Kapitulo 5
143Please respect copyright.PENANAcMhMXAwKsU
143Please respect copyright.PENANAx0sYA27bli
143Please respect copyright.PENANATKFyR4MH0A
143Please respect copyright.PENANACLaSLu3JaZ
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.
143Please respect copyright.PENANALPZ6vUSEox
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.
143Please respect copyright.PENANAlFRk9j58v4
"Fereine," Miss Pangasinan calls me, and I turn around. "Congrats pala, ha. I know that you're nervous, but still you execute your stance.
143Please respect copyright.PENANAlz6IhpxER2
I smile, slightly. "Uh, yeah. Thanks."
143Please respect copyright.PENANApiWOGUMIMB
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.
143Please respect copyright.PENANANctebIcZp3
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.
143Please respect copyright.PENANAXMNAFv6bhX
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.
143Please respect copyright.PENANA21Sih9seY4
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.
143Please respect copyright.PENANAZ7bglq8Ian
"Hello there, I'm back," and he then smiled at the audience. "Are you excited for this round?"
143Please respect copyright.PENANAu2aag9kGau
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.
143Please respect copyright.PENANAwFxFY4pUK4
He exhales. "But before that, let me introduce our beautiful and handsome judges."
143Please respect copyright.PENANAsK5clgmthd
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.
143Please respect copyright.PENANADfdxsNbySw
"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."
143Please respect copyright.PENANAYA0eDCIVaQ
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.
143Please respect copyright.PENANA9sFRbCjJ9g
"Now, let's begin with... Miss Pangasinan." His voice is beyond aloud.
143Please respect copyright.PENANA1quZCqVAY8
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.
143Please respect copyright.PENANAEdCVkIixAj
"Miss Pangasinan, how are you?" he questions casually.
143Please respect copyright.PENANAql4BcEmJer
She gave him a shy smile. "I'm good, how 'bout you?"
143Please respect copyright.PENANAbI7RhaqKGC
"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?"
143Please respect copyright.PENANAkgLwzm1ZCj
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.
143Please respect copyright.PENANApJWLdzWhtW
"What is the greatest factor in HIV and AIDS awareness?" The host glances at the card and back to her.
143Please respect copyright.PENANActFGeIBBwg
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."
143Please respect copyright.PENANAsuPZlA7jju
After that, the crowds are yelling at her. While the man looks at her, amused by what she gave. Me either.
143Please respect copyright.PENANAeDSyUpuwQs
He peeps at the card. "Miss Cagayan De Oro City. Please join me here on stage."
143Please respect copyright.PENANACBwCM0VQKz
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.
143Please respect copyright.PENANANxSujzZTPQ
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.
143Please respect copyright.PENANA4otKAQVQ0O
"Miss Manila," he pronouces, and she smiles walking into him. "What is the biggest contribution your society has made to the nation?"
143Please respect copyright.PENANA6UH8cv2h3O
"The biggest contribution of my society is..." she pauses, hinting for an answer. "Is... um, to—to help the nation grow. Thank you."
143Please respect copyright.PENANAzvUgkZbYe7
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.
143Please respect copyright.PENANAMdlI7t1Wyq
"Thank you, Miss Manila." He looks at the card. "Bulacan."
143Please respect copyright.PENANA4kIz89i6ef
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.
143Please respect copyright.PENANAV18EU7DEmZ
"What's the purpose of freedom of the press?" he asks in a low tone.
143Please respect copyright.PENANA2THPdWJ3Qq
"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."
143Please respect copyright.PENANAOXguVgyAgj
"Thank you, Miss Bulacan." His lips twitches up into a line. "Bacolod."
143Please respect copyright.PENANAS91L5TkH5W
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.
143Please respect copyright.PENANAuGuLGJYHwZ
He almost yawned, but he resists it. "What legacy would you give to your children?
143Please respect copyright.PENANACtkfvylUrU
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. "
143Please respect copyright.PENANA1hUIyZyBJv
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.
143Please respect copyright.PENANAM2f6fEXfjn
"Thank you, Miss Bacolod."
143Please respect copyright.PENANAvFYqaMOExa
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.
143Please respect copyright.PENANA7wASlG5xNM
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.
143Please respect copyright.PENANAx8bmzuVkyl
"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? "
143Please respect copyright.PENANAGkRHC8SpHi
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.
143Please respect copyright.PENANAhrQq58O2fY
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."
143Please respect copyright.PENANA32IhV1Qk82
"T-thank you, Miss Ilo-Ilo." He simply wipes the sweat beads on his brow.
143Please respect copyright.PENANAze84f2tpIO
He called Miss Butuan and Cotabato City. They gave a satisfactory answer that a judge should have listened to.
143Please respect copyright.PENANASDkhkKySPv
He glances at the card, and his eyes lands on me. "Miss Makati."
143Please respect copyright.PENANAWFMe6mNkI2
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.
143Please respect copyright.PENANAHGuoq2Hp73
"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?"
143Please respect copyright.PENANAfbq7xSl0Ld
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."
143Please respect copyright.PENANAuVTvqzyrUU
He grins, slightly. "Thank you, Miss Makati."
143Please respect copyright.PENANArxpXjPBnkQ
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.
143Please respect copyright.PENANAlQwM5Rm2mD
"Miss General Santos City, here is your question. If you were given a chance to change history, what would it be? And why?"
143Please respect copyright.PENANAP1zJs523RN
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.
143Please respect copyright.PENANAAeFShyYL7A
"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."
143Please respect copyright.PENANA5Exh6PtKsd
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.
143Please respect copyright.PENANAzJsLGBNpwE
"There you go. Once again, your top twenty," he says it aloud, walk off the stage.
143Please respect copyright.PENANAgreHY4YxNW
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.
143Please respect copyright.PENANAAgyBI3Xo3c
"Sa tingin mo makukuha ako?" Miss Bacolod queries her peer.
143Please respect copyright.PENANAPRpUu4BxeY
"Oo naman, ang ganda kaya ng sagot mo," Miss Palawan retorts, fixing her hair.
143Please respect copyright.PENANAYgoNhNzRlm
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.
143Please respect copyright.PENANAI2JGcwcG8Z
"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."
143Please respect copyright.PENANAQaSxwxZCnq
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.
143Please respect copyright.PENANA5pcaz8PozY
"The lady who will take the first spot is..." he pauses, and continues. "General Santos City."
143Please respect copyright.PENANALDKe46vlbq
Wow! Well, she nailed it. She walks to the floor and turn sideways and did her pose.
143Please respect copyright.PENANAxIooFZYAU0
"Moving on to..." he pauses for a thrill. "Pangasinan."
143Please respect copyright.PENANAsfdRgVso22
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.
143Please respect copyright.PENANATJ3PHbzf17
"You're in the top ten, miss..." he did it again. "Makati."
143Please respect copyright.PENANAPkGFeKpPiD
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.
143Please respect copyright.PENANAWZZrr7c3H6
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.
143Please respect copyright.PENANAMsO8NYGWMA
"Everyone. Your top ten," he says in a manner of pleasing, walks off the stage.
143Please respect copyright.PENANAUabAZVp0vL
143Please respect copyright.PENANA63W9fJa8sR
143Please respect copyright.PENANADzSswveXBe
143Please respect copyright.PENANA1iv7bwkomc
143Please respect copyright.PENANA8nPddAvrzO
143Please respect copyright.PENANAxHhxIuTfR6
143Please respect copyright.PENANA5LzNUFSBcv
143Please respect copyright.PENANAC1n301COMU
143Please respect copyright.PENANAMVFaN1ucrQ
143Please respect copyright.PENANAtduwLoy6AM
143Please respect copyright.PENANAiE3wVi2t16
143Please respect copyright.PENANA5yAmVOMrZI
143Please respect copyright.PENANAtF4wZhAA1k
143Please respect copyright.PENANAq8O06ixmbl
143Please respect copyright.PENANAQ3EEr3uKAD
143Please respect copyright.PENANA0SwTv2FOa1
143Please respect copyright.PENANAu3kAD4lJ5F
143Please respect copyright.PENANAQRgOdr9UAL
143Please respect copyright.PENANA1AmPDQdvAu
143Please respect copyright.PENANAMSePgYAAxc
143Please respect copyright.PENANACv2qdyCu37
143Please respect copyright.PENANAxV81yaN7Ya
143Please respect copyright.PENANAh3xCohf6mj
143Please respect copyright.PENANAT91Knuys0s
143Please respect copyright.PENANAUTIiEKjeeM
143Please respect copyright.PENANAsNNwGSPN7t
143Please respect copyright.PENANA4scx9BrJYL
143Please respect copyright.PENANA1JGOIZvgIx
143Please respect copyright.PENANALQYrUTSCor
143Please respect copyright.PENANAqySyWhMobl
143Please respect copyright.PENANARqzY1lcHLt
143Please respect copyright.PENANA4Is6MNbuLu
143Please respect copyright.PENANAx39WIybqXp
143Please respect copyright.PENANAa7GIPWGQoi
143Please respect copyright.PENANAffUzPNk8xk
143Please respect copyright.PENANAwJSZeUwxXd
143Please respect copyright.PENANAu9RhSKqtBG
143Please respect copyright.PENANAM6q1wu0IDu
143Please respect copyright.PENANAJVvlwUZkJZ
143Please respect copyright.PENANAOz8ZvvRThP
143Please respect copyright.PENANAXGpGzumx97
143Please respect copyright.PENANAcIZTV4qX03
143Please respect copyright.PENANAkWPIFZYPoA
143Please respect copyright.PENANAyiVguSiiw6
143Please respect copyright.PENANAnuTnMJt3wh
143Please respect copyright.PENANAAjig7Y8LgP
143Please respect copyright.PENANAogyWKLy0fZ
143Please respect copyright.PENANAuI3afilTP2
143Please respect copyright.PENANAfYFV4fADzM
143Please respect copyright.PENANAsaYcMJ4cea
143Please respect copyright.PENANAYFGO02EeEB
143Please respect copyright.PENANAiyg06xWkVV
143Please respect copyright.PENANA8gQ08Elseb
143Please respect copyright.PENANA7ZKnKj1MQD
143Please respect copyright.PENANAiVHpQ0pCbh
143Please respect copyright.PENANAuswfXEeTlv
143Please respect copyright.PENANA6OcVM5ENw8
143Please respect copyright.PENANA61HP2RfhnJ
143Please respect copyright.PENANA3J8d0a7t5r
143Please respect copyright.PENANAaCdgZhoHBa
143Please respect copyright.PENANAj4mzcWYrNl
143Please respect copyright.PENANA9nQoyRBEbX
143Please respect copyright.PENANAtBwnjcfd1Z
143Please respect copyright.PENANABCfrReu4u7
143Please respect copyright.PENANA6bfsgjkdq0
143Please respect copyright.PENANApUaas2IGeA
143Please respect copyright.PENANAcZxJs4eqEo
143Please respect copyright.PENANAJYquteGnp4
143Please respect copyright.PENANAKw95JVadTI
143Please respect copyright.PENANAEiFI8Pp8HY
143Please respect copyright.PENANAiD8BaAqUtX
143Please respect copyright.PENANA0nbCaGNUSe
143Please respect copyright.PENANAJoyrCyL8Dd
143Please respect copyright.PENANAKqJ46m693X
143Please respect copyright.PENANAaNtJG7OuRB
143Please respect copyright.PENANAdy4QIwgNt0
143Please respect copyright.PENANA9jRtXcTHmM
143Please respect copyright.PENANAwFrQrLcmm4
143Please respect copyright.PENANAT1HlXUZcif
143Please respect copyright.PENANAwMGoNBvcVH
143Please respect copyright.PENANAxVaqTGuPew
143Please respect copyright.PENANAF7fs6NBcur
143Please respect copyright.PENANAmbzAcKETMw
143Please respect copyright.PENANAXLTeNN4TFD
143Please respect copyright.PENANALlrw8KkhTC
143Please respect copyright.PENANAVGNpXANz9K
143Please respect copyright.PENANA0ld6FrBsqZ
143Please respect copyright.PENANAzpmmMe1Ym2
143Please respect copyright.PENANAC9qBU1KUOk
143Please respect copyright.PENANAmfj5U8EkaI
143Please respect copyright.PENANAMEcIfgfStH
143Please respect copyright.PENANAQ3bMzoDi1C
143Please respect copyright.PENANAjZdoECcL88
143Please respect copyright.PENANAi6v7JKmTPQ
143Please respect copyright.PENANAAhNxpflPVK
143Please respect copyright.PENANAQGQW8Ev2cF
143Please respect copyright.PENANAjvuCxHVbv4
143Please respect copyright.PENANAr4BzPas0Ox
143Please respect copyright.PENANASuXaFZFPny
143Please respect copyright.PENANAQ3P8MU7Tcn
143Please respect copyright.PENANAgtmuDhAd2q
143Please respect copyright.PENANAYMMzBp9opc
143Please respect copyright.PENANAmgCmpzwgWr
143Please respect copyright.PENANAmEBMYvmoqk
143Please respect copyright.PENANAhKo9xm32BL
143Please respect copyright.PENANAJ7dlkXPgqE
143Please respect copyright.PENANAhetBUqitZv
143Please respect copyright.PENANAZsCxYJ9spM
143Please respect copyright.PENANAZ1a1cXriSA
143Please respect copyright.PENANACguDkjaY6f
143Please respect copyright.PENANA4QUR8gJsT1
143Please respect copyright.PENANA0pWruOKknf
143Please respect copyright.PENANAgKXOSKhuts
143Please respect copyright.PENANAonIL1TwH72
143Please respect copyright.PENANA7hhA1xg94B
143Please respect copyright.PENANAcxnlx0TqWh
143Please respect copyright.PENANA20QUEE82vW
143Please respect copyright.PENANA3o2WpazdP1
143Please respect copyright.PENANArOX2fMwOhV
143Please respect copyright.PENANA76nulHlbvV
143Please respect copyright.PENANAFtMJUsZmrV
143Please respect copyright.PENANAg4QVJxlTy4
143Please respect copyright.PENANAft5BxJCURu
143Please respect copyright.PENANADIq9x8h1VY
143Please respect copyright.PENANAI9wZyGOgv5
143Please respect copyright.PENANAeQSS6b5nwu
143Please respect copyright.PENANAVhYDZAqTAo
143Please respect copyright.PENANAT7He6firwK
143Please respect copyright.PENANAFcSFvfEsUC
143Please respect copyright.PENANAei7Jlgd5wN
143Please respect copyright.PENANAmmCudByupa
143Please respect copyright.PENANAdrfSM03H9L
143Please respect copyright.PENANAUPaTg3UurZ
143Please respect copyright.PENANAanldf2w6mI
143Please respect copyright.PENANAXyG0tYR8wF
143Please respect copyright.PENANAqMd2xOmFql
143Please respect copyright.PENANAjfnjOUXspc
143Please respect copyright.PENANASrB4gUykzG
143Please respect copyright.PENANAPA2bokN6CE
143Please respect copyright.PENANAhmFVN8QSKF
143Please respect copyright.PENANAMeS9n6BAjw
143Please respect copyright.PENANA2tdb4bN2u9
143Please respect copyright.PENANAAqRSQGPWr1
143Please respect copyright.PENANAW2cEXOQ9ba
143Please respect copyright.PENANAVCj4y4JSuj
143Please respect copyright.PENANAk8OEmdUBNU
143Please respect copyright.PENANArRyWjn5Wuv
143Please respect copyright.PENANAWidcJfFsuO
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!
ns18.217.207.112da2