May 2nd-May 9th - Miss USA Coaching Trip!

Friday morning I did another intense workout class in preparation for Miss USA.

The next couple of days I met up with my best friends Sarah and Liz and I went to dinner at Good Luck with Mike's family and friends! 

I also spent more time putting together outfits for Miss USA. Since the dress that I ordered to wear during my Miss USA interview was off of a website that was no longer running, I got another dress that I thought would be a good backup incase I didn't find one in time. 

On Monday I was supposed to fly to train with my sponsored pageant coach, Michelle Holmes, in Illinois but my flight was canceled so I had to go the next morning. In the meantime I started studying facts on bullying for an upcoming appearance I had. When I got to Illinois I had a nice time going to dinner with Michelle and her parents. The next morning we went shopping for wardrobe to wear to Miss USA since I would be there for two weeks and could be changing multiple times a day for different events. 

Then we went to a local gym where we had our own room for me to practice my walk and what to do during judges presentation before preliminary competition. I also talked to one of the workers and purchased protein powder for me to build more muscle from my workouts. Then we went back to Michelle's shop, The Pageant Room - Joyce's Boutique to look around and try on my Miss USA gown for tailoring. After dinner I read over some pageant interview questions before going to bed. Thursday morning we talked about my ideal dress for my Miss USA interview and Michelle helped sketch it. 

I called Arlene Sutherland, a designer from Rochester, New York, to talk about custom making the dress for me. She said that if I got the fabric I wanted and could fittings with her that she could do it! Then Michelle and I went over a lot of information including some interview questions to help prepare me for Miss USA. Later we went to Michelle's shop where I tried on my gown after the alterations were done! I walked in my gown and felt incredible! It was beautiful and perfect. Afterwards, the great makeup artist Hernan Rivera came to the store and did my makeup for a photo shoot! 

Then the talented and sweet team, A Marlow Photography, came and set up while Michelle got out some dresses and we had a great time shooting outdoors at a nearby winery/park and inside against backdrops.

The next morning we quickly looked at fabrics to start thinking about what I would get my Miss USA interview dress made out of. That concluded my trip and it was a great one! Thank you Michelle for this opportunity and to your family for their wonderful hospitality! Then I flew to New York City for an appearance! 

Apr 27th-May 1st - Miss Universe Organization Hometown Visit!

On Sunday I flew back to New York and on my flight I studied interview and speech techniques to prepare for appearances and my Miss USA interview. I also researched the negative financial impact of domestic violence and what companies are doing to help their employees who are affected.

When I got home I started taking pictures of my wardrobe to show Michelle Holmes, my pageant consultant, to get ready for Miss USA. The next day I got a spray tan and my nails done at Scott Miller in Pittsford, New York and then drove to New York City! When I arrived at my friend Dennise's apartment I studied current events in the news. The next morning I was supposed to have a dentist appointment with my dental sponsor but he canceled and also told me that he did not feel what I wanted was a big enough change for him to work on my teeth. My director Debbie was sweet in trying to find me another sponsor last minute but thankfully Contemporary Dentistry in Rochester, New York agreed to be my sponsor for Miss USA!

I was so thankful to know that not only I had a sponsor but one of the best in industry! Later in the day I had my second interview training session with Don Baker Communications. He went over more of what is in his book and we also practiced Top 5 questions. The Top 5 question is the category that the majority of contestants are the most nervous for. That applied to me as well but after answering  the questions in front of him it helped me to become a lot more confident!

Right after my meeting I drove back to Rochester, New York. The next day I went shopping for clothes for appearances and for Miss USA and I got my hair done at Scott Miller to get ready for the Miss Universe Organization to visit my hometown! My hair looked so incredible, thank you so much Alex at Scott Miller, love you!

That day I also spent time at the archery range and cuddled at home with our love Massimo :) The next morning I got my makeup done by Silvana at Scott Miller and it was beautiful! Then members of the Miss Universe Organization came over to do an on-camera interview and film me doing my hobbies! First I talked to Hilary about my background while the others set up the filming equipment.

After my interview they filmed my parents and I talking about our family background where my Dad explained the history behind items we have from the our ancestors in the Philippines. My Mom made a list of characteristics about me that describe why I deserve to be Miss USA and she had us all laughing because it was a huge long scroll of every positive word you could think of and more! The crew filmed her unraveling the list and reading words off of it while I laughed and hugged my Mom.

     

Then we went outside to film me doing archery. Soon after, something incredible happened! I shot a Robin Hood, which means I shot an arrow straight down another arrow! Everyone was so excited and said it was an omen that I was going to win Miss USA!

Then the crew, my parents and I went to eat lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. We had a good time getting to know each other and telling stories. Afterwards, we went to Fairport Karate Academy, which is a karate dojo that my Mom (who is a 6th degree blackbelt) owns. We demonstrated self-defense techniques that we especially like to teach to women and children. I also performed some katas that I have learned throughout my training. Karate was a big part of my life growing up and it meant a lot to have them film my Mom and I together at her dojo doing what we're passionate about.

The last stop for the Miss Universe Organization filming was at my boyfriend's family business, Scott Miller that consists of salons, spas and beauty stores where as a hostess and front desk coordinator I work to ensure that guests have a great experience.

I hope that the crew enjoyed their visit! After they left I went back to Fairport Karate Academy and taught a class with my Mom.