THE once dormant stage has now ignited once again. Bearing the title “Liyab ng Leon,” it has opened its floor to students who wish to represent their department and showcase their talent, beauty, wit, and charisma. After five years of the ‘Mr. and Ms. San Beda’ title being unclaimed, that hiatus finally came to an end as Paolo Miguel Mackay (III-BSP) and Ymannuelle Torres from (III-BACMS) were crowned last  Jan. 19.

In an interview with THE BEDAN HERALD, the newly crowned king and queen were asked why both candidates joined the pageant. Mackay said, “...There were so many people pushing me to compete because they believed in me, I decided why not.” As for Torres, she wanted to represent her course well,  “prove that people who pursue the arts and are in the creative field have something to bring to the table,” she added. 

Even before the show starts and the lights come on, their growth journey begins, extending beyond the crown and sash. The two were asked what significant incident they experienced during their pageant journey. These defining moments leave an unforgettable mark on the canvas of their lives. “Seeing the many people working so hard for me during the pageant and that really inspired me to do my best for the people who put their blood, sweat, and tears into this pageant,” shared Mackay — these moments revealed the essence of their character. “It was definitely shooting my advocacy video. I got to showcase my hometown, Aguilar, Pangasinan, and connect with the children whom I learned a lot from,” said Torres. 

Though this affair has an air of grandeur, the journey to success for the winners has not been all glitz and glamour. “At the start of the pageant, I entered too early,” Mackay said, yet despite this untimely mishap, he knew better than to crumble under pressure. “I had a choice to either let it mess with me for the rest of the pageant or come back from it; also, Mico Moreno (III-BSBA-FM), candidate number two, told me to keep my head up, which really helped me so thank you to him too, he is a great competitor and has amazing sportsmanship,” the newly crowned Mr. San Beda said—a tale of camaraderie at its finest. 

As for Torres, though she felt that the lack of a handler was a disadvantage, the support of her friends and department made up for that absence. “I had to be in charge of myself, from shooting, deciding on my outfits and scripts, and even making my own creative wear. I heavily relied on the help of my friends and my department, who were a huge help,” she said.

This year’s Mr. and Ms. San Beda have proven that beauty and brains are not mutually exclusive. They have truly captivated the audience with both their charm and their hearts. May the impact of their reign go beyond the limits of the stage, and their stories inspire and encourage us to embrace authenticity, resilience, and empowerment.