The “Woman” has always played a major role in many aspects of life.

When I was growing up in Biñan, Laguna, families were hooked following the radio serial on “Ilaw sa Tahanan” which delineated the “ideal wife and mother” in the family.

The first Miss Universe in the ‘50s, where Armi Kuusela of Finland won, showed how a woman from her secluded place in the home, could go out from her comfort zone to be a leader in her community, country, then the world.

This concept has been intact in the quest for then Miss Cebu Tourism, a search for beauty with grace and wisdom.

This year’s search for Miss Cebu again situates the Cebuana as a catalyst to abet the pandemic through proactive community service.

Before the pageant, like in the previous years, the Miss Cebu contenders attended a series of seminars about the Cebu history and culture, social graces, ethics, and protocol, team building and effective communication.

The Miss Cebu Tourism and thereafter, Miss Cebu title holders proved their worth in the national and international competitions.