1st Runner-up Best in National Costume
Miss Universe 2001
1.Who are your heroes?
Our national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal whom I admire for his skill, selflessness and patriotism. I also admire Gabriela Silang, one of our country's celebrated heroines for her courage, strength of character and principle. Lastly, I admire Josefa Llanes Escoda, the founder of girl scouting in the Philippines who was martyred because of her patriotism. Ms. Escoda was also a distant relative on my father's side.
2.What is the most interesting or unique thing that has ever happened to you (aside from winning your title)?
I was able to work with our country's pioneers in E-Commerce advocacy and in the process co-authored a book entitled "E-Primer: An Introduction to E-Commerce." The book was instrumental in the enactment of the Philippine E-Commerce Law.
3.List any special training you have had (music, art, drama, etc.).
I started lessons in classical piano at the age of seven, but
stopped when I was thirteen. I have had a year of training in classical choir
singing with the University of the Philippines' Singing Ambassadors. 4.What is your career ambition? What are you doing or plan on
doing to accomplish that goal?
I want to become a lawyer specializing in two fields: Cyber Law
or Information Technology Law and women's rights. As an aspiring Cyber lawyer,
I am currently involved in projects and policy initiatives relative to ICT
(Information and Communications Technology) advocacy. With respect to my
interest in women's rights, I hope to collaborate with existing organizations
with the same cause or to establish one for the purpose of educating women
about their rights and how they can assert these rights within the boundaries
of the law. 5. Describe where you were raised. Was it a small village, a
town, on a farm, in the country, or in a large city?
I was raised in a small mining community on a small mountain
known for its cool climate and its abundance of pine trees. The city, Baquio,
which is situated north of Manila, is also known as the "Summer Capital of
the Philippines" because during the hot summer months, foreign and local
tourists alike trek to Baquio to enjoy its cool breezy air. 6. What do you hope to be doing in ten years?
I still see myself active in the legal profession with a
foundation for women's rights (which I hope to be a pioneer in). I also want to
see myself as a director or a professor of Cyber Law in an institution I helped
establish. 7. What is your proudest personal accomplishment (other than
representing your country in this pageant)?
I would say my proudest accomplishment would be my being a
working student and being able to support myself through law school. It has
been tough swinging schedules and managing time because of work in the day and
school in the evening. I am happy that I have managed to do both. Zorah’s Interview from Global Beauties
in Puerto Rico.
1. What do you like best about Puerto Rico so far? I like the beaches. The moment I stepped out of the airplane I
found myself on familiar ground because you know that Philippines is so much
like Puerto Rico. We’re a tropical region and I really identified myself with
the place. It’s really a great place. It makes me feel like I’m at home. 2. What part of your preparation for the pageant, if any, do you feel you
haven’t completed yet or that you still have to work with? I recently won the Miss Philippines crown just march 10 so that
it’s just barely a month or so of preparation and I know that I just have to do
my best in every place. A lot of people have been helping me, giving me tools to
prepare with I just need some polishing in each area because I believe that
with each day I can better my performance I just have to do it the best I can. 3. In terms of political conflicts around the world, do you think it is a
beauty queen’s duty to adopt a position concerning these topics, or on the
other hand, you think that she should adopt a neutral position? I think that your being a being a beauty queen does not strip you
off of your perspective or your opinion of things. If you have an opinion about
a certain conflict or anything, I think it is a wonderful display of character
or principle if you assert your position or show the world where you stand and
I think that has to do much with diplomacy and the manner in which you present
your position. But I believe that you should have a position or a stand; if
you’re neutral, then say you’re neutral about it, but if you feel strongly
about an issue I think you should voice it out and share it. 4. If you were to be selected among the top three finalists, tell me a
question you would not want to be asked. I think that I’m prepared to answer any question because it’s my
perspective and if I’m asked a question it’s the sincerity that stands out and
if I do believe in a principle then there’s no holding back, I’m prepared to
answer any question. 5. In your opinion, what would be the perfect panel of judges in the pageant?
I know that the Miss Universe pageant has selected a very
competent school of judges and I leave it up to them. I believe in their
discretion. It is my position however that it would be nice to a representative
set of judges, a good set of judges so that each area in the world would have
fair representation. 6. Are you going to be Miss Universe 2001?
I know that if it’s really for me and if I deserve it then why
not. I’m here to win. I know that I’m not only accountable to myself I’m also
accountable to my country, the country I represent so I aim for the best.
