Who or what is a “Modern” Beauty Queen for you?

 ARIELLA ARIDA: Okay, a modern Beauty Queen for me is someone who is confident of herself, someone who’s not afraid to speak up her mind and someone who doesn’t need to conform on what society dictates her to be.

YVETHE SANTIAGO: A modern Beauty Queen is someone who’s not afraid to speak her mind and she knows her position in the society that’s why she’s very mindful of what she does.

ANN UMALI: A modern Beauty Queen is someone who knows how to have fun, yet still be dedicated to her work and be still a role model.

Are there any changes you want to see in how Beauty Queens present themselves?

ARIELLA ARIDA: I hope like right now, they are more perceived as someone that is more approachable and more true to themselves. ‘Cause sometimes, they think that if you’re a Beauty Queen, you have to set a certain standard for you to be able to be the one, but in reality, no. You just have to be confident and be who you are. I guess that’s the most important thing. 

YVETHE SANTIAGO: They’re not very restricted to what the old Beauty Queens are defined. ‘Cause before, when you say ‘Beauty Queen’, you have to be prim and proper all the time. But now, they have their own stand. Whatever’s in their mind, they say it.

ANN UMALI: I don’t think much change is needed. It’s not a surprise on how women are able to present themselves nowadays. Women before may be reserved, women now are competitive, they can speak their mind really confident.

What kind of Beauty Queen do you want to see today?

ARIELLA ARIDA: Someone who’s not afraid to show who she is. Most of the time you’re just afraid to show yourself, but in reality you just have to be confident.

YVETHE SANTIAGO: I would like to see a Beauty Queen who’s passionate with what she does, who knows how to appreciate everything around her.

ANN UMALI: I want to see someone who is true to herself, a fighter, and someone who speaks her truth.

For you personally, how do you make sure your look is updated or current?

ARIELLA ARIDA: I’m thankful with the social media. Just by checking social media every day, like there’s always some fashion stuff that I encounter every day. So, that really helps a lot.

YVETHE SANTIAGO: To be honest, I’m not somebody who’s always up to date. But of course, call of duty. I have to be mindful of what’s new and what’s hot. So, of course, I try to look over the social media and check out what’s in

ANN UMALI: It’s a social media world after all. So, I just research online from time to time and update my look. 

What is the one thing (in terms of dressing up) that Beauty Queens should never let go?

ARIELLA ARIDA: Wearing a nice underwear, joke! Well, it helps you know, that’s where the confidence start. When you know deep inside you, you’re wearing something beautiful. So, I guess yeah.

YVETHE SANTIAGO: In terms of dressing up, a Beauty Queen must always have with her heels, a pair of heels. There’s something with heels that gives you authority. I mean, you’ll feel like a real Beauty Queen whenever you’re in heels.

ANN UMALI: One ting they should never let go is a good, trusted and comfortable heels. You have to walk, glide and stand up for hours. So, you need a good one.

What is one thing you would never wear?

ARIELLA ARIDA: Something that won’t compliment my body. In fashion, things we wear are those would really compliment you, yourself, your personality and your body. So for me, when I think it’s not my personality or it doesn’t compliment my body, it’s something that I won’t wear.

YVETHE SANTIAGO: Well, I think I could wear anything. Maybe the question is more of, if I can wear it in public or not. ‘Cause I’m also a model aside from being a Beauty Queen. So, it’s part of my job to wear stuff. But in public, well, not so sure about that.

ANN UMALI: There’s nothing I would never wear, but outside my house, I would never wear flip-flops.