At fifteen, Daisy Reyes won Mod Cerinas de Manila pageant, her first taste of pageantry. A year after, she tried her luck at Eat Bulaga’s Beautiful Girl but failed to make it to the finals. While in college at Arellano University, a talent scout spotted the statuesque beauty and prod her to join Miss Manila pageant placing second runner-up. In 1995, she joined Mutya ng Pilipinas pageant winning second runner-up to Maricel Morales and Faith Amigo. The title Mutya ng Pilipinas Expo-International gave her the opportunity to represent the country in Miss Expo-International pageant in Ecuador that year where she landed in the top five. She joined Bb. Pilipinas a year after. Inspite of the insurmountable pressure, she stood her ground and was finally crowned Bb. Pilipinas-World and was also awarded the Best in Long Gown. She went on to compete in Miss World pageant in India representing the Philippines. Though she failed to make it to the top ten, she was adjudged Miss Personality in a bevy of 89 world beauties.
Was becoming a beauty-queen really a big dream for you?
“Not necessarily becoming a beauty-queen but I remember I have always been fascinated with the glitz and glamour of pageantry. I didn’t even think that I could join and win kasi medyo tomboyish ako nun. There were people who would normally encourage me to try pageants then pero wala lang sa akin. As you all know, we were not rich. Funny nga kasi I remember, everytime sasali ako, tatanungin ko muna kung magkano ang cash prize!I think maybe I was just reluctant to accept that it was a dream kasi nga medyo insecure ako nun... feeling ko ang pangit ko. But eventually I got convinced na rin that I can be one and so that’s when I started really taking pageants seriously. Maybe becoming a beauty-queen was more of a challenge than a dream”
You won second runner-up (Mutya Expo-International) in 1995 and you even placed 4th runner-up in the international competition. What made you join Binibining Pilipinas?
“Sabi ko nu’n, I won’t stop hangga’t wala akong national pageant title. There were some who were discouraging me then not to join anymore but I really wanted it. So even without much preparation, I went to Araneta for screening alone. Of course I was thinking then what if I won’t make it to the top ten.. kakahiya.. but I went on. Our batch (1996) was competitive. There were lots of models. Kaya nga sobrang iyak ko nun when I was named Bb. Pilipinas-World.”
You were voted as Miss Personality in Miss World pageant in India. How were you chosen?
“What happened was, they asked all candidates to pick three countries who they think has the perfect personality for the crown. Out of 89.. If I remember it right, I think, I was voted by fifty plus candidates. I was elated with that award. At least I brought something home for the country. Yedda, Aileen and I were happy with our pageants kasi somehow we performed well. Aileen was voted Miss Photogenic in Miss Universe, Yedda naman was in the top 15 and Miss Personality naman ako sa Miss World. Sabi nga sa akin nu’n ni Mrs. Araneta, You may not have won the nod of the judges, but for all the candidates, you were the winner.”
We all know that it’s not easy joining beauty pageants. What is the hardest part of it?
“Joining pageants is supposed to be fun. It is so kasi you meet and befriend a lot of people specially your fellow candidates. You spend time together during shoots, pictorials, travels, etc. But the hardest part of it is when candidates start to feel the competition and start competing during critical times. At times, you will be faced with issues being raised or used against you. The atmosphere changes really as coronation night approaches. During my time in Mutya and Binibini, while enjoying the whole pageant experience, I was also keeping a strong fighting spirit for the pageant. I wanted to win ‘coz I wanted to prove something to my detractors. But I realized I should do it not for them but for myself.”
What have you learned from all these pageant experiences?
I learned that in dreams begin responsibilities but on the other hand, lucky are those as well who dream dreams. We can keep on dreaming co’z they are free but you have to go out and do something. Turning dreams into realities entails sacrifices, hardwork and perseverance. Pageants have enriched me in a lot of ways. I have discovered more things and gone through many challenges that go with it. More than anything else, it’s what you become after that matters. In my case I have grown and become the more sensitive, independent, responsible and aware individual that I am today. If I would have to go through all those experiences again.. without batting an eyelash, I will as joining, winning and loosing in pageants were so far the most wonderful moments of my life.
PAGEANT TIDBITS
• Daisy used a borrowed pair of heels during the Long Gown competition. The pair she was supposed to use was stolen right before the Long Gown segment.
• Inspite of wearing a last minute-borrowed pair of heels, she still won the Best in Long Gown award.
• She didn’t have any personal trainor nor coach to help her out during Binibining Pilipinas.
• She was dethroned for one day but was given the crown back upon explaining to BPCI why she left for the U.S (it was an engagement Daisy signed prior to joining Bb.) and upon convincing them she came back in time for some scheduled BPCI activities.
• Daisy’s shoe size is 10
• Daisy’s roommate in Miss World was Miss Korea who was a reluctant Miss Korea, crying every night, wanting to go home.
• During Mutya ng Pilipinas, Daisy was crying in one corner during a visit to an Orphanage when an old lady approached her and offered an El Shaddai hanky saying “alam mo iha mananalo ka at sisikat ka pa.” True enough Daisy Reyes won Mutya Expo-International and Bb. Pilipinas World and forayed into showbizness, making a name for herself.
• During Miss Expo-International in Ecuador, Miss Venezuela was her closest friend. Daisy placed 4th runner-up while Miss Venezuela went away with the crown.
