Beauty Isn't Skin Deep

Miss United Nations USA 2012 speaks about winning the crown, her battle with psoriasis, her challenges and triumphs and unfailing faith in God.

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President Jeffrey R Holland (Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) said and I quote, “God is eagerly waiting for the chance to answer your prayers and fulfill your dreams, just as He always has." I have big dreams and I believe I can fulfill each one of them with dedication, perseverance and in patience, faith and prayers.

Skin Challenge

As I recall, I joined a school pageant as a child. I remember this pure, jovial feeling of being cheered by a crowd of excited and supportive parents, friends and relatives. I just enjoyed that. I was a child then. As a young adult, I didn’t really entertain the thought of joining the glamor world of beauty pageants. How could I? I have psoriasis. Psoriasis is a common skin condition that causes skin redness and irritation. Most people with psoriasis have thick, red skin with flaky, silver-white patches called scales.  When I was 16 years old, there was a huge storm in my country, Philippines, where our house was flooded and I helped my family get our belongings out of our house. The day after the storm, I got rashes in my arms and the following day it was all over my body. I thought it would go away because I always had skin asthma. Weeks and years passed, my outbreaks persisted. I remember the countless days and nights when I pleaded in prayer for the rashes to go away. Embarrassed and shy of my unflattering skin, I would frequently wear a jacket over my school uniform even in a hot and humid climate. You can just imagine how that would stir up awkward questions and confusion among my teenage peers. With continual silent prayers in my heart, I must say, I handled my peers’ curiosity well.

Family

with my family

my special sister

I grew up to a beautiful pair of loving and nurturing parents. I am sheltered with love and attention not only by my parents and my sibling but also by caring extended families. My uncles and aunts and cousins and grandparents were a bunch of wonderful people, always anxious to know the latest update in my life. Life was always fun with them. I really have great memories of everyone. My hometown in Cavite, Philippines, has some real warm spots for my sisters and me. I studied my elementary and high days there. It was so much nice to be in the circle of friends and families. Life was not always easy but we hurdle every challenge together in laughter. As I grew in the church, my discernment of right and wrong is particularly sharp for my age. I thank my parents for introducing the gospel early in my childhood. I love every minute of my life here on earth! My childhood days would have not been as happy as it was without my sisters. One of them has down syndrome, a special spirit who has blessed our lives. I just can’t thank Heavenly Father enough.

My Mom’s poem

I wouldn't have had known the pains and joys of having children until I became a mother myself.
   
I marveled at each girl's first step.
Her first word.
The first prayer uttered with much difficulty
And all the other 'firsts' that followed.
Who wouldn't remember the endless and silly questions asked out of nowhere
Or the countless times I was given and told, "Mommy, flowers for you".
Usually these colorful flowers were picked on the chapel's grounds and were given after Sunday meetings.
I can still picture each girl running to me with flowers in her hand, and I would melt with happiness.
And after returning each little girl's kiss I would look towards heaven and thanked God, imploring that these misses would remain the cute little imps forever.

with my mom and sisters

BUT SOON THEY GREW UP.
Then with each new day a revelation 
comes to me.
I am a mother, so close to God.
I am His instrument in many ways
(Like my own mother, Felicitas, was to me).
So I must develop
Patience,
Unconditional Love,
Virtue,
Hope,
Purity,
Faith, Strength, and above all else,
Love of God.
As I build my girls' characters
I, too, must build mine.
That someday when I face my Maker
I will truly account to Him His children
Who were once mine...
So deep in my heart I pray
That each girl will fondly remember
That once, on earth,
I was Maria Evelyn, their goodly mother...

 

Education

After finishing High School in the Philippines, I pursued a higher education in America. I always dreamt of pursuing a higher education in Utah, United States. I applied at LDS Business College, located in downtown Salt Lake in the state of Utah. At first, I didn’t pass the English test but I did it the second time I tried. I finished my Associate’s Degree at the college and was on the honor’s list. I then applied at BYU in Provo to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. I am now on my second year at the university.

College is demanding. I encountered many challenges but I have learned to balance church and school.  I believe that if I put Heavenly Father first, things will fall into place.

Talent Portion

I was flattered when one of the judges told me that she was in a lot of pageants but she never has given anyone a perfect score beside me! I am humbled by many facebook comments and compliments about my piano rendition. One of the photographers, Tita Jennifer, posted this picture with this description: “She started with the cute, “Chopstick” piece and then went off like Beethoven! Andrea’s rendition stole the crowd’s heart. What a talent!”
 

Talent portion

Playing the Piano

I was about 6 years old when my mom got me a second-hand but sturdy piano. A piano teacher would come three times a week to teach me at our house. My tiny little fingers were restless and good and I thought that playing the piano would not only de-stress my mother but also myself. As time went by, I realized that I have a talent! I played at home everyday and tried to play in church as well. I really thank my parents for their patience and effort to enroll me in piano schools even if these were far away from our place. While some teenage girls would hang out friends at the mall on a Saturday weekend, my sister and I religiously attended our music lessons.

tender moment with my sister, 
Guia who also designed my gown. 
I gave her all the credit 
for my Best in Gown award

I just loved playing the piano! I volunteered in programs during my high school days. I wouldn’t leave the house without sitting down on my piano chair first. My dad would buy me piano pieces and I diligently worked on them to master the pieces within a week, otherwise, I would not get new ones. I loved to play infront of an audience (just mostly family, relatives and friends) especially under my parents' generous bribes. Hmmm. It simply was marvelous and exhilarating at the same time. I joined in music competitions (in schools and in the community) one after the other, and I readily got hooked in them. Since playing the piano is really my passion, I thought I would like to share it with the audience during the pageant night. I thought of one good piece. I studied it. I practiced and practiced and perfected it. I want to share what I have. And so I did! I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for my wonderful talent. I am humbled.

Joining the Pageant

When I was approached to join Miss UN USA, I said yes without hesitation. I thought of it as an opportunity for me to explore my potentials. Preparing for the pageant wasn’t easy. I only had four months to prepare on top my hectic college life. I prayed for courage to fulfill my many dreams.

When the pageant came, I remember being so calm. One of the contestants, Jamie from Peru said she was nervous. I had this compelling feeling to pray with her. I didn’t know if she’s a Christian but we did pray together.  Prayers. I don’t how many times I said my prayers throughout the duration of the pageant.  I really wanted to win, basically not for the title itself, but for the opportunity to represent young girls struggling with self-esteem and skin ailment like mine.

I am deeply thankful for the opportunity to be the Miss United Nations 2012. We have many trials in life and I always believe that we shouldn’t walk out from our trials because at the end of every trial lies the blessing from heaven.” 

- Andrea Dayne Soleta

 Miss United Nations USA 2012