator is definitely smart. And judges don’t give minus points for having a translator anyway.
thanks a lot for this article ma’am..you’ve always been so supportive of our local queens and I hope you’ll never get tired of being one in the future..May God bless you and Czarina as well for the upcoming MW..:) she is such an inspiration for little girls wih big dreams but dont have enough resources…=)
Kris, at this point, Czarina’s friends are still trying to find ways to get her parents tickets to China to watch the coronation night. While Czarina’s fame is secure, finances are still a challenge so keep that in your prayers!