Beauty pageants are not only about looks

0
Francisca was fourth runner-up in Miss Malaysia World 2016.

Francisca was fourth runner-up in Miss Malaysia World 2016.

MOST people think beauty pageants are superficial and the contestants lack substance and ambition.

Francisca Luhong James Bungan begs to differ. She believes they play a vital role in the betterment of society.

“Beauty pageants help one develop self-confidence in one’s own worth and ability,” said the 20 year-old up-and-coming model from Kuching.

Back in high school, she used to get bullied for being tall and ‘odd’.

“I had low self-esteem back then but I had dreams and one was to become someone who could give back to my family and country.”

Although many people see pageants as outdated, Francisca believes they are still important in today’s world.

“When the people in the pageant industry and the community saw I had the potential to be a model and represent Malaysia in beauty contests, I started to feel good about myself and thought why not,” says the finalist of Miss Malaysia World 2016.

She sees Miss Malaysia World as a platform to represent the people of Sarawak and be their voice, especially those in rural areas.

Francisca points out that the pageant industry is not as simple and easy as it looks.

“It’s tough — and not just all about beauty. You need to be fit and make sure you look radiant all the time. Above all, you need to be well-informed on not only local but global events as well.

“Every beauty pageant has its own beauty project — that’s the main reason why it contributes a lot to society and the world,” she says.

The Beauty with a Purpose Programme, drawn up by the Miss World National Organisation, focuses helping the needy, including under-privileged children, to ensure they are not discriminated against but treated fairly and equally.

“Thus, I believe beauty pageants are not just about beauty as the winners also have wear the crown with dignity and give the people in their countries hopes for a better future,” she adds.

On her journey to modelling and the world of pageantry, Francisca says it started when she was talent-scouted by a makeup artist with whom she still works today.

“He came to my aunt’s shop to buy souvenirs for all of the Miss World 2014 contestants. Miss Malaysia World 2014 Dewi Liana Seriestha would present the gifts to all the participants in London at that time.

“He looked at me in a weird sort of way. When he approached me and asked if I was interested in modelling or joining beauty pageant, I just burst out laughing, not quite believing my ears. I thought he was joking,” she recalls with an impish smile.

Performing during the talent segment of Miss Malaysia World 2016.

Performing during the talent segment of Miss Malaysia World 2016.

Beauty with brain

Of Kayan-Kenyah-Iban parentage, Francisca who stands at 178cm tall and weighs 51kg, is a beauty with brain. She is in her third year of a Bachelor of Mass Communication degree course, majoring in Public Relations at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Melaka.

“It never occurred to me to do modelling. It kinda happened. Growing up, I loved watching America’s Next Top Model and beauty pageant girls develop their characters.

“But studying in an all-girls’school sort of taught me not to be overly bothered about looks. Moreover, I did not see myself in getting into modelling back then.

“Surprisingly, both (beauty pageant and modelling) have gone smoothly for me. I believe God always has plans for us. Who would have thought a quirky girl like me would end up in this industry.”

Francisca, now doing freelance modelling, says she is well taken care of by Borneo Pageantry, an organisation that coaches and grooms aspiring models and pageant contestants.

“All of us support each other. The Borneo Pageantry team scouts for talents who can go far in the pageant or modelling industry. The team will also be guiding me through Miss Malaysia as well. I have been with them for over two years now and they are like my second family.”

Francisca did not attend any fashion or modelling course previously but learned through experience.

“I did runway shows and some profile photoshoots. That was how I learned. It was a journey of little steps — I never had the privilege to attend modelling courses.

“I learned to model from social media on how to walk and pose. I believe modelling is my other talent I just discovered — and not at a very young age.”

Through HelpSomebody, Francisca provides hygiene packs to needy families.

Through HelpSomebody, Francisca provides hygiene packs to needy families.

No strict diet

She admits she does not follow any strict diet and will grab any fast food and just eat non-stop.

“However, I do pay close attention to the food portion on a daily basis. Breakfast is very important to start your day because you need energy. Having two boiled eggs a day is my favourite thing to start off the day, washing them down with a cup of tea or chocolate drink.

“I also go to the gym — usually three times a week — or go for a jog — at least four times a week.”

On her personal style, Francisca says it is casual and sometimes very laid back although she can go over the top with edgy or bold looks as well.

“I’m not really a fan of wearing dresses. Most of my friends say I dress a bit boyish, with yet a feminine side. I love wearing clothes that are comfortable but presentable — not over-dressed.

“Miranda Kerr and Candice Swanepoel are the few people who inspire me. The way they dress is so simple yet elegant,” she notes.

It is often said a good model should have good personality, and according to Francisca, who describes herself as vivacious, outspoken but patient, humility comes first.

“A good personality shows itself differently in different people. Be humble. That’s the key. You never know when your gift can be taken away — anytime.”

For Francisca, the hardest parts about being in the industry are the competitors she has to face and time management.

“You know beauty does not last forever, so it’s important to keep yourself fit and healthy at all times to maintain that level or build your name up even higher.

“Time management is so important in this industry. Once you are late, the managers of any runway shows will always remember your name and it can affect your reputation in the long run,” she explains.

On what she likes best about being in the industry, Francisca points to the opportunity to widen her social circle, get to know more people, especially those in the entertainment industry, and work on self-development.

Besides modelling, she reveals she also has a talent for dancing, having won the Miss Talent subsidiary title of Miss Malaysia World 2016.

The fourth runner-up of MMW2016 also won other subsidiary titles, including for Miss Elegance and Miss Natural Beauty.

On her goals as a model, she says she loves to be successful in the industry but admits it is hard to compete with new talents coming up every year.

“However, I always give all my best and I pray for everything to go smoothly.”

She enjoys being a model not just because of the glamour but because she realises it is something she loves.

“I never really pictured myself becoming one of the Miss Malaysia finalists even in high school — which is why I am truly blessed to have the opportunity.

“It’s really a pure blessing to be in this industry — and who would have thought a  girl who used to get bullied in school for being skinny and weird could take part in a beauty contest end up as a model. Sounds like a fairy tale but it’s my story.”

She says her journey in Miss Malaysia World 2016 went really well, adding that she met a lot of people, gained so much experience, learned a lot of things, and above all, made many connections in the entertainment industry.

“I really appreciate every moment I had in this pageant and all the lessons I learned from it — from being naïve to being more independent.”

For Francisca, her interest in joining Miss Malaysia World 2016 was a test of her own capabilities — to see how far she could go in and to build up her self-esteem.

“Miss Malaysia World is one of the best platforms for helping under-privileged children — by organising your own Beauty With A Purpose Project (BWAP) which I am looking forward to doing very soon.

“My goal of joining this pageant was to make my parents and my country proud and also to prove we could achieve our goals if we worked hard and proved to ourselves they are good enough,” she adds.

On her future plans after the competition, she says she will go back to her books, study hard to graduate, then gain more modelling experience since that is where most of her talents lie.

Francisca’s philosophy in life is drawn from the Bible — Philippians 4:13-15: “I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ give me.”

She has this advice to youngsters, including pageant contestants and aspiring models: “Be humble, work hard in silence, let success be your voice. Be determined, believe you can, set your goals and you shall receive.”

Francisca with special needs students of SMK Muara Tuang. The Borneo Pageantry team distributed more than 30 bags of goodies to the children.

Francisca with special needs students of SMK Muara Tuang. The Borneo Pageantry team distributed more than 30 bags of goodies to the children.