Jason Harris
Meranie Gadiana Rahman currently holds several State, National and International titles including Mrs. Philippines World 2019 and Mrs. Guam World 2019. When she delivered her son three years ago, she, unfortunately, went into depression and nothing could actually help her. Moments later she entered her first pageant as per her husband’s recommendation, this lead to curing her depression and the beginning of her pageant journey.
We recently caught up with Meranie to talk about her journey to pageantry and here’s what went down:
1. How did you get into the pageant industry? How were you actually ‘discovered’?
After I delivered my son three years ago, I went into postpartum depression and nothing could help. Then on the advice of my husband, I entered my first pageant. While preparing for the Q&A section, I had to answer every question positively and that positivity lead to my cure from postpartum depression and my beginning for running for more pageants.
2. What do you like most about being a beauty queen?
I like their positive attitude which is so important in facing the challenges of competing for a pageant
3.The downside to being a beauty queen?
People expect you to be 100% perfect which is a challenge itself as we are all human being but I think trying to be perfect is rewarding in the end.
4. What has been the most memorable experience of being in the pageant industry so far?
My most memorable experience would have to be when all of a sudden I got sick due to an allergic reaction to an eye makeup spray and I experienced headaches, dizziness, loss of focus, nausea and several episodes of vomiting just an hour before the Mrs. Philippines World Pageant. First, I thought it was over for me but then somehow my mind would not give up. I went on stage and did my very best at Q&A, swimsuit, National Costume, and Evening Gown and ended up winning the Mrs. Philippines World Crown.
5. Who have been the most interesting people you’ve met so far?
Definitely World Champion Manny Pacquiao. For being such a famous World celebrity, he impressed me with his kindness, humility and his gentle manner.
6. What has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned while joining beauty pageants.
I believe that being true to yourself, being positive and giving your best are the most valuable lessons I have learned from pageantry.
7. Working in an industry whose only emphasis is on the outside characteristics of a person, how have you stayed grounded?
I believe things are changing now. Inner beauty is being considered equally important. There is lots of emphasis on women empowerment nowadays in pageantry. We have come a long way from just being housewives to community leaders, business owners, CEOs, and politicians including presidential candidates.
8. Is your family supportive of you being in the pageant industry?
Yes very supportive. Actually, my husband who is a physician by profession is also my pageant coach and mentor due to his involvement with pageantry in the past. So I feel lucky that pageantry is a family affair for my family.
9. What are your future plans? Inside your career or out of it.
My future plans are very clear right from the beginning. I’ll continue to be in pageantry to have a greater voice for my advocacy about postpartum depression and fight against drug abuse. I want to inspire others that even after getting married and having children one can live a healthy and happy life and still can promote her cause. An inspired woman can easily inspire others
The ‘LIGHTNING FAST’ Round
1. Last good movie I’ve seen: Jumanji: The next level – It is a great movie. It has adventure and it also shows what true friendship is all about.
2. What do you consider beautiful and why? Having a healthy body and having a beautiful face is typically considered beautiful but I believe that real beauty is the inner beauty of being kind, honest, hardworking and very positive. In other words, real outer beauty is a reflection of inner beauty
3. What haven’t you done yet that you wish you could? I believe I have accomplished a lot of what I wanted to do. I have a stronger voice now to promote my advocacy and empower women at a very young age and it is getting better and better.
4. Complete this sentence: “If I had no fear, I’d…” fly like a bird… and smile. I am afraid of heights!
5. What is the one “flaw” you wouldn’t change about yourself? I am very trusting. Trusting people has caused me grief many times but then I have made really good friends by trusting and things have worked out better in the end.
Jason Harris
