THE moment Julie Ann Tarrayo steps on the stage, she knows the 2018 Miss Pintados crown is destined for her.
Others may call it as sheer luck, but for this 5’9” stunner from Allen, Northern Samar, winning the Eastern Visayas’ most prestigious beauty pageant is simply a combination of science and positivity.
“I always remind myself to create from the mind. Success is science,” the 23-year-old beauty queen said.
“I worked hard for it and I believe that I can make it,” she added.
The eldest among six siblings, Julie learns the value of discipline, positive thinking, faith in God, and caring for others early in her life.
Her father Rafael is a retired policeman while her mother Renelyn stays at home to give focus on their children's needs.
As the typical eldest sister, Julie spends a lot of time taking care of her siblings--the youngest of whom is seven years old-- showering them with love, support, and attention.
While she belongs to a big family, Julie says the constant atmosphere of love, respect, and encouragement at home reinforces her “can-do” belief system.
She grew up with a strong sense of purpose because of the “good discipline” instilled by her parents.
“We have a curfew at home,” she says in a matter-of-fact tone.
Yet for Julie, the curfew helps her understand the value of time, saying it should be spent wisely to achieve one’s dream.
Born on January 7, 1996, Julies carries the mark of a Capricorn, setting “high standards for themselves, but their honesty, dedication, and perseverance make them excellent managers.”
The willingness to work hard is just but natural to her. Aptly said, Julie is loyal to her dream.
“If I will be Miss Pintados, I will advocate and raise my voice to spread awareness about the children’s rights which under the Presidential Decree 603 or the Child and Youth Welfare Code, every child has the right for a balanced diet, adequate clothing, sufficient shelter and proper medical attention. In the case of street children, if the parents can’t take care of them, the state can come to protect because every child has the right to live a normal life,” came Julie’s response during the final question and answer segment of the 2018 Miss Pintados pageant at the Leyte Academic Center in Palo, Leyte.
Her meaningful advocacy captured the mind of the judges and the heart of the audience.
She also bagged the Miss AIM Global Tacloban, Best in Swimsuit, and Best in Evening Gown awards, aside from a trip to Hong Kong and P60,000 cash prize.
“Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we'll ever do,” Julie said on winning the title.
“To be crowned as Miss Pintados 2018 is the biggest achievement by far in my pageantry journey,” she added.
While her journey of becoming Miss Pintados was never easy, Julie finds refuge from her family and pageant team as they hurdle the challenges along the way.
“We stayed positive,” she added.
New role
Julie knows that the fame brought by the Pintados crown is something which she could not keep forever.
Like a real queen, what is important to her is the legacy she could leave to her successor and to the people she served.
“I always tend to look at the brighter side of life because I believe that what I think about I bring about. So in order for me to attract positive vibration, I myself should be on a positive note as well,” she said.
Julie is taking an extra step on her new role as Leyte’s ambassadress of goodwill, saying that being the Miss Pintados is both a responsibility and a prestigious role.
“I have to be a responsible role model to these children. I have to be knowledgeable enough when it comes to their rights,” she said.
“Good thing, I have a lawyer friend whenever I am also not sure of some concerns,” Julie added.
The time she spent for Pintados Foundation’s outreach activities humbled her.
“In 2018, we had an activity wherein we gave school supplies to the pupils of a small barangay in Dagami, Leyte. I had the chance to talk about the importance of education and offered some words of encouragement,” Julie said while thanking the Junior Chamber International-Tacloban for the partnership.
Looking at the impact of her new role to the community, Julie hopes to have more charitable projects.
“I want to share more so I am coordinating with my Pintados Foundation family to have more activities like this,” she said.
“Science of Success”
Since college, Julie has been drawn to James Arthur Ray’s book “Science of Success.”
“Since then it became my guiding principle in life,” she said.
“I have these laws that I am applying in my everyday life,” Julie added while thanking God for helping her understand these laws.
According to Julie, one of the laws she keeps close to her heart is the “Law of Rhythm.”
“It can be compared to a pendulum which when swung to the left must come back to the right. You will have highs and lows intellectually, emotionally and physically, however through understanding, you can be at your best regardless of the situation,” she said of her new knowledge.
The other laws straight from Ray's book which she tries to master are the Law of Vibration (similar to Law of Attraction), Law of Polarity, Law of Cause and Effect, Law of Gender, Law of Relativity and Law of Perpetual Transmutation.
“I wouldn’t be where I am now without these laws,” Julie said.
Off camera and off stage, Julie is a jolly, funny person.
To reward herself, Julie spends time reading books and writing poems.
If she’s not on her favorite book, she is planning her next getaway, like frolicking on the beaches around Eastern Visayas.
“My favorite destination is the Pink Beach in San Vicente, Northern Samar,” Julie proudly said.
At home, Julie maintains her role in the family and in her circle of friends.
“I am the usual ate (older sister) whom you can ask advice from but that doesn’t imply that I know everything already,” she said.
With her newfound title as a beauty queen, Julie admits that she is still learning the ropes.
“I know I have a lot to learn when it comes to life. I am just open to sharing my lessons and experiences in life with the people I care about and even to a random person whom I think need it,” Julie added whose reign as 2018 Miss Pintados will end on June 21.
As a tourism management graduate from Northwest Samar State University in Calbayog City, Julie worked at the luxury resort and casino City of Dreams Manila before joining the Miss Pintados.
She, however, resigned last May so she can focus on her modelling career. Her first job was with United Airlines.
Today, Julie is starting another journey by joining in the first Ambassador and Ambassadress of the World- Philippines 2019.
She is representing her home province of Northern Samar.
“Unfathomable. That's what my life is. I live and love. I have a purpose so I must fulfill it,” Julie said. (SunStar Philippines)