Ariella Arida Under Intense Pressure

Having to represent the country into an international beauty pageant is both an achievement and a challenge in itself, especially when a representative do things on her own, without the benefit of familial influence, or a fan base so to speak. It's undeniably an advantage when a beauty pageant contestant has already established a name for herself like the late Rosario "Chat" Silayan, Melanie Marquez, Ruffa Gutierrez and Megan Young. By virtue of their family or stardom, catching the judges' fancy in the local pageant seems to be a given.

With that, when in international pageant scene, they easily stand out and most of the time end up being crowned or being runners-up.

Ariella Arida however did it all on her own. Aside from coping with the rigorous training and make-over, bashes and criticisms are also just around the corner. Not only that, having to represent the country after a successive Final 5 placement by the three previous representatives adds up to the pressure. Beauty pageant fanatics are expecting her to step up the game even more.The positive progression that Venus Raj's 4th Runner Up, Shamcey Supsup's 3rd Runner Up and Janine Tugunon's 1st Runner Up placement should -- by expectation --end up towards winning the third Miss Universe crown for the country. A dream we've been trying to pursue since Margarita Moran's win forty years ago.

Outside Miss Universe, fellow Binibining Pilipinas Mutya Johanna Datul's win as the first Miss Supranational and Megan Young's achievement as the first Miss World from the Philippines is another form of pressure for her.

The bashes she has been getting the past week is actually more than just a bash. It is actually a sense of worry that what if Ariella Arida doesn't replicate the same standing the previous representatives had? It's actually a fear that in the event Ariella Arida fails to step up the placement, Philippines would totally have to start from scratch like what happened after Miriam Quiambao's first runner up placement in 1999. It took 11 years for the Philippines to comeback into placement.

"When it rains, it pours", they say. In the past, Philippines got successive semi-finals placement not just in Miss Universe but Miss International and Miss World pageants as well.

Miss Universe

1969 - Winner - Gloria Diaz
1971 - Miss Photogenic - Valentina Vida Doria
1972 - Top 12 - Armi Barbara Crespo
1973 - Winner - Margarita Moran
1974 - Top 12 - Guadalupe Sanchez
1975 - Fourth Runner Up - Rosemarie Brosas

Miss World

1970 - Top 13 - Minerva Manalo Catagao
1972 - Top 13 - Evangeline Reyes
1973 - 1st Runner Up - Evangeline Pascual

Miss International

1969 - Top 15 - Margaret Orbe Montinola
1970 - Winner - Aurora Pijuan
1971 - 2nd Runner Up - Evelyn Santos Camus
1972 - 2nd Runner Up - Yolanda Adriatico Dominguez
1973 - 4th Runner Up - Maria Elena "Marilen" Suarez Ojeda

It was at this time 40 years ago that Philippines was considered a beauty pageant powerhouse. That prestige was snagged by Venezuela in early 80's and India in the 90's. Philippines has already gained momentum in getting this  accolade back.

Hopefully Ariella Arida doesn't get affected by the bashes being thrown at her the past week. With her showmanship in the pre-pageant modelling events, despite her not so impressive conversational skills, I begin to look at her as a strong contender for the crown. No doubt she'll advance to the Top 15 and should be making it to the succeeding cuts. Comes Final 5, she just have to enjoy the experience and claim the title subconsciously. When there is righteousness inside, it radiates a beautiful persona outside.

The question and answer portion is not all about wit, it's also about charm and being able to exude charm and grace under pressure.