Chapter 24

And the Lady Pearl of the Philippines is . . . Drumroll, Please!

 

 

 

The Untold Story of Cleo Walter

People see her as Director Everett’s daughter, the trying-hard actor, the extra, the talent, the wannabe model, and the wild heartbreaker. But she is Cleo Walter, an actor-turned-beauty queen.

Cleo has kept her silence amidst her issues with her father and her supposed biggest movie break. Now, she’s breaking her silence and speaking up: “I walked away from something that’s never been mine, to begin with.”

Cleo Walter has admitted she wants to prove to her father that she can be as good as he is. She refuses to acknowledge that her roles are because of her father. In fact, she’s stated that they’ve never really been on good terms. When she got the lead role in the movie The Boyfriend Switch, she knew it was about time she got a spotlight of her own, but days into shooting the film, she realized it was not for her. She’d been so caught up in the idea of working alongside Direk Everett that she never really considered what she wanted inside or outside her acting career.

Cleo planned to resign from the cameras and the big and small screens but when she found out about pageantry, she told herself she’d give the spotlight one last shot. In Reign of Queens beauty camp, she’s learned tremendously about the true essence of being a beauty queen. And it’s not just walking on the stage with her beautiful smile; it’s standing up in front of millions of people and representing the place’s history, culture, tradition, and lifestyle. Being a beauty queen means carrying that knowledge within her.

The national pageantry season is set for tomorrow, April 25th, and Cleo’s ready to take the crown.

 

 

The stage is set, the candidates are behind the grand opening of the curtains like they’re in a play. They’re wearing a traditional Filipiniana dress backstage, but with a twist. Elle has raised her concerns that their opening act be done according to the idea she suggested—a Gabriela Silang-themed-style costume.

Their Gabriela Silang outfit has a chiffon ruffle, flared long-sleeved loose top and a flowing skirt. They each wear a head tie. While others have their hair in a braid or ponytail, Cleo’s head tie is in a twisted halo, her mermaid hair is loosely curled. She recounts last night’s dinner with her family as she and the other candidates prepare for their entrance.

Over dinner, Cleo told them about the competition tomorrow. Anne was unusually quiet, which made her worry, so she had to ask her what was wrong

“There’s nothing wrong, Leo. It’s . . .”

“Be honest. What is it?” Cleo asked Anne.

Thea held her hand and answered for Anne, “She’s concerned about you. We don’t want you to be disappointed again. I don’t think we can bear to watch you crumble.”

Oh. They were afraid she wasn’t going to win. They were terrified of how she would react if she lost the competition. But they didn’t need to worry too much. She did everything that she could do to survive this one.

“Just trust me, I’ll own this,” Cleo told them as she went on enjoying her dinner.

“Sorry, Leo, I just don’t want you to be sad again.”

Cleo smiled at Anne. “I’ll do my best, okay? Kaya ko’ to!”

“I know you can.” Anne smiled happily for Cleo.

When they finished dinner, Thea talked to Cleo, wrapping her in an embrace and assuring her she could do this.

“I’m proud of you, Cleo,” Thea said sweetly. “I wish your dad were here to see you.”

Cleo hoped he would see her, because she was about to prove him wrong. She was going to make him regret leaving them.

Now, taking a peek at the audience, Cleo sees the crowd in the coliseum, cheering for their respective bets. The overall design of the stage had been altered. It’s morphed to look more like an island and a tropical beach. The lighting is in shades of orange, red, and yellow. Sand fills the bottom side of the stage, glinting against the golden glow of the mock-up sun, illuminating the platform with its bedazzling sparkles. Only then is she hit by the realization that there’s no going back now. She has to take a step and make her way out in total confidence.

When the competition begins, there’s no stopping it.

As soon as Sia’s Titanium plays, the VTR rolls on the wide LED screens, giving the audience a glance at every candidate’s twirl and walk. Moments later, they come out from backstage, engulfed by blinding lights and loud cheers from the crowd. The national flag is raised in the middle, and the candidates surround it in a semi-circle, saluting before presenting their opening number. Side to side, they sway their hips, embodying a true Filipina with beauty and grace.

Walking across the stage, the candidates strut around to present themselves, waving and smiling. They turn around, raising one hand in the air and then swiftly bringing it back down to their thighs. Giving it her all, Cleo projects a beauty beyond the physical look. Once the dancing has ended, they revert to their usual pose with their hands placed on their hips. One by one, they introduce themselves. When Cleo turns around, she finds out that her bandanna has gone missing. Still, she introduces herself without missing a beat.

Facing thousands of people, Cleo musters the courage to speak her name aloud. “Cleo Walter, twenty-four, Quezon City!”

The audience bursts into loud cheers.

In the competition, Gaby and Kim, famous hosts of big events, enter the stage in matching black and white outfits with Gaby’s lips painted in candy apple red. They welcome this year’s national pageant theme “Bold, Brave, and Beautiful” through anecdotes of the courage it takes for a candidate to get there. Momentarily, the top twenty-five finalists are announced, and Cleo’s the first one to be called. She sees Elle smiling at her from the VIP section, pleased that she got in.

Where has she been all this time? Cleo thought.

“As the list goes on, the stakes and tension are high for these hopeful ladies. Who do you think will be the next one, Kim?” Gaby turns to Kim.

“We won’t know until we read the names, so let’s find out.”

All eight of Elle’s beauty camp candidates are called names and are still part of the top twenty-five.

“Congratulations to the top twenty-five ladies!” Gaby announces, thrilled with the results. “But this contest is far from over. The swimsuit round is up next to add more spice under the sizzling heated battle.”

On cue, the candidates instantly wave and smile at the camera. After a while, they proceed backstage to change into their swimsuits. While changing, Cleo keeps hearing Lady Rizal fishing for compliments.

“Does the swimsuit look good on me? I really can’t wait for this night to be over and be crowned!” Lady Rizal cries out loud for everyone to hear.

“Don’t be so sure.” Cleo winks at Lady Rizal, flaunting her butt. “We’re not done yet.”

In response, Lady Rizal simply flashes Cleo a smile, saying, “Try not to lose your bandanna next time. That was very irresponsible of you.”

Cleo’s sure she had the bandanna with her. She has no idea who took it, but she has a good hunch that Lady Rizal had something to do with it. It doesn’t matter. She’ll do great even without it.

After the panel of judges is introduced, the candidates stroll out again and give their very best, exposing their sensuality. As Cleo has wonderfully toned legs, she strolls in great strides, strutting in a smooth rhythm. She twirls around, flirtatiously giving the audience a heated look. Caught up in the lively, upbeat music, she’s learned to enjoy the intensity of the competition.

And as the competition drags on, the long gown competition ensues. It’s the loveliest time of the evening, and the candidates are brilliantly dressed in multicolored gowns, sparkling in splendid designs from Filipino designers.

Do, for one, designed Cleo’s gorgeous off-the-shoulder tulle long-sleeved pearl pink dress. Proud of her gown, Cleo takes her time on the stage as she walks, captivating the many curious eyes of the spectators and judges. Not much later, the candidates have been reduced to fifteen, and she’s still in the competition. And then the awaited Question and Answer session rolls around.

The candidates will be called randomly by the eight judges; five men and three women from entertainment, pageantry, modeling agencies, government, and corporate business. While the names are shuffled, Cleo’s heart beats loudly, crashing against her chest. Her mind’s running with hundreds of questions she’s heard from the camp.

As Cleo’s trying to calm her nerves, her name is called. She moves forward and gracefully smiles at the judges, greeting none other than Selene Montenegro. Despite the jolt, Cleo keeps her smile, already imagining a thousand scenarios.

“If you could go back to the past and meet your fifteen-year-old self, what would you say to her?” Selene asks.

Cleo doesn’t even need to think of this one, so she answers right away. “If I could go back to the past and meet my fifteen-year-old self, I would tell her that there’s more to life than just living a dream come true. It’s putting that dream to good use because, in the end, what matters is that we are able to face ourselves because of what we’ve done for others. Thank you.”

The crowd applauds, impressed by what Cleo has just said. They understand her. She feels unstoppable.

Finally, the Q and A comes to an end, and the hosts call on the candidates for the special awards. Cleo wins as Best in Long Gown, Best in Swimwear, and Lady Photogenic. Thankfully, most of the top fifteen are from Elle’s camp.

Nearing the end, last year’s set of queens, Lady International, Lady Global, Lady Intercontinental, and Lady Pearl of the Philippines, have begun to walk their final walks.

“And now it’s time to place a crown to the new rightful heirs,” Gaby proclaims. “Are you ready for it, Kim?”

Kim smiles at Gaby. “As ready as this crowd!” A roar comes up from the seats.

“Well, then, without further ado, we shall present the four queens starting with the Second Runner Up.” Gaby reads the envelope and then announces the results. “Lady Caloocan City!”

Cleo’s genuinely happy for Lady Caloocan City. As the candidates take the crowns, she’s still waiting and hoping for her name to be called last. Nadia is named the first runner-up, while the rest of the candidates in their beauty camp are still hoping to be the next Lady Pearl of the Philippines.

“And the next lady to be crowned will carry with her a big responsibility . . .” Kim trails off, further building up anticipation. “Representing the Philippines is . . .”

This is the moment that terrifies Cleo out of her wits. She has done everything and then some to come this far. She isn’t going to let herself down, win or lose. She knows deep within her that she has done her best to walk the stage, to smile sincerely and answer honestly.

 

LADY QUEZON CITY, CLEO WALTER!

 

Stunned, Cleo gasps, in awe of what she has just won. Astonished, speechless, even breathless. She realizes she’s crying. Her heart is full to overflowing. She’s forever grateful to have won the crown. And God, that crown feels good on her head.