I knew he would win. Grabbing the title was one of the two things I was certain he would do (the other one is make me swoon). But the pageant night was not for his keeping. My friends told me he looked like a ghost one time, then literally ugly the next. His make-up was so garish I almost thought he was going to stage a theatrical act. And God forbid the barong which would make him complement a casket and make us all attend a burial. To speak plainly, he did not look good on stage. (At least for those who were about 10 meters away from the spectacle. Was it the lighting? Or the make-up?). Ironically, my eyes always see him as an impeccable creature. But even this failed. I almost agreed with my friends except probably for the belief that I was certain the judges would never base their scrutiny on what they see on the stage alone. They have to see something far more relevant—the simplicity that makes him who he is.
I think Alberto Lucas Belgera neither became the Ginoong Inhinyero 2011 because he sashayed across the stage, displaying his bare torso for everyone to see nor because he proved to us that men could wear that much make-up and actually be men. Aside from considering that there can be no other winner, Alberto Lucas won because of two things: First, he won because he was not meant to be on that stage.
Being a Ginoong Inhinyero is not a stage presentation. It is actually what is not on the display that matters. Our impression on whoever wins the title is not shaped by the way they walk or project. It is how we know them in their everyday life as an engineering student that we believe in them, or in any case, ascertain that they will actually win.
Alberto Lucas is that ginoo. I don’t know him personally but I would base my conclusion on what I observe from afar. He looked ugly with make-up because he is infinitely better-looking without it. He was diffident and ungraceful with extremely embellished costumes because he is not a celebrity who is comfortable with what others insist as fashion but an athlete who is content with a loose T-shirt and a pair of pants and pull the look that could make girls and pa-girls die with longing. (The bag pack is a perfect complement, by the way). He was unsure with choreographed movements because it was his nature to move unpredictably when he plays. I noticed that he doesn’t care what the hell happens to him as long as he could steal that ball or deliver that spike. Moreover, his was not the best projection on stage because he suppressed his wide grin—the very thing that made him a chick magnet. (Sorry to descend to cliché. Not that I am a chick. Ha ha). In fact, the rare shining moments he had were on occasions when he showed his true self by smiling at his ECE fans with that distinctive smile. (I swore I saw the Cheshire cat). It was probably on these instances where the judges were enlightened with their choice. Here is a man who presents himself with all the flamboyant effects, yet here is also a man who could epitomize the Ginoong Inhinyero without the same.
I repeat: He won the title because he lost the pageant. The judges, if ever they had the same notion, have had to be very observant. I guess they had seen beyond the costumes, glitters and spectacle. After the event, in an ordinary day, they saw the simple Alberto Lucas sharply contrasted to men with overdone hair, body-fit clothing, ubiquitous shades and condescending air. This is of course based on my own observations, and the truth might be otherwise. However, other people testify of the same and I can assure you there are a lot of them. This alone is proof of his charm.
Probably you could attribute it to the eyes but his expression is one of humility, something not hard to see in him. I just hope that this achievement would not take that away. After all, it was this expression of humility that was his ticket to becoming known. After his win, it is his job to prove and keep it.
This brings me to the second reason why he won: A lot of people believed in him. Sure, other departments cheered for their bet by bringing in streamers with their departments’ names. But it was only his ECE family who brought in streamers with his name blatantly spelled out. They did not just cheered for their department, they cheered for him. I have not seen any previous contestant who had this kind of support from their course mates. They seem to have this consensus among them and their concerted efforts showed in the results.
Gratzness, Alberto Lucas. I have always believed that competitions such as these are of no importance. Nada. The reason is because the title doesn’t impose any responsibility or if there is one, it is not so defined. Glory would not be worthwhile without the attached burden. Yet now it occurred to me that somehow this is a test of your character. You don’t have to save the world by being the G.I. or do anything for that matter except for one thing—improve for the better and stay humble. Do not even attempt to become a model student. Sure, COE students admire people but they are never constrained by emulating role models because they go beyond. The Ginoong Inhinyero was not meant to produce an ideal COE student. Originally, it was meant for the thrill of seeing good-looking boys on stage. But here you come letting people see that you could actually win by looking better without the stage. That of course is desirable, since the glamour of the stage is only fleeting. What matters is everything else.
I have bothered to write this all up for no reason at all. Or shall I say for a reason completely irrelevant to you. I do not mean that you live by other people’s expectations. That is just unfortunate. No other person knows what you ought to do except yourself. Nonetheless, all this stranger wants is for you to heed his unsolicited advice.
[01.29.11]
