World Peace
I’ve always thought that the international beauty pageant contestant’s wish of
attaining "world peace" was dumb. But after having interacted with journalists from 10 different countries all at the same time, the longing and necessity to achieve such a unified global state, especially in the midst of war and racial conflicts, seem more pressing. I’m not saying that the journalists at the China-ASEAN coverage were at war. Sure, there were differences in culture and attitude, but everybody got
along really well. It was this sense of "getting along," despite our being a relatively small international group (compared to the United Nations, that is), that makes me desire for harmonious relations among nations. It is this very palpable state of peace between the journalist-delegates that I want to magnify to the world.
Okay, who am I kidding. I’m not saying that there were no tensions between the 
delegates. Of course, competition was high despite the fact that the coverage was open to all the invited journalists, as well as the local ones who just walked-in. Although they did not really represent their government or political ideologies, some delegates, especially from nations who have or used to have border issues initially did not interact with each other. And hey, I myself was not "Mr. Congeniality." Although I was my usual, smiling, bubbly
self, I had reservations about some delegates who were acting as if (or so I thought) they were more superior to the Philippines or to any country for that matter. But all of these notions and perceptions were wiped away because we all realized that we were the same in very many ways; we were all journalists to be sure, but more importantly, we were all human (and eating the same Chinese food that was served to us, may I add!) despite the differences and perceived advantages we have over one another.
Despite a country’s claim that their natural resources are more abundant, their 
tourist destinations are more captivating and their culture is more superior, the fact is we are all of the same mold. Even if this delegation’s news-gathering equipment is more advanced or a reporter’s writing and speaking abilities are excellent, at the end of the day, when the time of reckoning comes, none of these will matter. (In short, we will all die, get it?)
Seriously, it was really nice to see people who have only been made different by a
certain set of beliefs, cultures and lifestyles, disrobe themselves of the non-essentials and simply become thinking and feeling social beings. After all, that’s what the Creator of man meant for all His children.
If I were to give to give my farewell walk message as an outgoing beauty pageant titleholder, it would be this: "That the people of the world 
may learn to look beyond each one’s differences and see that each one, no matter what one’s race, religion or political affiliation may be, is really a brother, a sister, and an equal. This is what I dream of, this is what I hope the world will achieve, some day soon… And of course, world peace." Cheers!
