‘It’s not all about beauty and poise, kailangan may purpose ka’ – Miss Balbalan 2025 on joining beauty pageants

Balbalan, Kalinga – Beauty pageants is not just simply about beauty, poise, and wit, but it is also about purpose, this is the take of newly-crowned Miss Balbalan Shira Mae Alit Acosta who emphasized the importance of using platforms to empower others.

Shira of Barangay Ab-abaan was crowned the Miss Balbalan 2025 on March 20, after besting 12 other beauties who equally gave their best to take home the much-coveted title in the municipality.

Speaking with GURU Press Cordillera, the 19-year-old beauty queen shared it was her second time joining the Search for Miss Balbalan and that she originally intended to just watch the coronation night this year. However, their barangay officials contacted her, asking if she’s interested to represent their barangay again.

Wanting to get the crown for the iAb-abaans and pursue her advocacy on youth empowerment through ‘holistic approach and education’, Shira, who is currently a first year BS Psychology student in Baguio City, agreed to join the pageant.

“I think since I was young parang passion ko na talaga na magrampa-rampa, but when I grew up and got matured, I realized na it’s not all about beauty and poise lang talaga, you need to have a purpose which for me is to pursue my advocacy,” she underscored.

The newly-crowned Miss Balbalan stressed that empowering youth does not only depend on one aspect, but rather it covers multiple factors such as their intellectual, psychological, spiritual, and physical being. She added that inspiring the youth to pursue their education is a must as this will pave way to their brighter future and brighter community.

“As maturity hits me, na-realize ko po na mahalaga ang education to transform lives. Education has the power to transform the lives of the young people and I want to advocate for it po na parang makatulong na mang-inspire sa kanila nap ag-igihan ang pag-aaral,” she expressed.

Now that she brought home the Miss Balbalan 2025 title, Shira intends to coordinate with Barangay LGU and the Municipal LGU to pursue her advocacies or ‘purpose’.