Some of the less-hyped beauties of Bb. Pilipinas 2013 (Photo credit: Boyet Blas)

Let’s be honest. Nobody joins a beauty pageant for the experience alone. There are those who openly declare so. But at the back of their heads lies an underlying wish to upend the favorites and become successful in their first (or second) attempt in the big league. Because if the only motivation is to meet new beautiful friends and gain intermittent public exposure, then why go through all the trouble of training and preparation when one can easily join a Contiki travel tour where chances of getting acquainted with young people from all over the world are guaranteed, with the opportunity to visit other countries being part of the package.

Ellore Punzalan: another low-profile candidate

Back to the subject matter, does getting little (or no) hype mean reduced pressure for the Bb. Pilipinas 2013 candidates who are barely noticed by the ogling eyes of pageant fans and followers? Weeks have passed and there are those among the 50 wannabes who remain unnoticed. It’s not that they are significantly less beautiful. I think it’s more of letting the frontrunners shine every time. They may try making an aggressive move from time to time, but still fall short of making an impact.

Here are six ladies who have remained in the wings long enough. In order to make the most of the experience, they should start stepping out of the shadows of the favorites and begin their quest in a less silent manner. We all know that Amanda Navasero, Nicole Donesa, Lourenz Grace Remetillo, Paula Bernasor, Ellore Punzalan and Jacqueline Mayoralgo are ever present in all the activities. But who genuinely cares outside of their respective supporters?

In the very competitive world of beauty pageants, low profiles do not major ripples make. I remember last 1997 when Abbygale Arenas joined Bb. Pilipinas. She was rooming then with an unknown Kristine Florendo (who was only tagged as the niece of showbiz personalities Isabel Rivas and Dennis Roldan). The former constantly reminded her to never never step out of their unit unmade, shabbily dressed and in a non-winner mode. There should always be the mental conditioning that one is already a beauty queen in order to project a victorious aura. Of course we all know what eventually happened. Both ladies topped that edition with Arenas going to Universe and Florendo to World.

So this I say to the less popular girls – bring on your A-game asap! There will always be a room or two for surprises in the finals. And being called to center stage to assume a semifinal or final spot never fails to shoot one’s confidence beyond the ceiling of the Araneta Coliseum.

Okay, I’m going back to my (real) work now. An irate client is bugging me. 😉