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We barely begun holding our breaths for the revelation of this year's Miss Silliman when Grace's name boomed throughout the gym, sending a small but boisterous crowd on the bleachers to stunned silence. Everyone rooting for her was speechless as we watched her smilingly accept her 2nd runner up awards and stood poised for roving cameras. Towards the end, Grace was glamorous and radiant while we, shocked and infuriated, were just gearing for battle.

What the judges lacked in decision, the spectators made up for in a series of congratulations and assurace that Grace was the most deserving of the title. As if pressure wasn't suffocating enough, Grace said "Sorry" to KMC President Lyde Villanueva and Masscom Dean Rose Baseleres as the latter hugged her and the former reassured her of what she knows deep inside - that she was the smartest and therefore the best. Dirgy looked as if ready to punched whoever caused Grace's defeat and Marianne, if I'd known better, might've cried at the news.

Miss CBA, in dazzling white gown and stunning over-all stage presence, deserved the crown and I have no qualms regarding her win. My congratulations goes out to her and the rest of the CBA family which technically includes me since I'm a black sheep of a management senior (hehe). However, while Sarah Martin was the epitome of a beauty queen - graceful, intelligent, and charming, Grace clearly embodied the qualities of a Miss Silliman.

As a trendsetter and oldest known campus beauty pageant in the country, the Miss Silliman is arguably not just a beauty pageant. It incorporates a woman's aesthetic and inner qualities creating a balance that transcends the society's concept of beauty. It takes pride in being represented by intelligent and empowered women, trendsetters and achievers in their own right, effectively leading and influencing others to join different advocacies for a healthier and more sustainably vibrant community.

Why then is today's Miss Silliman focused on prioritizing those with impressive stage presence? Does the pageant still uphold the tradition of selecting beautiful brainy candidates that are genuine and not pageant-influenced? If so, why was Miss Computer Studies made 1st runner up when a lot of people knew she didn't deserve a title at all? The fact that Grace's witty remarks was trampled by Miss CS's lame answers was so infuriating that Mich had to rant about it in her column.

"Bale wala nalang diay ang brains karon?," she wrote. And I couldn't agree more...

Grace's answer to the standard question about naming the best manifestations of a 21st century woman is that of global leadership. What else can you relate with 21st century but leadership? And how else can women be empowered if not by having the voice and confidence to lead?

Grace is the real deal. A true Miss Silliman in every sense of the word. Anybody opposing to the idea is a lowly mortal and like all dieties, we have no choice but respect their obscured judgment.