Almost, if not everyone’s lives were bombarded when the clock slowed down due to the wrath of the cytokine, worldwide. There have been plans that went on detour to cope up with the current state, but there were also plans that was permanently set aside for the highest good. On 2021, the world gradually opened its doors to give chance to what was left off—then birthed to the rise of all else that showcases the shenanigans for everyone to enjoy.
For some, it’s the almost-slept-in talents that they have chosen to awaken —once again, the stages have been dusted off.
The Prologue
For Miss Puerto Princesa City 2021, what was of the pandemic’s box surprised her by a supposed plan of about five years (ago) now. On 2016, she was about to join the same pageant that she holds a title now, but come few years forward, she saw her herself to just focus on her work as a Guidance Practitioner and bound-to journey for a Master’s Degree.
“Akala ko nga last ko na yung Miss PSU 2015,” she shared.
In lieu of the worldwide biological warfare, she thought that maybe most of the community also did not expect to be able to still hold pageants which made her thoroughly think if she is really up for it to join.
“When the pandemic came and interfered with my preconceived plans, the only goal left to me was to live a life of meaning and purpose,” said the Miss Puerto Princesa 2021, recalling how living the pandemic taught her unpredictability on the course of life.
“It showed us that no matter how much we plan and prepare, the world and our lives are not in our hands,”
“I learned to let go of my plans, just let God do His craft on my life, and hold on to Proverbs 19:21 (Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the God’s will that prevails”),” she added.
However, when Miss Puerto Princesa City 2021 started to give out invitations for the possible candidates, Palawan State University also received one, and given the situation of it being amid the pandemic, there was no existing Ms. PSU queen.
“Medyo mahirap humugot ng student that time. It just so happened that I work in the same university, and was known as a former Miss PSU, who has no other major pageant experience,” and said that she was actually hesitant when called upon to represent.
“Sabi ko, mukhang I have to make a lot of adjustments para dito, which I couldn’t easily afford, kasi simple lang naman ako, at hindi ako sanay,” said Jemimah.
Later on, all her worries went away when all the chaotic schedules, expenses, and hindrances smoothened out, then leading her to take it as a sign to prepare for the 2021 pageant.
“Looking back, it was not easy to say ‘NO’ the time I knew I wasn’t ready, pero as of now, deep inside, I feel like, buti na lang I followed my intuition 5 years ago,” emphasizing that the course of five years made her realize that everything really happens in its right time.
“It was out of my plan, but I could say that it was so much better than what I had in my mind,”
“I realized that we truly live our purpose not when we exhaust all our efforts in trying to look for it everywhere else, but when we simply entrust it to our Maker,”
The Walkover
During the reign itself, Jemimah articulated her several visitations and gift-giving projects in the natives residing on the Sitios Barangay Concepcion, Barangay Tanabag, Barangay Maoyon, and Barangay Manalo, through the efforts of Miss Puerto Princesa Organization and Raine Bayron and their team.
“I was also able to join in one scheduled visitation together with our Miss Puerto Princesa 2020 and Miss Palawan Earth 2020–Xena Bunio. I am very grateful to the organization for involving us in such activities,” she shared.
Not only that they get to explore the farthest barangays but she also attained new perspectives in life upon mingling with the community, to see their smiles, and to make them remember that the rest of the city will never forget them.
On this upcoming February 14, about a few days before the transferring of her crown to the next queen, she storied how excited she is for her another project.
“I am very excited din for another scheduled project for the victims of Typhoon Odette in Brgy. Macarascas and Brgy. Binduyan together with our candidates this year,” and said that they have prepared activities and gifts for all her beloved kababayans in the vicinity.
She also shared the activities and projects that she has been doing aside from the Miss Puerto Princesa Organization.
“I also gained a wider opportunity to conduct talks about my advocacy on Mental Health with the guidance and support of my personal mentors and colleagues,
“After I was crowned, there were various invitations from students, from the Sangguniang Kabataan ng Puerto Princesa,” and even some Church organizations that invited her to talk about her journey in life as well as her advocacy stance.
“This is also a great opportunity to let people know where they can get help just in case they need it,”
The High
Jemimah believes that her winnings in life is not hers alone to enjoy, said the it was about God who have divinely place the right people and resources that she needed that time. She also expresses her gracious thanks to her family, closest friends, and the love of her life who have given her blessing and all-out support throughout her Miss Puerto Princesa City 2021 journey.
“I’m also thankful to my PSU family, my Psychology Alumni family, my colleagues, and our dear students,”
“If not for them, I wouldn’t be here. Sila ang dala ko, ipinagkatiwala nila sa akin ang pangalan ng unibersidad,”
“I’m thankful most especially to Sir Ramon Docto, Sir Arben Cadigal, Ma’am Vernaluz Mangussad and her husband, Ma’am Vina Baaco, Ma’am Amabel Liao,”
My whole Team OSAS, Ma’am Grace Abrina and Ma’am Lucy Fresnillo, who were very supportive,” she said, adding her gratitude to the City Government, Miss Puerto Princesa Organization, Fdream Team Production, and all the makeup artists and trainers who have dedicated their all in working and visioning her triumph.
She also takes the chance to share how she is grateful for her Psychology alumni family in Palawan State University that have also helped to serve the needs of the community, in collaboration with Puerto Princesa City’s Medical Mission Team who have extended their Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MPHSS) to the affected families and victims of Typhoon Odette at Sitio Macandring, Brgy. Langogan, Brgy. Consepcion and Brgy. Tanabag last December.
“Many families, many children were affected, traumatized, and were left hopeless. We were able to conduct Psychological First Aid (PFA), to assess the situation and to link them to the right avenues according to their needs,” she said.
Looking like an Epilogue (but not)
In a few weeks now, a Miss Puerto Princesa City 2022 will be hailed to continue what was left off Jemimah’s project and advocacies, if not, to top it even more for the development of the city. After her reign, Jemimah aims to be back to her normal routine—to work, study, and all else that she is also doing even during her reign.
“As of now, I would like to enjoy lang muna the remaining days of my reign. I want to treat it as if it would be my last,”
“Other than that, I’ll just let everything fall into place,” said Jemimah, the Miss Puerto Princesa City 2021.
Although no said plans yet, seeing the Miss Puerto Princesa City 2021 on the nationals is a big yes, not only for city, but isn’t it just fulfilling to see one of our own in dazzling long gowns representing our haven? Surely, it is one of the moments to look out for.
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