‘Tiis-Ganda” journey of Joy Demura

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

An Aklanon beauty was featured in the award-winning documentary news and public affairs program ‘I-Witness”.

The lives, challenges of aspiring beauty queens and Joy Demura’s journey, from the farm to the “Universe” titled “Tiis-Ganda” was shown in “I-Witness” on July 25 at GMA TV. It was hosted by Sandra Aguinaldo.

The 18-year old Joy of Buenavista, Nabas, Aklan begun its quest to carve out a full-time career in the modeling industry and beauty pageants after he was discovered by celebrity makeup artist Joseph ‘Jhong’ Sudlon on May 15. She was spotted selling T-shirts in a souvenir shop in Boracay Talipapa in Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan to help her family make ends meet.

“June 18 pinaluwas ko sa Maynila si Joy, tapos sinasama sama ko sa mga big events dito. Dati, pag nakapag tanim na siya ng pakwan at kalabasa sa Nabas, sa Boracay naman siya nagtitinda ng T-shirts sa Talipapa,” said Sudlon, a native of Ibajay, Aklan.

“Nung kumain kami sa Talipapa, then nung bumili kami ng T-shirts siya ang nag-titinda, nakita ko may mukha kaya kinausap ko.”

Sudlon said he spends his own money to provide Joy the board and lodging while training in the beauty boot camp.

Joy, who stands five feet and nine and a half inches, is a high school graduate of Western Aklan Academy (WAA) in Nabas, Aklan.  At the moment, though she never joined a pageant before, Joy is determined and taking her preparations in one of the biggest training camps - Kagandahang Flores.

Wearing two-piece bikinis and in six-inch heels, Joy and other aspiring beauty queens  were taught to perfect their beauty queen struts  by their mentors in the secluded boot camp in Quezon City.

The boot camp for beauties produced Miss International 2013 Bea Rose Santiago, Miss Earth 2008 Karla Henry, Miss Earth 2014 Jamie Herrell, Miss International 2005 Precious Lara Quigaman, Miss Heritage Odessa Mae Tadaya, Miss ASEAN first runner-up Ferina Carpio, Miss Intercontinental second runner-up Kris Tiffany Hanson and Miss Tourism International second runner-up Glennifer Perido.

In the documentary program, Aguinaldo said “Joy’s journey to the crown will not be easy as she struggles with performing even the most basic exercises. Often, her face grimaces in pain but is quickly replaced by a determined expression."

"Likely she is reminded of her family back home, ridden in poverty and all rooting for her to succeed and make life better for all of them.”

“May anim na kapatid si Joy sa kasalukuyan asawa ng kaniyang ina. Siya at ang kanyang kuya, anak ng ina sa unang asawa. Dahil sa hirap ng buhay, banat ang katawan ni Joy sa trabaho. Kaya ganoon na lang ang determinasyon niyang makabangon. Sabi ni Joy, gusto raw niyang makatulong sa kanyang pamilya kaya ganoon na lang pagpupursige niya na malampasan ang training. Mula sa bukirin, handa na raw suungin ni Joy ang makinang na mundo ng mga beauty pageant,” tweets I-Witness.