It is common knowledge that the Philippines is an ardent devotee of beauty pageants. Very much a part of the Filipino culture, hundreds of beauty contests are held throughout the country every year, from local barangay competitions to national competitions that take the winners to the global arena.

For the longest time now, women from one generation to the next, all across the Philippines, train in the hopes of becoming beauty queens and ultimately earn the opportunity to carry the national flag in the most prestigious pageants around the world. To do so entails serious efforts not just from the prospective candidate but, as the saying goes, an entire village of experts. In the end, they are rewarded with the overwhelming support of their community, province, region or the entire nation.