Binibining Pilipinas World, Maria Rafaela "Mafae" Verdadero Yunon will leave for China to vie for the Miss World 2003 crown along with 110 gorgeous delegates from all over the world. Tall, beautiful and intelligent Mafae Yunon, a niece off a former Miss Universe runner-up will no doubt give the powerhouse countries a run for their monies.
Here's a short interview with Bb. Pilipinas-World 2003 as she sets her eyes on the prestious Miss World Crown.
Mafae, you're leaving soon for China for the Miss World, how are you feeling? I'm sure, you're excited.
Yes, of course, I'm very excited. This is one of my dreams that is about to come true and I can't wait to experience this success of a life time! : ) hehehe!
I don't want to add pressure to you, but, honestly, what do you think of your chances? For us, I can say you have all the qualities of Miss World -- tall, beautiful, and intelligent.
Wow! Thank you, people like you and others that are very supportive of my success are my best assets that would bring and help me carry out a positive attitude in time of pressure... I believe I can win the crown by staying true to myself and the rest of the world!
Mafae, our Miss Philippines representatives since way back have been known as very competitive, your Aunt Desiree is one of them. They've won all but one major international beauty title - The Miss World crown. Why is this so elusive for the Philippines?
Filipinas are known for being beautiful. I heard from some beauty historians that Filipino beauty queens if not the best, were always being noticed especially during the 60s, 70s and even 80s. Those were the times when we got our first Miss international, Ms. Gemma Cruz, two Misses Universe, Ms. Gloria Diaz and Ms. Margie Moran, then two Misses International, Ms. Aurora Pijuan and Ms. Melanie Marquez, and many many Filipinas who became runners-up in the international competitions, including my Aunt Desiree, and the nearest to cling the Miss World title was Ms. Evangeline Pascual. Ms. Miriam Quiambao was a fave for the Miss U crown that year and emerged as first runner up.
At present, we have Michelle Reyes, who has two international titles, Ella Evangelista, my co-batch in Binibini got one, too. Hope I could finish the same. All I know is that I'm not going to let you down when I come to China. All my supporters like you are my inspirations to that goal.
Oh, you actually have strong semblance with Miriam Quiambao! Actually, even when just looking at you, you never fail to impress me. Have you ever dreamed as a child of becoming a beauty queen, or following on your Aunt's footstep?
Thanks! When I was little, I vaguely remembered on looking up to my aunt and seeing her on magazines but as I grew older I was more like a tomboy, into sports up until I joined the Miss Philippines-Australia 1998 and saw my potential to winning a beauty pageant and at the same time helping the need brought my attention to use my god given talents to strive more in life through entering the world of beauty pageants... Which lead me to joining the Binibini.
Does she give you advice?
Yes, of course, my aunt Desiree is very supportive and I love her for everything she has taught me.... She has really uplifted me with encouragements and helped me see the inner beauty of what a true beauty queen entails!
What are your dreams in life besides being a beauty queen?
Living a long and happy life with the people I love! Help make a difference in uplifting the less fortunate especially the homeless children!
Has your winning Bb. Pilipinas changed your life?
Yes it has for the better because it has opened up my eyes to seeing what I can offer the world with assets that god has given to me!
How do you see yourself, say, ten years from now?
Hopefully, happily married with beautiful children that I can share my experiences with and enable them to live a happy and productive life by learning from mine!
Are you going back to Australia after your reign?
I would love to go back to Australia to visit my family and friends, although, I feel that the Philippines will be my home for opportunities that may be available to me.
You've been a part of the two different countries with different cultures, what traits of you are Filipino? Australian?
My strong in God is always there. Back when I was little, my parents would always bring me to the church. They taught me how to pray the rosary. Filipinos always pray. We pray before and after sleeping, we pray before and after eating, and whenever we like to pray. It's in our hearts. It's very natural to us.
Speaking of eating, I like our own dishes like chicken adobo and all vegetable dishes. I remember that whenever I was sick, my father attended to me and served me lugaw (rice soup) and tokwa, which are very good sources of carbo and protein. Maybe that's because I have a healthy body. My being Australian is obviously my way of speaking because of my Australian accent. I also got their confidence, my perceptions in seeing things and weighing situations. I am outspoken. I say whatever I need to say. What you hear and see in me is what you get.
The good thing in living in two countries is that you become more mature, more exposed to different people, different cultures and environments. Being multi-cultured makes me conservative, careful and at the same time assertive, which is an advantage on my part.
You mentioned in an interview that you are a sports buff. Who do you admire in sports?
Oh, I admire Steffi Graff. Because she played fair and clean. She never complained. She's kind, you'll see it in her eyes and gestures. And she's beautiful, too! An epitome of a modest yet outstanding woman in sports. For men, I like our very own Efren "Bata" Reyes and Paeng Nepomuceno. They are world-class! I also like Chinese NBA player, Yao Ming, who's playing with the Huston Rockets, and tennis great from Thailand, Paradorn Srichapan.
What if a fellow Miss World contestant asked you to tour her in the Philippines for only a day, where will you bring her?
For a day only? First, I'll bring her to our house. I'll introduce her to members of my family. She'll surely receive our warm welcome and hospitality, plus our delicious delicacies. I'll serve her the best mangoes in the world direct from Zambales, which is near Tarlac, one of my places in the Philippines. By the way, isn't it an off-season for mangoes? (Laughs)
It will be hard to decide where she's gonna spend the rest of the day. One day is very short. Come on, we have 7, 107 islands and only two or three are affected by the Abu Sayyaf terrorists. Ahh... there are so many beautiful places to go but maybe I'll choose Boracay. I'll bring her there because it's one of the best and finest beaches in the world!
Aside from being a very good tourist guide, you're also a linguist, are you? How many languages do you speak?
Thank you! I speak fluent English. Filipino as well but not as the Tagalogs do. I could speak basic French, Spanish, Japanese and Mandarin. Some of them, I started to learn during my early years in schools. But I must admit that I sometimes get confused with two languages, like when speaking Mandarin, I'd confuse it with the Japanese and vice versa.
What would you tell the Chinese people when you get to China?
I'd tell them how beautiful their country is. And people are unique, cultured, highly-principled, spiritual and beautiful just like us, Filipinos. I would ask them how do they preserve their natural resources and the beauty of their country inspite of the fact they're the highest in population, which is more than 1.3 billion. Whew!
What is your ideal man? Have you left someone in Australia?
(Smiles) With the schedules I have, how could I? But in case there is one, he should be a real gentleman, responsible, principled, kind to all people, adaptive and flexible.
Mafae, my final question to you, if you had three wishes for the world to make, what would you wish?
Well, first, housing and good parenting for homeless children. Second, quality education for all. Because I believe that the power of oneself and of a nation can only be obtained by educating oneself or the people. And third, for everyone to love one another. That's where everything good and nice starts. By these wishes there's assurance of world peace. We'll surely achieve harmony and prosperity.
Thank you very much, Mafae!
Thank you very much, too. I'd do my best and I won't let you down! (Smiles)
(Special thanks to Mr. Jay D. Patao for additional photos, Mr. Hannibal Marayag, and Ms. Josie Santos of BPCI for the kind accommodation.)
