INDANG, Cavite. — As a young child, Angel Brahms Malavea Bernaldez was often bullied for her dusky complexion, an experience that apparently drover her to enlist in the Reserve Officers Training Corps.
Hoping to build her character and discipline through the program, Bernaldez showed everyone last Saturday night that the ROTC program is blind to bigotry and discrimination.
This explains why with the right blend of smarts and personality, the Bicolana morena beauty topped 25 other entries to emerge as the Miss Reserved Officer Training Corps Regional Games Luzon champion in the pageant last Saturday night at the Cavite State University International Convention Center here.
A native of the fishing town of Rapu-Rapu, Albay and an ROTC Army cadet, Bernarldez, like the rest of the other contestants, were asked to parade in both regular and parade uniforms, execute military movements like hand salutes, plus the usual question-and-answer segment.
The Bicol University elementary education freshman said she won the nod of the judges with her answers when asked about her advantage over the rest of the field.
“I humbly replied that I believe my dark skin complexion was my advantage because I want to bring it to (a) bigger platform as my own advocacy against bullying and discrimination because of our skin color,” she said in recalling her experiences and the reason why she was drawn into the ROTC.
“Indeed, we can do so much more as one and do so much more,” added the dusky Bernaldez, an only child whose father is a security guard and mom, a former OFW, and presently full-time homemaker.
The newly-crowned Miss ROTC Luzon winner was surprised and delighted that she won, and now feels pressured at the same time.
“I really did not expect to win because others seemed better in their walking and talking.
The way they moved was exceptional. Now, I also feel pressured since the competition is not yet finished with the national finals coming up. I need to be better in the way I talk and walk,” she stressed.
Crowning her were guests of honor Sen. Francis Tolentino, the moving spirit behind the ROTC Games, and Commission on Higher Education chairman Prospero de Vera.
