IT WAS a bittersweet victory for Miss Juliet Angeline Debuyan-Alvarez, the newly crowned Miss Lin-ay sang Sipalay, who made it to the top despite the challenges that she withstood in her journey to earn the beauty title.
Alvarez, an 18-year-old lass, and a first-year college student taking up Bachelor of Science in Accountancy at the University of Saint La Salle, Bacolod, outwitted other ladies who competed for the crown.
She was grateful that she made it to the top despite the fact that she was left alone to prepare for the said pageant considering that her 7-year old younger brother who endured acute lymphoblastic leukemia had relapsed and their parents had to bring her brother to Manila to proceed anew with his medication.
“It wasn’t easy. In fact, it was extremely difficult, especially in the preparation stage. I had to be strong and independent. Thank God that I still had my family, friends, and my team, who helped me withstand the rigors of the pageant,” she said.
Miss Alvarez also won as Best in Advocacy (Stand Up To Cancer), Best in Talent, Best in Production Number, Best in Burangoy Festival Attire, Best in Swimsuit, Best in Evening Gown, Miss People’s Choice, and Miss San Miguel Beer.
“It was indeed a bittersweet victory, but I will always be grateful to God for answering my prayers. This is not the end, this only just marks the beginning of my journey,” she said.
Furthermore, she said she was able to value humility and faith in God.
“I had to keep my faith stronger to be able to see the good in every situation and just trust God’s plans,” she said.
“As the new Lin-ay sang Sipalay it is my greatest honor to stand with my beloved hometown in our dream of becoming a more progressive city and to help inspire my fellow Sipalaynons towards achieving greater heights,” she added.
She said that she grew up in a society where women whose physical flaws are never considered to be beautiful.
“One of the reasons why I joined Lin-ay Sang Sipalay is to help empower and inspire my fellow women and to remind them that having flaws and imperfections are normal; what’s important is that we learn to accept ourselves for who we are and never let such shortcomings become a hindrance in the pursuit of our dreams. I had always wanted to join beauty pageants, but was reluctant maybe because of my body. Back in my 10th grade at Holy Rosary Academy in 2016 where a pageant was held I was eager to join the pageant. That time, I couldn’t care anymore as to what will the other people would think and say about me because the only thing that is more powerful than my insecurities is my passion to pursue my dream. And so, I joined the pageant and I was able to win my very first crown. I can say that that pageant has strengthened my confidence and has made the people see my potentials,” she shared.