Kapitulo 5
65Please respect copyright.PENANAJlZZ5aTNRR
65Please respect copyright.PENANAl1Bvrw1CNO
65Please respect copyright.PENANAnQ9kAPXZnZ
65Please respect copyright.PENANAmIvQnR9slD
We are now in the backstage area, and I don't know what happens next. I look at the crack in the curtain and saw Cyrex, sitting stiffly with his hand massaging his jaw. Looking somewhere. I motion the curtain sideways, went back to my place. While Miss Pangasinan couldn't get her sight off of me. Wondering, probably.
65Please respect copyright.PENANArfDt4hBgkO
I sit down on the chair. Freeing my breath, and take the brush with my hand. If he's the owner of this stadium, it means that I am dead. Knowing he'd do everything. To make me suffer. Roughly.
65Please respect copyright.PENANAV5x8xIlPuY
"Fereine," Miss Pangasinan calls me, and I turn around. "Congrats pala, ha. I know that you're nervous, but still you execute your stance.
65Please respect copyright.PENANASG7PV1SYvs
I smile, slightly. "Uh, yeah. Thanks."
65Please respect copyright.PENANA5Ddxfdf6dB
She went back to her vicinity. While I am busy fixing my hair. I look at the ground, take off my stilettos, and notice something is pin on my shoe. I got the pin. It's a paper. I open it and read the passage: I know that you're nervous, but I believe that you can. I will be there to sit and watch you. Good luck.
65Please respect copyright.PENANABFVlpYRMoY
I don't know if should I smile or not. But my lips can't help but jerk up. I shake my head, crumpled the paper, before pulling on my shoes and push myself as gracious as I could.
65Please respect copyright.PENANALUJbwNPHz7
We marched to the stage as instructed a few minutes later. We need to complete the round—the question and answer round. When I move my head to one side, there is no Ghad. My heart leaps for a second until somone waves at me, and I saw him sitting in a row next to Cyrex.
65Please respect copyright.PENANAIrJEC1RW31
I wave at him. He smiles. While Cyrex is seriously glaring at me, and pulls down his eyes to my heels. He smirks. I recall the texts written in teeny handwriting. I have to admit, this man would never let me go not until he got what he needed.
65Please respect copyright.PENANAqcd6ikgi8h
"Hello there, I'm back," and he then smiled at the audience. "Are you excited for this round?"
65Please respect copyright.PENANAhcqNwbe9YX
The crowds are yelling and some are chanting to their candidate. I know this portion will never be easy. If you're not prepared enough you might get tremble.
65Please respect copyright.PENANAn2XO2ElTOS
He exhales. "But before that, let me introduce our beautiful and handsome judges."
65Please respect copyright.PENANA3BfSpBd52y
He introduces them one by one until he stops at Cyrex, who's now staring at him. I study his face. He gave me a smirk that's evident from the screen as the camera man highlighted him.
65Please respect copyright.PENANA7wr0Q0lbkF
"Cyrex Resere, the owner and CEO of Growsman Shippinglines; the owner of RJC Arena where we're standing now," he jokes, and Cyrex's sight firms up at him. "He's also the grandson of the former president of the Republic of the Philippines, Frion Resere."
65Please respect copyright.PENANAgpHiGZg78l
The introductory process of the host is lame. That Cyrex almost yawned. The camera highlights him again, and he smiles at the monitor. And back to me.
65Please respect copyright.PENANAA4xf3M1R2M
"Now, let's begin with... Miss Pangasinan." His voice is beyond aloud.
65Please respect copyright.PENANADKq3I6x9BD
Miss Pangasinan walks into him, giving him a smile and past him to the judges. Her straight, jet black hair had made me look for her for a few seconds before switching my sight to Cyrex.
65Please respect copyright.PENANAEUImO79Gk7
"Miss Pangasinan, how are you?" he questions casually.
65Please respect copyright.PENANAn9IZtbqly5
She gave him a shy smile. "I'm good, how 'bout you?"
65Please respect copyright.PENANApXmBJa9W5n
"I'm... fine. Well, perhaps a little nervous but seemed not to notice," he muffles the last word, and all people were laughing. "Okay, we move on to that. Are you ready for your question?"
65Please respect copyright.PENANAfVlTVJKqVb
She nods her head. I saw the judge looking at her intently. The other ran a sight down to her body. I simply breathe. This is pageantry. If you want to choose this track rather than others, then you have to face immoral treatment of the people.
65Please respect copyright.PENANAdukFMkia6O
"What is the greatest factor in HIV and AIDS awareness?" The host glances at the card and back to her.
65Please respect copyright.PENANAPvV9K3nCeQ
She grasps the mic before speaking. "HIV and AIDs awareness has helped a lot of individuals to avoid getting infected. And for me, the greatest factor of this program is to mandate people to regard the horror value of this infectious disease. Let them use their agency to commit such an act that would and not harm them."
65Please respect copyright.PENANAK2KirlpBpM
After that, the crowds are yelling at her. While the man looks at her, amused by what she gave. Me either.
65Please respect copyright.PENANAa8quojY77R
He peeps at the card. "Miss Cagayan De Oro City. Please join me here on stage."
65Please respect copyright.PENANAhftsGIniMs
He asks her about self-education that the students were deemed to implement. And she gave a direct but on-point response, citing the issue of the country's education as the main reason for the event. Why do people prefer to self-educate rather than enrol in a formal education that will make them feel useless and worthless? Genius.
65Please respect copyright.PENANAUaULCCmrWj
He called five ladies and they answered the questions well. Though Miss Cebu City stuttered, she still nailed the right answer. Pointing weaknesses and putting them up to make her stronger. What a reply.
65Please respect copyright.PENANA7FCIPef5we
"Miss Manila," he pronouces, and she smiles walking into him. "What is the biggest contribution your society has made to the nation?"
65Please respect copyright.PENANA0CwaEGw4Xt
"The biggest contribution of my society is..." she pauses, hinting for an answer. "Is... um, to—to help the nation grow. Thank you."
65Please respect copyright.PENANApQ9xIouJ2h
The man on the stage looks in turmoil at her answer. Maybe she was just nervous, but I don't seem to have any wrong with her answer. That's how she viewed it.
65Please respect copyright.PENANACyH9j8nuUT
"Thank you, Miss Manila." He looks at the card. "Bulacan."
65Please respect copyright.PENANAqq6Kn7a3ZH
She walks unhurriedly to the centre of the stage. Waiting for her question. She has a rectangle body shape that made her more pretty, and her lips made her appearance glossy.
65Please respect copyright.PENANATxmE6pMDZP
"What's the purpose of freedom of the press?" he asks in a low tone.
65Please respect copyright.PENANAbPqq1EEJb3
"Good evening everyone. I would cite the word "freedom" in a nation. This freedom had helped us understand our society's composure and the opinions we hear. I believe that freedom of the press will become valid if we use it in a manner that's not degrading to someone. Thank you."
65Please respect copyright.PENANAA0uObROne2
"Thank you, Miss Bulacan." His lips twitches up into a line. "Bacolod."
65Please respect copyright.PENANAOpcAaedzn2
I look to the side as he called her name. I don't hate her, but it is better to avoid it than to make it void.
65Please respect copyright.PENANAooIevuZc7S
He almost yawned, but he resists it. "What legacy would you give to your children?
65Please respect copyright.PENANA1hQyuQVrwB
She licks her lips. "The lagacy that I would give to my children... is the beauty of their mother. They'll be facing the woman who gives them hope, and births them without any doubt. "
65Please respect copyright.PENANAh78BydspVZ
I raise an eybrow. Well, she's a point there. She's not making any mistakes right now. Maybe soon. Goodness, I'm just kidding.
65Please respect copyright.PENANABJVRhOOC6v
"Thank you, Miss Bacolod."
65Please respect copyright.PENANAucx3OdXKcc
He called six ladies, and none of them had the flaw of replying with the question. The audacity to respond factual information. It has made me respect them more.
65Please respect copyright.PENANAEoy52BdRxx
Cyrex's gaze became intense. His facial hair, which appeared to be growing on his cheek. Gave him a strong, masculine appearance. His thick lashes curl upward that made him look more dark. His nose tilts down on the paper as I am watching him closely. Clearly.
65Please respect copyright.PENANABFXU9IWYVY
"Ilo-Ilo City," he calls and she came into view. "Here is your question. What advice would you give to an electoral aspirant who wants to rule this nation? "
65Please respect copyright.PENANAas76Giwoae
Woah! That's a tough one. How could she address that if this was based on politics? What a question was that? Was that even a real question? God.
65Please respect copyright.PENANAF2p6krCjHt
She held the mic. "To all aspirants who want to rule this nation. I want to hear your mission, not just your vision. I want to see improvement and not a debasement of the economy. In short, I would like to give my best advice on becoming a leader, not a boss. That's all."
65Please respect copyright.PENANA8nm9FKky1I
"T-thank you, Miss Ilo-Ilo." He simply wipes the sweat beads on his brow.
65Please respect copyright.PENANAnxMEiu4fF1
He called Miss Butuan and Cotabato City. They gave a satisfactory answer that a judge should have listened to.
65Please respect copyright.PENANAckuV0o0PUY
He glances at the card, and his eyes lands on me. "Miss Makati."
65Please respect copyright.PENANAfw1PIePnbC
I walk into the centre of the stage. I fix my hair. Cyrex stares at me. And I can't help but avoid his sight that's close to scanning.
65Please respect copyright.PENANAinlTwpPEWe
"Miss Makati, here is your question. If you win the Nobel Prize award, what would you present to them that'd mirror of your nationality?"
65Please respect copyright.PENANAIhyFcKPPgq
I grasp the microphone, while Cyrex fixes his gaze on me. I breathe. "Winning such a prestigious award is such an honor. So, I will show to them our culture and local fabrics that would refine the vision of a true Filipino. Thank you."
65Please respect copyright.PENANAJ08qLQmFJ3
He grins, slightly. "Thank you, Miss Makati."
65Please respect copyright.PENANAA2FBNDRtzS
I smile at the crowd and went back to my place. While Ghad is just smiling at me. He's happy that I'm here, finally. I see it.
65Please respect copyright.PENANAiXVEw0UBwf
"Miss General Santos City, here is your question. If you were given a chance to change history, what would it be? And why?"
65Please respect copyright.PENANAVwuIYs7I1z
I dart my eyes at her. She's powerful in a way that a manner of braveness is on her tonight. And I knew she could answer well.
65Please respect copyright.PENANAaNRPhdJrDf
"If I were given a chance to change history, I would start by putting someone's regime into positivity. I would change the fallacy that he's an autocrat and a venal leader. A legend like him should have formal texts to the nation. Should not give fallacious data during his reign. He's a great and true leader that we need nowadays."
65Please respect copyright.PENANAoVHFX6Xz94
My eyebrows arched. How come they say it as if it's easy for them? These ladies were strong enough to acknowledge the truth and not abide by the hoax.
65Please respect copyright.PENANALORce1enjD
"There you go. Once again, your top twenty," he says it aloud, walk off the stage.
65Please respect copyright.PENANADb1ZwH0yHf
I breathe. We went backstage. We had a couple of minutes to prepare. Do retouch or whatever. I look at the mirror, guiding my hand to the hem of my dress. Fixing the disheveled part. It's a one-shoulder dress with glitters that gleams the night.
65Please respect copyright.PENANARKKD5njEow
"Sa tingin mo makukuha ako?" Miss Bacolod queries her peer.
65Please respect copyright.PENANA8AjV4Sfc55
"Oo naman, ang ganda kaya ng sagot mo," Miss Palawan retorts, fixing her hair.
65Please respect copyright.PENANAxlA1xdN4P5
I think they're friends. I don't have friends here. But I talk with Miss Pangasinan with civility. Aside from that, I've nothing but myself. It's better to be alone than to be someone's villain.
65Please respect copyright.PENANANNmIt3lMc3
"This is the moment of truth..." He gazes for a few seconds at the card and back to the camera. "From twenty powerful women down to ten who strongly fight the round."
65Please respect copyright.PENANA3I8fNbpmDQ
I still wear a smile even though I hate smiling at him. Cyrex winks at me and sips on his juice, showing off his perfect white teeth. I reckon he's seducing rather than motioning. Dirty man.
65Please respect copyright.PENANAzbQq6MYZSz
"The lady who will take the first spot is..." he pauses, and continues. "General Santos City."
65Please respect copyright.PENANA7doq6ToSDh
Wow! Well, she nailed it. She walks to the floor and turn sideways and did her pose.
65Please respect copyright.PENANA9UhbybC3e5
"Moving on to..." he pauses for a thrill. "Pangasinan."
65Please respect copyright.PENANAzRHMCSEfYR
Thy're shouting her name when she smiles at them. I really love the way she walks, smiles, even the way she looks at people. Deserving to be the one.
65Please respect copyright.PENANAyMyT6PHJJA
"You're in the top ten, miss..." he did it again. "Makati."
65Please respect copyright.PENANACTzR0rjRZr
I was close to shock. I don't know what to do. I walk onto the stage, did my pose, and stop next to Miss Pangasinan. I really love her dress, even before. When we're just rehearsing, I can't take my eyes off of her. She's like an innocent princess.
65Please respect copyright.PENANAeiVhrRlRIf
And he then called Miss Bulacan, Ilo-Ilo City, Cagayan de Oro City, Davao City, Bohol, Mandaluyong, and Zamboanga. These powerful women standing next to me are serious with their advocacy. And they were kind and responsive, too. We are all deserving for the title, I view.
65Please respect copyright.PENANANCHojt8UJa
"Everyone. Your top ten," he says in a manner of pleasing, walks off the stage.
65Please respect copyright.PENANAUEizo6mgbM
65Please respect copyright.PENANA9I8SGmJEUt
65Please respect copyright.PENANAP0VExNQuPX
65Please respect copyright.PENANAXWblWBk5aa
65Please respect copyright.PENANA4Hz0IZpI1g
65Please respect copyright.PENANA0vqgqTkGtM
65Please respect copyright.PENANA4XhVB6t4H3
65Please respect copyright.PENANAMZMAFzUYtV
65Please respect copyright.PENANAWP0n298Rwy
65Please respect copyright.PENANA2ryg3NRjub
65Please respect copyright.PENANA9FYGcNvAQE
65Please respect copyright.PENANAl4fE0JASmo
65Please respect copyright.PENANAYoxuvbLiZB
65Please respect copyright.PENANAd8Z0MkPVVv
65Please respect copyright.PENANAoBYJJnZxZb
65Please respect copyright.PENANAN44S0vr7vP
65Please respect copyright.PENANAMhG35PTo48
65Please respect copyright.PENANAHeiLpP7YKg
65Please respect copyright.PENANAPfA3iPuR6k
65Please respect copyright.PENANAMyegGFwlcJ
65Please respect copyright.PENANADrRtRuDWZa
65Please respect copyright.PENANAnz0SfGoCjA
65Please respect copyright.PENANAiC0bPDcUpk
65Please respect copyright.PENANA3FIxWEAnH7
65Please respect copyright.PENANAGgxYlHwdXR
65Please respect copyright.PENANABU2CiD44mS
65Please respect copyright.PENANA0zseKn663Y
65Please respect copyright.PENANAnlGoKt8WRZ
65Please respect copyright.PENANAROb7c3fOSW
65Please respect copyright.PENANAHJ1Izc7Ett
65Please respect copyright.PENANAOkLrI48J5P
65Please respect copyright.PENANAh5aGtHktqQ
65Please respect copyright.PENANACRGuiSw33l
65Please respect copyright.PENANAa4D7r8a08H
65Please respect copyright.PENANAaP9ye7FpOT
65Please respect copyright.PENANAa2Pge9yaAl
65Please respect copyright.PENANAeNB9m6K1yh
65Please respect copyright.PENANAXlrfoRthYY
65Please respect copyright.PENANAMZm8piDmBG
65Please respect copyright.PENANANRSjWduDx6
65Please respect copyright.PENANA2ucrJhqKVO
65Please respect copyright.PENANALvTtKZyxZ8
65Please respect copyright.PENANAT136EaP08m
65Please respect copyright.PENANA6GkMgChUjB
65Please respect copyright.PENANArCH8U8VBPf
65Please respect copyright.PENANA5wATasJo6M
65Please respect copyright.PENANAbeqLzbJQdZ
65Please respect copyright.PENANAwbwjEsYMuf
65Please respect copyright.PENANAGmqN3hfn55
65Please respect copyright.PENANAMsQm3WWjqJ
65Please respect copyright.PENANAaK9sw8ZaPV
65Please respect copyright.PENANAqhhonuOwXX
65Please respect copyright.PENANAV2Vq3cBuJK
65Please respect copyright.PENANAUO4XqJg9Ov
65Please respect copyright.PENANA9eoVPV6SME
65Please respect copyright.PENANADkzpFTmd0S
65Please respect copyright.PENANA2stXqAjX2s
65Please respect copyright.PENANAYSpniuJc0T
65Please respect copyright.PENANAYWqJT1eUDe
65Please respect copyright.PENANAm8fHCnNFx7
65Please respect copyright.PENANAAiBne8Se77
65Please respect copyright.PENANAD9hdsT6rCp
65Please respect copyright.PENANAJWmcRmnIbq
65Please respect copyright.PENANAtHYPyS6Ht6
65Please respect copyright.PENANAZIRlcEKYUX
65Please respect copyright.PENANAej3Lw1TeUG
65Please respect copyright.PENANAtZrcu42sn2
65Please respect copyright.PENANAVBjr3dTjVN
65Please respect copyright.PENANAXcMqao2IAR
65Please respect copyright.PENANAc901XX73cC
65Please respect copyright.PENANARAK4fVy5UE
65Please respect copyright.PENANAQPHOTPvEEj
65Please respect copyright.PENANAFr40JWWMwJ
65Please respect copyright.PENANASq7g7rIQuh
65Please respect copyright.PENANAt8JK4AC5Cn
65Please respect copyright.PENANATA345mDrcf
65Please respect copyright.PENANAhYS4486reE
65Please respect copyright.PENANAo5MwQl4DfZ
65Please respect copyright.PENANAEyVgvLqYIF
65Please respect copyright.PENANAPVsEsjQCuz
65Please respect copyright.PENANAiy7DNYgkdh
65Please respect copyright.PENANA3fyrKqPcxk
65Please respect copyright.PENANAP6N21esOqb
65Please respect copyright.PENANAVwa8khB1j5
65Please respect copyright.PENANAQUrL69bmRl
65Please respect copyright.PENANAJeOxWXb077
65Please respect copyright.PENANAmch7VDhZum
65Please respect copyright.PENANArNCCgFMF24
65Please respect copyright.PENANA6POT1dflXH
65Please respect copyright.PENANAMvZQv2aEtI
65Please respect copyright.PENANAvL1JXilMaD
65Please respect copyright.PENANA8AjYw4Obs4
65Please respect copyright.PENANAxYl7BaqLX1
65Please respect copyright.PENANAgvmzKQZhiF
65Please respect copyright.PENANAlcCyI5yohh
65Please respect copyright.PENANAz6hMPaASc4
65Please respect copyright.PENANAYzLdxTDMHe
65Please respect copyright.PENANApiy6K79OPn
65Please respect copyright.PENANAbLroUg33yN
65Please respect copyright.PENANAzaBeE4eWgm
65Please respect copyright.PENANARRgy8IXwk8
65Please respect copyright.PENANA5mpMC2E0UV
65Please respect copyright.PENANARenyf6GNdO
65Please respect copyright.PENANAzw4rNE1MyY
65Please respect copyright.PENANAI1WXMILr7P
65Please respect copyright.PENANADeZs6ZLlTp
65Please respect copyright.PENANASjWiLgBZjZ
65Please respect copyright.PENANA2Jir6OiLYk
65Please respect copyright.PENANAdi6pYsvmPD
65Please respect copyright.PENANAqG6ZH9mESe
65Please respect copyright.PENANAmQdVy4pggr
65Please respect copyright.PENANAAStx38LuK8
65Please respect copyright.PENANAIAZDqWB932
65Please respect copyright.PENANAQlwCZaQWbS
65Please respect copyright.PENANAPOB7R7velt
65Please respect copyright.PENANA5ghpu33whJ
65Please respect copyright.PENANAc9ExWdhdot
65Please respect copyright.PENANAZnZtfUEQNJ
65Please respect copyright.PENANAQ3jDYtBm9N
65Please respect copyright.PENANABUXUNgmACe
65Please respect copyright.PENANAj6DTfvAn6W
65Please respect copyright.PENANAntwDeuGadO
65Please respect copyright.PENANAdYjIJKwn4q
65Please respect copyright.PENANAA0kJ7yKLa2
65Please respect copyright.PENANAPuQpZDKV9Q
65Please respect copyright.PENANALHQt5zydYC
65Please respect copyright.PENANAfqxBoN9zWy
65Please respect copyright.PENANArvXm38YEot
65Please respect copyright.PENANAnxDlpe8CVo
65Please respect copyright.PENANA9lCRj4oQw0
65Please respect copyright.PENANADtT0sL2AVW
65Please respect copyright.PENANA3plW5SPhMR
65Please respect copyright.PENANA4PvY1s0Eq5
65Please respect copyright.PENANA3qQ0mNbsST
65Please respect copyright.PENANAzB25KXYooU
65Please respect copyright.PENANArOKkfol5QD
65Please respect copyright.PENANAT7zxg73Lqn
65Please respect copyright.PENANAyRv3RLDa8a
65Please respect copyright.PENANAufibd1SMbm
65Please respect copyright.PENANAPFL22CKc42
65Please respect copyright.PENANAoYf4Zl0TQL
65Please respect copyright.PENANAGMq5kmjD6K
65Please respect copyright.PENANAkYiECBzoBj
65Please respect copyright.PENANAEluY7Z3Kpf
65Please respect copyright.PENANA1IKlrUckkc
65Please respect copyright.PENANAOMr4gMSikH
65Please respect copyright.PENANAjzMXNzyoDx
65Please respect copyright.PENANAryJn9fyYmF
I look at Cyrex. His lips pull uphill and I slant my sight. My eyes wander to my cousin. He can't removed the smile, and I could see the joy every time we looked at each other. I look at my supporters who never stops yelling my name until we're instructed to go backstage again. I did it!
ns 172.70.130.149da2