- 10 hours ago
Beyond the Headlines goes glam and insightful ✨
We sit down with Miss Mandaue 2026 Sofi Grenmo as she shares her journey, advocacies, and the story behind the crown. 👑💬
From pageant dreams to real-world impact—get to know the woman beyond the title in this exclusive live interview.
Don’t miss the conversation that goes deeper than the spotlight. 🎙️
We sit down with Miss Mandaue 2026 Sofi Grenmo as she shares her journey, advocacies, and the story behind the crown. 👑💬
From pageant dreams to real-world impact—get to know the woman beyond the title in this exclusive live interview.
Don’t miss the conversation that goes deeper than the spotlight. 🎙️
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NewsTranscript
00:47Good afternoon. Welcome to Beyond the Headlines. I'm DJ Moises.
00:51The public often sees the crowning moment.
00:55Today, we go beyond the sash and the crown to meet the woman.
00:58Behind the title as we talk about pageantry, personal growth, confidence, and the causes closest to her heart.
01:08Joining us today is Ms. Mandawe, 2026, Sophie Grenmo.
01:14Hi, Sophie. Welcome to Beyond the Headlines.
01:16Hello. Nice to see you.
01:18And congratulations.
01:20Thank you so much.
01:20It's been three weeks, right?
01:21Yes, it's been three weeks.
01:22So how has it been so far?
01:25So far, it's been very surreal.
01:28I've gone through so much during the competition and after the competition.
01:32So right now, I am just taking everything in and bringing myself back to earth and back to reality.
01:40Oh, yes. That's also very important.
01:42So speaking of grounding, I'm curious, and I'm sure some of our viewers are also curious, before the crown and
01:52the spotlight, who is little Sophie?
01:57So before the crown and the spotlight, little Sophie was just a humble island girl.
02:03I was very, I would say, athletic, not really like a graceful beauty queen.
02:09But when I moved to the city, of course, I learned to become poised.
02:14And while I managed the scary city, I'm also trying to keep a smile on my face.
02:21And eventually, I just learned how to be a beauty queen throughout my life.
02:24So for example, because I'm sure you have, Ms. Bandawe is like already a day job, although you're still a
02:31student.
02:32But if we take out pageantry or you being a title holder from the equation, what's your normal day like?
02:42So right now, I am a student in Indiana Aerospace University.
02:45So my normal day goes like going to school on my motorbike because I drive.
02:52And also, after school, I come home to my cats.
02:56I relax.
02:57I'm a very introverted person.
02:59So I don't really do a lot outside rather than just stay inside.
03:04So yeah, that's just I'm not very outgoing either.
03:07I like to be a homebody.
03:09Which is comforting.
03:11I have a certain bias.
03:12The viewers already know that I have a certain bias for people who are also private in nature, but are
03:20able to do a very public life.
03:22Yeah.
03:23It's very weird that I do that.
03:26I don't know how I pull it off.
03:27So speaking of pulling it off, when you had your speech, you mentioned something about moving to the Philippines at
03:41a very young age.
03:44Can you tell us more about that?
03:46Okay, so I moved to the Philippines in 2009 with my whole family.
03:51That includes my sister and my brother and my parents.
03:56When we moved here, it was because we were afraid that we couldn't afford the life in Sweden.
04:03By the way, I am from Sweden, guys.
04:07But I'm also half Filipino.
04:09So we moved because it was very high cost if we lived in Sweden.
04:14And also, the culture in the Philippines is very different compared to overseas.
04:20Because you don't really get to see your family overseas.
04:23You don't get to see your friends.
04:24Everybody's busy.
04:25Everyone's busy.
04:26But here in the Philippines, we have this culture of pakikisama, where you're always around your friends, your families, and
04:34also your relatives.
04:36And you get to grow up with values of respect, especially for the elders.
04:41So it was just best for us to move to the Philippines.
04:44And I feel like that really helped with who I am right now because I've grown up into someone who's
04:50responsible and also, I would say, very soft-hearted, especially to the people around me.
04:57So if I am to interview your mom, your dad, and your sister and brother, what do you think they
05:10will or how do you think they will describe you?
05:16Yeah, I would say they would probably describe me as someone who's very independent.
05:23Because when I moved to Cebu, I used to have a very senorita life in the island because, you know,
05:29I'm with my family.
05:30But when I moved to Cebu, I learned to work hard.
05:34And I even worked hard enough to pay for my tuition and to even lend my family money.
05:41So I would say they think I'm pretty independent because they know they can rely on me.
05:47And I also am very helpful towards my family.
05:51We're all working as a team.
05:52So I'm contributing in my own way.
05:56And then when people see you because you're visible, both in social media and in your real life,
06:04what do you think is one thing that people will be surprised to find out once they get to know
06:13you?
06:14I feel like people would be very surprised with my humor.
06:18Because I've heard a lot of people say I'm quite intimidating.
06:22And I have this thing we call RBF.
06:26Those of you who know, you know what I mean.
06:29Okay.
06:30So let's continue, okay?
06:32So, yeah, I have a very strong face.
06:34And people tend to think I'm a serious person.
06:38But when you know me as a friend, I'm very, I would say, not very funny.
06:43But I have this humor that is very charming.
06:47Not to like toot my own horn.
06:49But yeah, I feel like people would be surprised.
06:53Yeah, siga, siga.
06:54So now let's transition the conversation into pageantry.
06:58So what first inspired you to join the pageant industry?
07:05Okay.
07:06I have two answers for this.
07:08So my first answer is not really serious.
07:11Okay.
07:12This is a sample of her humor.
07:13Just kidding.
07:14So my first answer is I got inspired to join pageantry because when I was, I think, about like eighth
07:22grade, I was not really good at a Filipino subject.
07:26So my Filipino teacher told me, okay, join this pageant so I'll leverage your grade.
07:32I'll bring your grades up.
07:33So this is like Lingo ng Wika, kind of.
07:35Yeah, it's like, you know, United Nations.
07:39Yeah.
07:40So, of course, yeah.
07:42And as a student athlete, I'm very, like, boyish.
07:45So it wasn't really in the books.
07:47But, okay, my serious answer is what inspired me is I'm going to say it's the outreach and how I'm
07:57going to use my platform.
07:58Because all my life, my family and I have been very active in helping the community, even as small as
08:06helping our own family.
08:07For example, during the Yolanda typhoon, we donated two generators.
08:14The relief goods that we received, instead of keeping it to us, we gave it away to the people.
08:20And also, my dad even sold his car in Sweden just to donate here in the Philippines.
08:26So, growing up, I really had these values instilled in me that helping other people feels like my true purpose.
08:35So, when I heard that pageantry helps us do more of these things, of course, I got really inspired.
08:43And with Miss Mandawi, I realized that the Mandawi city government is really supportive of their queens and their goals.
08:52And I decided to join the pageantry because I really wanted to do something with my blessings, with my power.
09:03So that's really what inspired me to join.
09:05It's just being able to help, especially when you have these doors open for you.
09:11Well, I can tell, at least from this conversation, that you take very seriously the platform that you have and
09:20also the microphone or the amplification of your voice to speak on other people's behalf.
09:27But before we get into that, let's talk about something fun.
09:31So, what's also the enjoyable part of the pageant world?
09:36Oh, it's every time I join, it's always the girls.
09:40Because every pageant, there's always some set of girls who are very different to who you are.
09:47For example, here at Miss Mandawi, I'm very glad that the entire group of girls are so good with talking
09:56to each other that there's no little subgroups.
09:59Oh, no clicks.
10:00Yeah, no clicks. All of us click together. And the fun thing about pageantry is that you get to enjoy
10:07the pageant, even though there's so much pressure that comes with it.
10:11And also, you get to just forget about the stress because when you go into rehearsals, you're not tired. You're
10:20just excited and happy to be there.
10:22So, yeah, I'm really happy that I get to socialize because, you know, as an introvert, we don't really get
10:28much of that.
10:29But at least I'm forced to step out of my comfort zone and just be a fun person with the
10:35girls.
10:35Actually, while you were saying that, it also reminded me about the importance of good work relationship in the office.
10:43Because, yes, the work also has a stressful part.
10:46But if you like the people you are working with, then it makes things manageable.
10:52And I think that's just what you just said.
10:54Yes, I agree.
10:54If you belong also to a very good batch, then the stress that also comes with pageantry becomes manageable.
11:09Yes, exactly.
11:10Now, speaking of fun, you can use this.
11:13So, let's play a little bit of a game.
11:16So, it's sash or pass.
11:19So, I have here a set of statements and then you would tell us whether you agree with it, it's
11:28sash, or you disagree with it, or pass.
11:32So, first here, first situation, the true competition.
11:37So, I'm referring to pageantry.
11:39The true competition starts backstage, not on stage.
11:45Yes, that's true.
11:48Okay, tell us more about it.
11:51So, first of all, it starts backstage because you're, of course, competing with yourself.
11:57So, it's a mental thing.
11:58And also, you're training before the competition.
12:01So, that's part of the backstage things.
12:04And also, in some cases, it does start backstage because you see who your competitors are.
12:11And you see the caliber that you are going through.
12:14So, I would say, yeah, it's definitely backstage.
12:18And then, this one.
12:19And you won Best in Swimsuit, no?
12:22Yes.
12:22This question is for you.
12:24The situation is for you.
12:26You are still hungry if you have not eaten rice.
12:33Yes.
12:34Really?
12:35Sad.
12:36Really?
12:36Yes.
12:37Because I feel like it's the carbs that gives you the energy throughout the day.
12:42And when I'm in a pageant, I try to load up on salad.
12:47And, you know, blah.
12:49But I feel like if I eat rice, I feel like I'm just alive.
12:53But because we have interviewed at least a few queens here.
12:59And they would normally say that the closer they are to the pageant day, the lesser and lesser the rice.
13:07Is that also the same?
13:08That is true.
13:09That's why we crave rice even more.
13:12Okay.
13:13So, you're right.
13:14Buying workout clothes.
13:15I think our viewers, some of them can relate to this.
13:20Buying workout clothes is an exercise motivator.
13:27I would say pack.
13:28Oh, really?
13:29Okay.
13:29Because I'm not really a gym goer.
13:33But when I go to the gym, I just wear like basketball shorts and maybe a jersey.
13:38So, I wouldn't say it for me.
13:39You're not an OOTD type of girl.
13:41Yeah.
13:42I don't like to wear.
13:43Because for me, if I have an OOTD, I would say, oh, it's so sad because I'm going to sweat
13:48it.
13:48Okay.
13:49I'll save it to a day where I need to wear it.
13:52So, mana.
13:52Yeah.
13:53And then this one is for your co-gen Zs.
14:01Posting a photo.
14:02So, you post a photo and then you check the likes from time to time.
14:08Okay.
14:11Sorry, I laughed.
14:12Okay.
14:14It's like when you post an Instagram story and then you just keep watching it over and over again.
14:19It's like the same thing.
14:20It's subconscious.
14:22I wish I didn't check the likes again and again.
14:25But that's just how my brain works.
14:27And yeah, it's later, but I will also, because you already mentioned it.
14:31So, are you also the type of person who would upload my day?
14:36And then you also check who viewed your my day.
14:39Yeah.
14:40Why are you calling me out?
14:43No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
14:44No, yeah.
14:45I am that type of person.
14:47So, this one is related to rice.
14:49No, the hardest part of pageant preparation is saying no to dessert.
14:55Oh, yeah.
14:57So you're a sweet tooth.
14:58It is.
14:59I am.
14:59Every time I have a meal, I'm always, I was thinking, oh, I really wish I had something sweet right
15:04now.
15:05But, you know, I always have my cheat days.
15:09So, yeah, it's really hard to cut on dessert, especially if I love ice cream.
15:14I love chocolate.
15:16I love gummies, sour candy.
15:19So, yeah.
15:19So how do you manage your cheat day so that it will not be every day?
15:26Well, I manage it by, I try to eat very healthy for like a few consecutive days.
15:33And then I say, okay, I deserve it now.
15:36Or when I have like a really tough week or tough day, like full of trainings and all of these
15:43preparations, I always reward myself.
15:46I feel like I really deserve to have like an ice cream.
15:48So, yeah, that's how I like manage my cheat days.
15:52Yeah, so that it also becomes more balanced.
15:55It becomes a motivator.
15:56Yeah, exactly.
15:57It's like a reward.
15:59Now, this one, the most dangerous part of pageantry is not Q&A, it's the stairs.
16:07Oh, my gosh.
16:09Yes.
16:10I'm creating it now.
16:11I mean, in my case, I try my best to prepare for Q&A.
16:16And I know it's like a normal thing in pageantry that you're really going to face Q&A if you're
16:20aiming to win.
16:21But the stairs, you don't really know if the stairs is going to be there when you step on it.
16:27Because you try not to look.
16:29That's my next question.
16:32Is it a minus point if you look at the stairs?
16:37Because I would notice that, I think you don't do that also.
16:40You don't look at the stairs.
16:41Yeah, I try not to.
16:42Sige, is that a minus point?
16:43Or is that a plus point if you can navigate through the stairs without looking at it?
16:50I'm not sure.
16:51It really depends on the judge.
16:53If I were to judge, I wouldn't really mind because I know how scary it can be.
16:57But it definitely looks nicer if you don't look at the stairs.
17:01So how do you learn the stage?
17:05I mean, the stairs there.
17:07Yeah.
17:08What I do is, every time we're in rehearsals, I try my best to practice not looking so that when
17:15the time comes, I know where the stairs are.
17:18But I also try to like, I don't really look down, but I use my eyes.
17:23So I just like look and then look back.
17:26Okay, like glance quickly.
17:28Just quickly glance.
17:29Just make sure when you step, you're landing on the right spot.
17:32But I don't think it affects the scoring system that much because it's also safety.
17:40If you don't look, you're going to fall.
17:42It's going to be embarrassing and you're going to be in pain.
17:44And then you might not even walk for the final gown walk or, you know.
17:49So yeah.
17:50So safety is still the priority.
17:51Yeah, exactly.
17:52Now this one is, okay, taking one good photo can require 50 bad ones.
17:59Now, taking one good photo can require 50 bad ones.
18:03But let's see if you're a normal human being.
18:06Oh, really?
18:06I have, right now, I have 31,000 photos and videos on my phone.
18:12And I think it doesn't take 50 photos or 50 bad ones.
18:17I think it takes like 200 bad ones.
18:19So yeah.
18:20So just for that one photo.
18:22So we are just normal, guys.
18:25It's okay, guys.
18:26It's normal.
18:27I'm abnormal.
18:28I have too much photos.
18:30It's okay.
18:31This one.
18:32Choosing a caption sometimes takes longer than taking a good shot.
18:38No.
18:39Okay, continue.
18:40I would say pass.
18:41Because I'm going to admit, I hope no one bashes me with how much I waste water with this.
18:48But sometimes I use ChatGPT for that.
18:51It just makes my life quicker.
18:53And it's just a caption.
18:54But yeah.
18:55It's practical.
18:56Yeah.
18:56But I don't recommend AI.
18:58But yeah, sometimes it's either an emoji or a very quick ChatGPT caption.
19:05So yeah.
19:06It's also time management.
19:07Yeah, exactly.
19:08So yeah.
19:09Whenever you message, I'm on my way, you are still at home.
19:17I'm so sorry for this.
19:19Okay, it's okay.
19:21I'm very guilty.
19:23Okay, it's okay.
19:23It's like I say I'm on the way, but I'm still on the way to the shower.
19:27Oh, shower.
19:28I was even thinking on the way to the door.
19:30Not even.
19:31On the way to shower.
19:32And I just say, oh, sorry, I got stuck in traffic.
19:36Sorry, guys.
19:37Sometimes I try my best to be on the way.
19:39But you know, you never know.
19:41It happens.
19:41It happens.
19:42So you can say, deleting a post because it did not perform as expected.
19:49Okay, so you can continue.
19:52Sometimes it's because I post like the dumbest thing and then I expect it to blow.
19:57I was like, why did I even post this?
19:59I just delete it.
20:00But you know, as much as possible, I just ignore it and own up to it.
20:04But there are just those times where you have to.
20:07That's part of the option.
20:10That's why it's there.
20:11Yeah, exactly.
20:12It's not permanent.
20:13Correct.
20:14It doesn't hurt.
20:15By the way, do you still have a good angle and a bad angle?
20:20Yes, I do.
20:20Really?
20:21I'm very happy that I'm seated at my good angle right now.
20:25So it's your left.
20:27Yeah, it's my left side.
20:29Why do you think so?
20:29And how do you decide this is the better angle?
20:34I think it's because I have an asymmetrical face.
20:39So, like, I don't know.
20:41But my jaw is sharper somehow on this side and it's rounder on this side.
20:46Wow.
20:47If you can see.
20:47Okay.
20:48No, I think all angles are...
20:52Good.
20:52I just decided it because of my sharp side.
20:55And I like how this looks better.
20:57But it doesn't mean I'm not going to use this side because I feel like I'm an okay-looking person,
21:04even if I have two different sides.
21:06Yeah, I think so.
21:07Yeah.
21:07I'm looking at you.
21:09Oh, no, no.
21:09It's me already.
21:10Okay.
21:11The other one is, do you also stalk someone's social media before actually meeting them?
21:20Oh.
21:21Okay.
21:22Okay.
21:22I don't really stalk people because, I don't know, if I check their Facebook, I don't really get any info
21:30anyways.
21:31And I would rather just meet the person and not meet them with certain expectations.
21:36Because I'm the type of person that if you meet someone, I believe in the good in people.
21:44So, I don't really care who they are before.
21:47I'd rather know who they are right in front of me and judge based on that.
21:54No preconceived notion.
21:56Yeah, exactly.
21:57Okay.
21:58Looking calm on stage and feeling calm on stage are two different things.
22:04Yes.
22:05Okay.
22:06It is.
22:06It is different because when you're on stage, a lot of people get stage fright.
22:12And sometimes…
22:13Do you have that also?
22:14I used to, but now I'm not really because I'm so used to just, you know, walking on stage and
22:19being in front of the lights.
22:20Oh yeah, because you're also a model, no?
22:22Yeah.
22:22So, continue.
22:23So, I think it's different because when I started pageantry, I used to be so scared.
22:29And I try to not look scared and I try to feel calm, but it doesn't portray in my face.
22:35But when you actually feel calm, like how I experience it now, it does project on your face.
22:41You can see it even in your smile, how your lips shake.
22:46So, yeah.
22:46I think it's two different things.
22:48And both can be learned.
22:50Yes.
22:51Or learn through experience.
22:53Oh yeah, because that's also the reason now I realized even more.
23:00That's the reason why when people would say, always go out to your comfort zone because it's uncomfortable at first.
23:05Yeah.
23:06But if you do it more, then time will come that you will be comfortable.
23:11Exactly.
23:12When somebody takes a shot and it's a group photo, do you zoom in to check how you look?
23:22Oh my gosh.
23:24You're really a normal human being.
23:26Continue.
23:26Okay, okay.
23:27Of course, I do.
23:29Sometimes I even edit my own face.
23:33This is related.
23:34Are you disappointed also when someone uploads the wrong photo?
23:39Okay, tell us more about it.
23:42Yes.
23:43My friends does this so much and I get so mad at them like, guys, I have better photos.
23:49Of all the photos, correct.
23:51Or they tag you on purpose.
23:53Yeah, and I just don't repost it.
23:56You're welcome.
23:57This one.
23:58Using online shopping, do you use online shopping as an emotional support?
24:04Okay.
24:05Now I don't.
24:06But before I used to.
24:07Tell us about the realization.
24:11It's because I'm broke.
24:14But it's also, I don't like to scroll too much on my shopping apps because I'm very tempted
24:23to check out and it's not healthy for me and my wallet.
24:27So now I don't do it.
24:29But I used to when I was younger because I was so, oh, I want this.
24:33I want this bag.
24:34I want this new heels.
24:35I want new dresses.
24:38But now I think I'm at a point where, okay, I bought everything I needed.
24:41It's enough now.
24:43The last one, you've already answered this a little bit earlier.
24:47But life is too short to post only one photo from a photo shoot.
24:53Yeah.
24:54That's enough.
24:55Okay, so.
24:56Yes.
24:57I mean, if you're posting a photo, no one really cares if you've posted like five photos of the same
25:06pose.
25:07Because, you know, people just appreciate that, oh, she looks nice, like, and then scroll.
25:11So, you know, I don't really think it's a big deal just for me.
25:17And also, if I look at my friends posting multiple photos, I get happy looking at all of that.
25:23Yeah, just like the same photo, just this angle, and then this angle, and then this angle.
25:28Yeah.
25:29Okay, now let's move back to your typical day, you know.
25:33So, for aspiring pageant queens who are watching, what's a typical preparation look like for a beauty queen?
25:47Okay.
25:48So, are we talking about in pageantry?
25:51Pageantry, Celia.
25:52So, the typical preparation goes with, I don't know, some girls do this, do this like months before, some like
26:00the week before.
26:02How I do it is, during the competition, I'm always at my passarela trainings.
26:09I do it as often as I can.
26:12I'm also going to my Q&A trainings.
26:13By the way, I keep on hearing about passarela.
26:15So, what do you do?
26:16Like, you just walk and walk.
26:17And how many hours does it take in a day, Celia?
26:20I take, I think we do two or three hours.
26:24Really?
26:25Yeah.
26:25So, what happens during that time?
26:27We do drills first.
26:29So, like body conditioning and strength training.
26:31So, that comes with like holding yourself up for like 10 minutes or like moving your hips for 10 minutes
26:39again.
26:40And then there's drills where we have to like do a pose and then just keep doing it forward, forward,
26:46forward and then backward, backward, backward for like 10 times.
26:48And also the iconic duck walk.
26:50So, duck walk is when you like go on like this position and then you kembot and then step and
26:55then kembot.
26:56Yeah.
26:56So, that's how it goes.
26:57And then finally at the end of the training, we do like the walk and then the trainer like teaches
27:02us the parts where we look awkward or weird.
27:06So, yeah, that's how it goes.
27:08So, that's like two or three hours in a day.
27:11Yeah.
27:11And how many times in a week, especially when you're approaching the pageant day already?
27:18I think I do it like two or three times a week as much as I really can or as
27:25much as we can afford.
27:26But some girls do it more often than I do.
27:30I don't really do it that much because I try to focus more on Q&A training because I feel
27:36like when I'm confident mentally, my kembot will just like follow along.
27:41Oh, yeah, because you're not stressed.
27:43Yeah, exactly.
27:44So, yeah, I don't train that much.
27:46But I know some girls do it like five times a week or like almost every day.
27:52I remember in high school when I used to do pageantry in high school, I would wear heels around the
27:57house just to get used to the heels and the pain in the calves.
28:02Because how long does a pageant night usually take?
28:05Because it matters.
28:06Oh, really long.
28:07Yeah, I remember back in the day, like the pageant would start at 8 and then end at 2 a
28:13.m.
28:13And you're standing the whole time.
28:15Yeah, and it's really painful.
28:17So I would like wash the dishes in the house while like wearing heels.
28:20Like really, seriously.
28:21To develop the muscle.
28:22Yes, exactly.
28:24It's really tough.
28:25It's like training for a sport.
28:27That's also what I eventually learned.
28:32There's just so many parts of the pageant that a pageant queen would need to master.
28:40Yeah.
28:40And what people just see on stage is just a portion of all the hard work that they do.
28:48So the other one is also which part of the competition, although I joked about this earlier, but which part
28:55of the competition in which most, and this is for our would-be pageant holders, which most pageant queens are
29:05intimidated?
29:08Oh, like which part?
29:11Oh, yeah.
29:13I think some would really agree on Q&A because the question and answer is very challenging because you're in
29:21front of so many people.
29:23And then a lot of people don't realize that these girls are also humans, so they judge really quick.
29:29And that's where we get the fear of talking because we're afraid of being judged.
29:34But when you conquer that fear and you say what comes from your heart and you know you're a good
29:39person, that fear flies away because you know that what you're saying has integrity and what you're saying is serious
29:47and also something that came out of your soul, from you.
29:51So yeah, but yeah, even now, even the girls in Miss Universe, I know that they're also intimidated with Q
29:59&A, but yeah, it's just something that we have to conquer.
30:02Yeah, I also agree with you because it's biblical, but I also believe that from the abundance of one's heart,
30:10the mouth speaks.
30:12Exactly.
30:12So I agree with what you also said.
30:14So again, what is one thing the audience, because of course what the audience would see are all of you
30:20on stage, but what are the parts also in a pageant night that the audience don't normally see?
30:32Yeah, they don't see the rush backstage and all of the...
30:36How do you manage the changing from a swimwear to your account?
30:43How do you do that backstage?
30:44Because there are a lot of people.
30:45Oh, it's chaos.
30:46It's chaos because you're not only with the girls, you're with the handlers, the makeup artists, the hairstylists, and the
30:52staff, the dancers.
30:54So the bathroom can be really congested.
30:58So you know what we do now, at least what I do, I just change on the makeup seat.
31:04And I just bring like a cover-up, just so I can do a quick change because it's very chaotic.
31:11And then sometimes it's just like pure nudity backstage, which is very not healthy for the girls.
31:18But with the rush, we can't afford to wait in line.
31:23Or miss the gown.
31:25Yeah, exactly.
31:25Oh, by the way, did it happen already that, at least from what you observed, as a competitor or as
31:34a judge, that one lady did not really make it?
31:38Or everybody, at least from what you know, would really somehow find a way.
31:43When it's their turn, they're really ready.
31:48To be honest, I've been there.
31:51I've had a moment where I didn't make it in time, so I didn't get to walk on my designated
31:57time.
31:57But I just walked like at the end.
31:59So the order of the numbers were like scrambled because I couldn't get ready in time.
32:05And which one usually takes longer?
32:08Is it the hair or the gown?
32:11I think it's the hair.
32:13Because when you're wearing the gown, it can be quick sometimes.
32:17It's just like the removing of the other outfit and then changing into the new one.
32:21But the hair, because some artists like to change your hair during the pageant.
32:28So let's say from big, big wavy hair and then into a ponytail or into a bun.
32:36So it can take some time.
32:37It also depends on the ability of your hairstylist.
32:41So yeah, I would say the hairstyle can take the longest.
32:44And which reminds me because you also have your team.
32:49Who decides who goes into that team?
32:53And how much does a pageant queen have a freedom to choose who their designers will be?
33:03Or what the gown should look like?
33:05Yes.
33:06In my case, because I have a handler.
33:09So my handler chooses whom does my gown and who he hires for my makeup and hair.
33:16But also, I'm not really someone who likes to demand.
33:21So I'm okay with whoever he chooses.
33:23And I trust my handler.
33:24I know he knows what's good, so I trust him.
33:27But I do have times where I suggest, like, Ate, I don't really want to do this.
33:34Can we do this instead?
33:35I don't really want to wear this.
33:37Can we wear this?
33:38I don't really like my makeup like this.
33:41You know, I try my best to also speak up because before I used to just, like, leave it all
33:47up to them and then end up miserable on stage because I didn't like how I look.
33:51But now I actually have, like, a confidence to speak up.
33:55So it's more collaborative with me and my handler rather than just me being dictated what to do.
34:02Do you have a lucky pageant gown collar?
34:07I don't have a lucky gown collar, but I definitely have a lucky number, like a candidate number.
34:14Really?
34:14Yeah.
34:14And what is that?
34:15I have two.
34:16I have number 11 and number 8 because I remember I joined a pageant twice with both of those numbers.
34:25So four pageants and I won all four with those numbers.
34:29So it just grew into my lucky number.
34:33Okay.
34:33So we're about to, I'm enjoying so much the conversation, but we have a time limit.
34:39Yeah.
34:39So how has pageantry changed you as a person?
34:44And it's taught me how to grow up, like, very quick and how to understand how the world works.
34:51Because when I used to live in the island, I was very ignorant to, let's say, the realities, like, the
35:00tough spots that people put themselves into.
35:03And with pageantry, I learned to see that other perspective, like, for example, with poverty or with the lack of
35:11education.
35:12And pageantry really taught me that real life is not just butterflies and rainbows.
35:19And sometimes it's up to us to take action and it's also up to us to find a way to
35:28make the world a better place, as cliche as it sounds.
35:31So, yeah, I grew up being independent, but also someone who has compassion and also as someone who knows what
35:40to do.
35:41So now this is your chance, because I'll give you a space for you to also talk about, because I
35:48know you advocate for a lot of causes, but Sige, your three causes, so that our viewers can also join
35:56you in those journeys.
35:57Okay, so my three causes, I do a lot in my life, and I have a lot of things that
36:04I am really passionate about.
36:06But for today, I would like to share about, I trained jujitsu for 11 years.
36:14So I really like to advocate with self-defense, because I know it's very tough with our community right now,
36:24where we have to be afraid.
36:25And also, I really like to encourage women and children to be confident and not afraid to just get out
36:31and have that instilled in the back of their mind.
36:34Also, I have PCOS, so I'm really strong with women's health, because I've realized here in the Philippines, we don't
36:42have much resources.
36:45And every time I go to my doctor's appointment, I always get told, just come back if you want to
36:50get pregnant.
36:50And that's very sad. And I know I'm not the only one who has experienced that.
36:55So I like to advocate for women's health, too. And hopefully, I could do something about it in the future.
37:01And also, another one would be with, I would say, also education, because after my pageant, my recent pageant, I
37:14realized that the Philippines lacks comprehension, especially if you're aware with Facebook right now, what's going on with our government.
37:27Education is really important in the Philippines, and people need to have that literacy in it.
37:35And it starts with the very basic, basic in the house and then outside as a kindergarten.
37:42So yeah, I hope that one day, especially with my reign this year, I can do something about those things,
37:49because I really believe that the Philippines has so much to offer.
37:52And I really believe that it's up to us, especially as the youth, to do something about our issues here
37:59in the country.
38:00And maybe one day, we can see this country flourishing as a first world country.
38:05You know, I'm really excited with that thought.
38:08I'm really excited whenever I think about how the Philippines looks like, maybe in hopefully five years or 10 years
38:15when we are corruption-free, poverty-free.
38:20We never know.
38:21So it always starts with us.
38:23And you have the voice.
38:24So it starts within all of us.
38:29And I'm glad also that you emphasize that, yes, it starts with us.
38:33So if we want corruption-free, and then we want to vote for the right people, so it starts with
38:40us.
38:40It starts with us.
38:41Yeah.
38:42So now let's go back to, in the beginning, we started with little Sophie.
38:46Now let's go back to little Sophie again.
38:49If you would see a seven-year-old Sophie today, what would you tell her?
38:57You know, the funny thing is, I did see a little Sophie that is like around seven years old.
39:04The story starts with, I came from, I think it was a heritage tour for Ms. Mandawe.
39:10And I was driving my bike on the way there.
39:12So on the way home, I was also driving my motorbike.
39:15And in the parking lot, in front of the church, because here in the Philippines, we always have this thing
39:21called parking boy, parking girl.
39:24So there was this little girl who came up to me holding a batch of candles on her arms.
39:30And then she's like, hi, ate.
39:32And then I had like a conversation with her.
39:34And I asked her, hi, dear.
39:37What's your name?
39:38Why are you out so late?
39:39And she said, hi, I'm Sophie.
39:42Like, true story.
39:43I was like, oh, we have the same name.
39:45I'm also Sophie.
39:46I said, what are you doing so late?
39:48I'm collecting your, I'm collecting your parking, of course, in Visaya.
39:51So yeah, I gave her like 10 pesos.
39:54And then I told her like,
39:55die, paulit na, die.
39:56It's too late.
39:58It's night na.
39:59Paulit na.
40:00And then she said, oh, ate, I'm still working, ate.
40:03Kung a day, okay na na, die.
40:05See you tomorrow, ha.
40:06Mabalik ko direi.
40:08And then it, I, you know, it, it really like struck my heart.
40:11Because I, I realized it's little Sophie.
40:15Like, in an alternate universe, like, that's me.
40:18And having, having that experience and seeing her go through that,
40:24it really like, um, softened my heart.
40:27So, you know, if I were to come back to my past, little Sophie,
40:32I was also not really like, like her.
40:35But I lived a similar life in the island with my mom.
40:39And I realized that the children really are, are our future.
40:46And that's, that moment can shape their entire life.
40:49So if we were able to give them a better life,
40:53when their life begins, and when their life starts,
40:56maybe their future will be so much brighter than what they have,
41:00what they have on their plate.
41:02So yeah.
41:04Yeah.
41:04That, that experience like really like touched me and struck me,
41:08to be honest.
41:08And yes, I would advocate also for what you said,
41:12that they are, somebody on their way.
41:17So it's also good that for them to beat Ate, Sophie.
41:21Yeah.
41:22And treating them right.
41:24And supporting them.
41:26Exactly.
41:26In that journey.
41:28So that's, that's a very good message already to end this episode.
41:32But I don't want to let you go without you filling in the blanks.
41:38Beyond the headlines, Sophie Grenmo is?
41:42Sophie Grenmo is independent.
41:45Okay.
41:45So thank you very much for joining us today.
41:49You are a student.
41:50You're also a model.
41:51And you have your pageant responsibilities.
41:53But you made time for Beyond the Headlines.
41:56So we're just as grateful.
41:58Thank you so much for having me, Sir Darwin.
42:00Thank you so much, everyone.
42:02I hope you guys enjoyed listening.
42:04And see you around.
42:06Yes, we'll see you soon.
42:08So today we learned that while a crown may rest on the head,
42:12its true weight is carried in responsibility,
42:16service, and the commitment to be a positive influence on others.
42:21I'm DJ Moises.
42:23This is Beyond the Headlines.
42:24Thank you for joining us.
42:25Have a good weekend.
42:37You're welcome.
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