BY ALEX DADAMU
SHE is the real definition of a ‘beauty Queen’ with the most eye-catching headshots among the Miss Universe Philippines 2021 Official Delegates.
But what’s more interesting is her mix of Pinoy (Philippines) and Solomon Islander descent.
Solomon Women’s Newspaper Online is most honoured to have an exclusive interview online with Jedidah Hefervez Korinihona who is a Filipino-Solomon Islander beauty queen and model and is currently one of the Top 30 among 100 candidates in the ongoing 2021 Miss Universe Philippines beauty pageant.
Ms Jedidah credited her physical attributes stating that it really stood out among the rest resulting in her being placed among the Top 30 Finalists.
“Now that I got in the Top 30, I believe my physical attributes really stood out among the rest. The Philippines has always been a land of diversity, even before the Spanish and American colonization happened. And I’m already have embodied that,” Ms Jedidah expressed.
According to her, the decision to compete in the Philippines beauty pageant started one day, sitting at the corner at their house watching a live pageant show.
“I asked myself “When will we have a Philippine representative with textured hair?” then a thought came into me “Be the first one” and now that I am here, my heart is full of joy and excitement to see what lies before me,” Ms Jedidah revealed.
She said coming to the beauty pageant, the only obstacle and competitor she has to face every day is herself.
“I know, that coming to this pageant, there will be consequences that I’ll face and prices to pay to comply with the requirements and training I need to go through to be pageant ready. Every day is a test of how committed I am to win this and I choose to overcome my limitations by choosing to be better,” the young model and beauty pageant expressed.
She further added with regards to criticism she encountered competing in the pageantry and how she handles it, she said as a beauty queen, she has already decided to put herself on a pedestal to be judged and it’s normal.
“But as someone who has overcome a lot to be confident of her own skin and body, I won’t allow any public opinion to break what I’ve worked so hard for.
“I choose to stay humble and allow myself to enjoy that growth I have attained in this journey,” Ms Jedidah shared.
Meanwhile, Ms Jedidah recalled a time when she visited the Solomon Islands when she was a kid. What she remembered most, according to her account, was how beautiful the women are and also how there were words of a gymnasium that is made just for women.
She said that that was astonishing to hear because everyone deserves to feel secured and comfortable in their own space, but she stated that sadly, the majority who does not attain this, are women.
“So it’s empowering to know that someone saw the need to create a space for them and have done it.
“And that’s my message for women, do not be afraid to take up space. When you see the problem and nobody does, that’s because you are the solution for it. Be the change that you and the next generation wants to see,” Jedidah Hefervez Korinihona expressed when asked what is her message for local women in the Solomon Islands who might wish to participate in future National Beauty Pageant competition.
From the 100 candidates in the Miss Universe Philippines beauty pageant, the list is now down to the final 30 candidates of which Ms Jedidah is part of.
They will qualify for the pageant’s in-person coronation at the coronation night on September 25, 2021.
