THE SAYING THAT beauty is only skin deep is evident in beauty pageantries. But one stands as an exception in Malaysia as it calls attention to the self-empowerment of young women instead of relying solely on how they look and speak. Each year, towards the end of August, a group of 25 to 30 ladies are transported to the Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS) in Penang for their community and environment boot camp.
It is a no ramp, no glam programme for the national semi-finalists of the annual Miss MalaysiaIndian Global pageant. Here, they undergo a rigid routine from 6am until 10pm. The drill includes hands-on activities and lectures culminating in a series of tests and challenges that help determine if they are shortlisted as the finalists.
Herein lies the uniqueness of this personal empowerment pageant, which began in 2000. Its primary concern is to stir and stoke the minds of its participants, exposing them to as many valuable experiences as possible in their journey towards self-discovery and personal growth.
