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THROUGHOUT the successful accomplishments of Miss Paraw Regatta pageant as a prestigious beauty search in Iloilo, one of its past queens will embark on an inspiring journey that is set to leave a lasting mark.
A 22-year-old Ilongga will make history as she competes in Miss Heritage Global 2016 on Dec. 4 at Gallanger Estate, St. Johannesburg, South Africa. Jay Roxanne Divinagracia, formerly crowned Miss Iloilo Paraw Regatta Earth 2015, hails from Mandurriao, Iloilo.
In 2015, she bested 18 candidates and was hailed Miss Filipinas Heritage Culture 2015 first runner-up. This year, Roxanne was chosen by the Miss Filipinas Heritage pageant committee to represent the country in the upcoming Miss Heritage Global, an annual beauty pageant that advocates heritage and cultural promotion – a worthy cause that empowers women to embody their cultural identity and showcase their beauties as epitome of their respective culture.
For two consecutive years, the Philippines has achieved a back-to-back winning streak in Miss Heritage Global. This year, Roxanne is optimistic to represent the country’s vibrant cultural heritage and its tourism industry.
“For me, more than the honor of representing our country in an international beauty pageant like Miss Heritage Global, it is also humbling to carry with me the treasures of our past – our priceless heritage. I believe as a Filipina, we have a diverse and magnificent cultural heritage that the world is waiting to rediscover and understand,” says Roxanne, who is also an advocate of the local fabric in Iloilo – the hablon.
“Having been a part of Miss Paraw Regatta, my participation in the pageant before taught me to value humility, pride for our culture and deep passion for our indigenous people,” Roxane adds, whose video advocacy during the Miss Paraw competition focused on helping street children and hablon weavers – things that are slowly being forgotten by the present generation of young Ilonggos.
The beauty queen believes that amid the fast-changing world, millennials like her have the role to remember, understand and create a sense of conviction to preserve their cultural heritage which is part of their cultural identity.
Winning a title in Miss Paraw Regatta has not only brought her with honor and pride, but an opportunity to send a message of awareness and represent her Ilonggo heritage to her fellow youth.
“Now, I am on my new journey, a sailing mission into the seas of optimistic opportunity to showcase to the world how beautiful Ilonggo culture is, how priceless and magnificent to share the cultural identity of being a strong-hearted Filipina, the Philippines as a beautiful destination in general. Indeed, this is a once-in-a-lifetime journey for me to reach not only my personal dreams but the passion to stand proud for my Filipino cultural heritage, it outweighs beyond the concept of beauty itself because when you love your country, your culture, your heritage, you are beautifully selfless by soul,” she says.
Before the international competition, she planned a series of charity events, projects and awareness campaigns that only a passionate Ilongga can do so much for her cultural heritage.
Recently, she performed and recorded an original song entitled “Heritage Heart” which was co-produced by Ymmanuel Demegillo and Philip Muleta. The song is now being shared online as her advocacy tool to promote the passion for world cultural heritage. She has also been working on a heritage-inspired documentary film showcasing the Philippines’ rich culture and destinations as part of her requirement for Miss Heritage Global.
She will compete against 60 other gorgeous and charming candidates coming from different parts of the globe during the duration of the pageant from Nov. 23 to Dec. 4.
For the record, Roxanne will be the first Miss Paraw Regatta title holder to compete in an international beauty pageant. With her advocacy to represent her cultural heritage and the support of the Filipino people, Roxanne is set to make waves in the world./PN
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