Miss Universe wants to be a singer
Tantri Yuliandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
What does it take to be the most beautiful woman in the universe? A sense of purpose, endless preparation and self-assurance according to Miss Universe 2003 Amelia Vega Polanco.
"Concentrate on what you want, mentalize what you want to do, focus and prepare. And through all that never forget your essence, your whole self," the 18-year-old said.
And it does not hurt to have a mother experienced in the pageant world either. Vega's mother, Patricia Polanco Alvarez, was Miss Dominican Republic in 1980 and competed in the Miss World pageant in the same year. "She being a beauty queen helps because she gives me tips," Vega said.
But she was quick to dismiss speculation that she had been pushed by her mother to win the crown.
"My mother never tells me 'you have to be that or this' she said, (instead, she told me) 'you be what you want, but do it good'. If my mother had told me 'you have to be Miss Universe' for sure I wouldn't be here," Vega laughed, adding cheekily that, "you never do what your parents tell you to do".
Always exuberant, the enthusiastic Vega -- Amelita to her friends -- said she hoped being Miss Universe would not change her everyday life. But she admitted that, "as a normal girl I wouldn't have been able to travel around the world and stay in beautiful hotels".
While Vega stays here she is the guest of the Putri Indonesia Foundation managed by Jamu connoisseur Mooryati Soedibyo. She said she loves Indonesian food and traditional Javanese massage.
"I love rice and beans and here you have very good food, and that's bad for me!" Vega joked, referring to her obligation to watch her figure. She said that she especially liked nasi kuning (yellow savory rice).
Every year, 75 to 85 beautiful women aged between 18 and 27 come from all over the world to compete in the Miss Universe pageant.
The pageant, now in its 51st year, is one of three produced by the Miss Universe Organization, managed by Donald J. Trump and the National Broadcasting Company Inc. The other pageants are Miss USA and Miss Teen USA.
The women compete for a chance to become the representative of the Miss Universe Organization for a year, travel the world meeting dignitaries, speak on behalf of the company and appear at events held by the sponsors.
"It's also a big chance for me to promote the Dominican Republic," Vega added.
The winner is also swamped with perks -- such as a luxury New York City riverside apartment, a fabulous wardrobe, US$27,500 in personal services, CBS casting opportunities and professional representation by the Miss Universe Organization.
"My country supported me, people there love the contest, they are fanatics of the contest and and now that they have a Miss Universe, they are very excited," Vega said.
What does a Miss Universe do after relinquishing her title? Many have gone on to careers in film and television, such as 1969's Gloria Diaz from the Philippines and 1980's Shawn Weatherly from the United States, and 1965's Apasra Hongsakula from Thailand married the first cousin of Queen Sirikit. But 1974's Amparo Munoz did not make it to the end of her reign -- she left to become a a soft porn star.
Vega, though, said she wants to be a singer.
"I would always be dancing and singing in the house, it's something I was born with, just ask my mother," she said. With her own album on the way, Vega entertained journalists with a Latin song during her media conference here.
"Maybe next time I will come here as a singer. You must all come to my concert!" said the niece of Grammy-award winning Latin musician Juan Luis Guerra.
But for the time being, Vega must concentrate on her duties as Miss Universe, including working with HIV/AIDS organizations like the Global Health Council, Cable Positive, amfAR, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, and God's Love We Deliver.
"Besides HIV/AIDS I would love to concentrate on the rights of women and the elderly and also child abuse."
The Miss Universe with a fear of flying will continue to travel the world.