Kisses Delavin

PBB alumna joins MUPh search

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte

Former Pinoy Big Brother housemate Kirsten Danielle "Kisses" Delavin is trying her luck, once again, in another beauty pageant. This time, with the organization that selects the country's representative to the Miss Universe stage.

That's why her cryptic post on Twitter and Instagram with the caption "Eyeing the Universe," trended in both platforms yesterday. Kisses started her pageant journey very early on. In high school, she was crowned Miss Teen Campus and as Miss Alma Mater. In 2013, she was crowned Miss Teen Masbate, and, three years after, was crowned Miss Masbate 2016 and  Miss Kaogma, also in the same year.

During a colloquium on the Boy Abunda Talk Channel, Kisses was a speaker alongside pageant observers and aficionados, including Miss International Kylie Versoza. Kisses was so eloquent during the episode that Tito Boy encouraged her to join a national pageant - being tall, beautiful, and glib in tongue. 

So it came as no surprise when pageant fans read about her candidacy with the Miss Universe Philippines organization. Training with the Aces & Queens camp for the upcoming pageant, Kisses is currently finishing her Accountancy degree from DLSU.

Known by the adoring public by her screen name, Kisses Delavin, the Masbate native started her pageant journey when she was still a little girl. But everything was not rosy for Kisses at the start. She was considered a 'miracle baby' and was conceived only after her parent's eighth try. Also, she was diagnosed with a disease that the doctor said only had a 5% survival rate and, if she did, would turn her into a 'mentally retarded' individual. But, she proved them all wrong as she grew up normal, bright, and beautiful. Her story is one for the books, and this tale of hers is one powerful message she can bring to the Miss Universe arena.

In a social media post, MUPh national director Shamcey Supsup-Lee wrote that the theme for the 2021 competition is "Inspire You."

"A Miss Universe Philippines is a phenomenal woman because she has the ability to inspire others. This year, the three pillars are Roots, Transformation, and Charity. The MUPh Associated Partners Program ensures that as many cities and provinces throughout the country are well represented. 

"Join us as we take a deep dive into the interesting and moving parts of our culture as revealed in the eyes of our contestants. With the world-renowned experience of the key members of the MUPh board in bringing out the best in a Filipina, the goal is for them to find their unique best self that should also move other people to seek their best selves.

"It doesn't matter whether it is big or small, doing something good that can be sustainable should also inspire people to do the same," Supsup-Lee enthused.

Unlike last year's winner, Rabiya Mateo, who's considered a newbie in the field of pageantry, Kisses is a candidate with pageant experience, as evidenced by the number of searches she has been into.

Plus, as a person who encountered, first-hand, social media bashing in her teen years, Kisses is in a better place to handle criticism and not buckle with its hard blows. Though I must say her road to the crown is not a smooth one, as she is up against equally experienced and very capable aspirants.

But then again, she has proven how it is to be a 'miracle baby' so I guess the luck she's been borne with could shine its light in this undertaking, too. To Kisses, and the other 99 MUPh hopefuls, we wish you all the best of luck in your respective journeys to the 'Universe.'

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Images from Facebook/Kisses Delavin