Her Greatest Comeback (Heavenly Harmonies Series #1)

Chapter 14

After introducing the contestants of the last batch, we are announced to get ready for the Q and A. Nakita ko si Paula na tumitingin-tingin sa akin at agad ring umiiwas kapag nakatitig ako.

Ano kayang problema nitong babaeng 'to?

I just shrugged it off. I focused myself for the next round. Pagkalabas namin dito, saka sasabihin ng emcee kung ano ang ibig sabihin o ipahiwatig ng aming mga suot. May kanya-kanya kasing advocacy at pagkatapos ay ang Q and A naman.

Tinawag na ang pangalan ni Paula at lumabas na siya. Ako na ang susunod sa kanya kaya inihanda ko na ang sarili ko.

"Ada, kanina pa tumutunog iyang cellphone mo," saad ni Wyntria sa gilid ko.

Hanggang ngayon ayoko munang pansinin iyon dahil tiyak madi-distract ako. Gosh! I don't want to loose!

"Hayaan mo lang," tanging wika ko sa kanya.

Tumango lamang siya ngunit nakakunot ang noo niya. Siguro ay nagtataka na rin.

"Si Felix siguro 'no?" dagdag pa niya na nakapagpairita sa akin.

Hindi na ako sumagot at pinakinggan ko ang tanong. Random daw ang mga iyon at ikaw mismo ang bubunot o pipili.

"Ms. Santiago ito ang tanong mo..."

Tahimik ang mga audience at binibigyang-laya ang contestant na talagang makapag-isip ng isasagot.

"If you'll win the crown, what will you do to help the bad effects of global warming?"

Narinig ko ang paghinga nang malalim ni Paula bago sumagot.

"Global warming has been known to be a great problem in the world today. If I'll be the winner, I'll use my title to inspire others and raise awareness on the different problems regarding global warming. I will give voice  for the unspoken words of our nature. That's all. Thank you," she confidently said before flashing a bright smile on the audience.

Pumalakpak ang tao sa kanya at ang iba ay isinigaw ang pangalan niya. Mukhang masasagot ko naman ang tanong ngunit hindi ko maiwasang kabahan dahil baka kung ano lang ang sabihin ko doon sa harap.

I can do it!

"Thank you, Ms. Santiago for that wonderful answer."

Tinawag ako ng organizer at agad king lumapit doon sa bungad papunta sa harap ng stage.

"Go, Ada! Kaya mo 'yan!" sabi ni Wyntria bago ko narinig ang pagtawag sa akin.

"Now, may I call on Ms. Montejo to showcase her eco-friendly dress."

Pumailanlang ang isang background music at iyon ang hudyat para malakad ako sa stage. I started to sway my hips as the emcee explained the details of my dress.

"This mermaid inspired gown wore by Andrada Germaine Montejo is truly an eco-friendly dress. The gown was made of sacks that were joined together. It was painted in sky blue to represent her advocacy in preserving the ocean waters. Also, it has the shells that are made of used folders embedded on the ruffles. Other materials such as plastic spoons, cups and newspapers were the essential things that made this fantastic gown to look pleasing."

I walked gracefully as the emcee ended the speech. Nang nakarating ako sa harap ay ngumiti ako bago ako bumunot ng tanong.

This is it.

"Okay, here's the question for you," sabi niya nang ibinigay ko ang nakarolyong papel kung saan naroon ang tanong.

"If you could take control over one problem ralated to the environment in our country, what will it be and why?"