Nizelynn Masayos, an upcoming senior at Kagman High School ,describes how she became interested in participating.
“My Aunty Francella visited in March and told me about her experience being a Liberation Day royal princess in 1993,” she says.”They used to have costume competitions as part of it. It was pretty much like a beauty pageant.”
In regards to her own experience, Masayos joyfully tells Variety that, “So far it has been fun. Sometimes when I use my sash around Saipan the tourists call me ‘Ms. CNMI Universe’ and they want to take pictures all the time.”
In a message to all the girls of the island she says, “I recommend for girls to join and challenge themselves. It’s good to do something like this during the summer rather than just sitting around.”
Soon to be a sophomore at Saipan Southern High School, Joni Castro explains her reasons for joining.
“I was looking at the former candidates and I felt that I wanted to be someone like that,” she says.
Having been 2004’s Little Miss CNMI’s winner for Best Sportswear, Castro has had some prior experience in running.
“This experience has been great. There’s been a lot of fundraising which is challenging now during the economic crisis, but it’s been good,” she adds.
She encourages other girls to join because “it is a great challenge for them and they will be able to really help out with the community and the mayor’s office.”
Mariah Ada, who will be a senior at Saipan Southern High School, describes how she “wanted to try it out for the experience.”
“So far I’ve been able to meet and help a lot of people.”
She encourages other girls to join: “It’s good for them to try it out. There’s usually not a lot of people running, maybe because they are ashamed, but it’s not about popularity, it’s about getting to know the people around you and celebrating Liberation Day.”
The reigning Miss Liberation Day Queen, Josifynn “Peachy” Quitigua Rasa, comments on her year of having the crown.
“It’s been great! It’s taught me to not be ashamed,” she says in regards to asking the community for help.
“It’s been a fun experience. I was able to do an exchange program for one week in Japan,” she adds.
When asked what she would say to the upcoming queen she replies, “You’re going to be really busy but make sure you enjoy it.”
Vinycia Seman, Liberation Queen committee chairwoman, remarks, “Whoever sells the most tickets wins, but it’s about more than that; they get to have the title, they will be involved in the mayor’s official functions, and they also get to travel to Japan and Guam. It’s a great opportunity. It lets the girls get positive exposure through the media and community events.”
This year, the Queen’s gown for the Liberation Day Parade will be sponsored by Watabe Wedding, located at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.
