00:00A commemoration of beauty, spirit and grace.
00:03The Miss Beauty Trinidad and Tobago pageant celebrates women and provides a platform for
00:07them to amplify their voices.
00:10For its seventh year, founder and event coordinator Felicia Dos Santos shares the mission of the
00:15upcoming pageant of refining the talent to represent Trinidad and Tobago on the world
00:19stage.
00:20I feel like somehow we have lost our touch when it comes to the international stages.
00:25The goal or the mission of the pageant is basically gearing and preparing and developing
00:32the children and the young ladies as well as the mature ladies into the world of pageantry.
00:39The event comprises five age categories, 5-8, 9-12, 13-17, 18-25 and a mature category for
00:48those 26 and over.
00:50Reigning champion Miss Beauty Trinidad and Tobago 2023, Joanne Ogaro, commended the inclusivity
00:56of the event, reminding women that they can achieve anything they set their minds to.
01:01To begin with, I'm 53 years old and I'm plus sized.
01:06Now I'm in a category that society thinks should be in the back of the bus because you
01:11hear most people say that, you know, after a woman reaches a certain age, she, you know,
01:17she should stop doing certain things.
01:19I am here to say that is not true.
01:22Once you have breath in your body, you can accomplish your goals.
01:26For her, pageantry was monumental in allowing her to find her voice.
01:31I spent a large part of my life not being heard, not being seen because of life experiences.
01:41So when I found my voice, I figured, you know what, everybody needs to hear it.
01:46So I haven't shut up since.
01:49Pageantry has evolved over the years as an outlet for female empowerment.
01:52Delegates train tirelessly in public speaking, walking, and honing their talents to overcome
01:58society's history of dimming a woman's light.
02:01Standing in the spotlight, they reclaim their identity.
02:03Normally, I'm a very like internal person, like I state to myself.
02:09But I decided that it would be a great experience to boost my self-esteem.
02:13Before I used to say, it's a time for everything.
02:17So like now I am conquering my dreams and I'm doing me.
02:21So I stopped that saying from, it's a time for everything.
02:24And now my new saying is, if not now, then when?
02:27This makes me help to show who I really am and nobody could tell me otherwise because
02:34I know that I am beautiful and I am glad that I am beautiful.
02:39I'm so excited for the fashion.
02:41I'm so excited to show myself to this beautiful two islands of Trinidad and Tobago.
02:46I'm just so excited.
02:48With a newfound confidence, the delegates are determined to make their mark.
02:52I always thought, well, you know what, I can't do this.
02:55I can't.
02:56I'm scared.
02:57But it changed my confidence because now I know that I can do it and I can show this
03:06whole world that I can do it.
03:08And everyone has a desire to inspire.
03:11Believe in yourself and all that matters in competition is braveness.
03:19These events also serve as a medium to spread awareness on major issues.
03:24I am a type 2 diabetic and we know it's a lifestyle disease.
03:28So what I do, I tell people about it.
03:32And I try to encourage people to make better decisions as far as their health is concerned
03:37because it can be avoided.
03:40Miss Joanna Garrow will crown the next Miss Beauty Trinidad and Tobago for 2024.
03:45Until then, the pageant is seeking sponsors.
03:48It is a philanthropic event and we depend on sponsors because we have to reward the
03:55delegates because they do work hard.
03:58The Miss Beauty Trinidad and Tobago pageant will be held on the 25th of August at the
04:02Eric Williams Auditorium of La Jolla Sporting Complex.
04:06The junior division will begin at 3pm, followed by the adult presentation from 7pm.
04:12More information is available on the Facebook page Miss Beauty Trinidad and Tobago or by
04:16calling 724-5546.
04:21Victoria Coelhas, TV6 News.
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