The Centicore Vanguard emerged victorious at this year's Ginoong Malakas at Binibining Maganda 2024 pageant. From this unrivaled faction hails both the finest beauty and the most formidable might. As they passionately share the advocacies that resonate deeply within their hearts, let us delve deeper into their journey of personifying the true spirit of a vanguard, one who loudly and proudly spark change.
Binibining Maganda: Where talent knows no gender
Representing the Centicore Vanguard, formed by the standalone College of Agriculture and Food Science (CAFS), Ma. Fatima Gumba charmed both the audience and the judges with her unmatched grace. She then went on to win four of the five minor awards namely Best in Production Number, Best in Beachwear, Best in Sportswear, as well as Best in Obstacle Course Racing.
But akin to the elegance of her pasarela, attire, and presentation, Gumba was a woman who walked the talk. In the Q&A round, she expressed her heart for the advocacies she holds dear.
In an interview with Gumba, she revealed that she found her win to be unexpected, and would not be so without the support of her family, friends, and team. Yet, she maintained a consistent theme to her answers, one of strength and perseverance that she hoped she would be able to reverberate towards other young women.
Throughout the pageant, Gumba revealed her position as a Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Cadet Officer. Further, she stipulated to have goals of pursuing her advocacy for the empowerment of women even after the pageant. Through this, she repeatedly highlighted her commitment to pushing limits, not just of one’s self, but also that of society’s—especially in navigating male-dominated fields.
She acknowledges the inequality of expectations between men and women, where women are made out to be unable to partake in “activities of extremity,” yet she continued to debunk this with her own action and perseverance as an ROTC Cadet Officer.
As a final saying, she addresses the Viscan community: “I want to plant the seeds of strength, and hope that perseverance and determination can make you reach your goals.”
Ginoong Malakas: The strength reflected in voicing social change
In the pursuit of voicing the voiceless, Kobe Joshua Juanillo, a Bachelor of Science in Development Communication (BSDC) student, stepped into this year’s pageant with a vision that transcended conventional competitions. To him, it is not just a pageant of physical display but a compelling platform for championing social change.
At the very outset of the event, Juanillo mesmerized the crowd by exhibiting his captivating charisma as he graced every corner of the stage. From the production number, beachwear, sportswear, and formal wear showcases, he consistently displayed unrivaled masculine charm and charisma.
In an interview, Juanillo gave a sneak-peek into the backstage of the successful event. After all the hard work he put into polishing his practices, he hopes to have made his faction, Centicore Vanguard, proud.
He also enjoyed the pageant event the most because of the presence of other candidates, including his friends, alongside him, in what he called a “healthy competition.”
As such, he expresses pride for everyone’s performance as a whole, believing everyone to be equally deserving. But beyond all the sparkles, he lived up to his vision and provided substance.
Having grown up in a marginalized community, Juanillo witnessed firsthand the existing inequality that plagued minorities. This realization fueled Juanillo's passion for community service, social programs, and youth organization commitments, inspiring him to pursue a degree in DevCom to further articulate what most marginalized people struggle to express—the fight for change, equality, and respect.
In the competition's final Q&A portion, Juanillo boldly unveiled another form of social transformation he advocates for, this time, in the realm of gender equality. He expressed his will to wield Ginoong Malakas 2024 as a catalyst for him to become a foreman in fighting against gender disparities, citing a quote that encapsulates his vision: “Si Maganda ay pwedeng maging Malakas at si Malakas ay pwedeng may lambot na maipapamalas.”
With hearts set on amplifying the unheard calls for change, both Juanillo and Ma. Fatima aspires to redefine Ginoong Malakas and Binibining Maganda as titles that not only rely on physical prowess but also reflect the strength to fight for social reconstruction.