If Bb. Pilipinas International 2009 Melody Gersbach were a doll, you wouldn’t find her on the Barbie shelves. Or in the Bratz’ section .
She’d DEFINITELY be in the classic Baby Doll collection with her big baby doll eyes, pink baby doll cheeks and… basta, baby doll siya ALL OVER!
Unfortunately, I didn’t see that at first. Melody wasn’t in my Top Picks for Bb Pilipinas 2009 and now I know why – I was forced to make my selections via online photos and didn’t have the chance to see her in person.
She is buckets prettier face-to-face!!!
Although our Miss International representative this year has a German last name and heritage, Melody Gersbach is a PINAY through and through. She grew up in Bicol studying at St. Agnes Academy then moved to Manila to study Management in University of Asia and the Pacific. She speaks three languages – English, Geman and Pilipino – and understands Bicolano and a little Kapampangan.
Melody Gersbach’s plan in life WAS to become a businesswoman and to take over the family business. The Gersbachs own a resataurant called Gasthof (the German word for ‘inn’) and she was preparing to take over management duties once she had gotten out of college. They have a branch in A.Venue on Makati Avenue; and in the cities of Naga and Legaspi in Bicol.
But then her favorite Aunt, Maridel Gonzalez insisted that Melody was meant to become a beauty queen FIRST! Melody admits that her dear Aunt was a frustrated beauty contestant and never had the chance to join a beauty pageant.
But it didn’t take too much urging to get Melody to cooperate. Before she knew it, she was handing in her Bb. Pilipinas application form. And winning one of the major titles – Bb. Pilipinas International 2009!!!
Bb Pilipinas International 2009 Melody Gersbach takes last minute Mandarin lessons from Photog Melvin Sia in preparation for her trip to China
But not all stories have happy endings. Little did she know that she would lose her favorite Auntie, the driving force behind her success, 3 weeks after being crowned one of the Philippines’ top beauties. On April 1, 2009, the day of Melody’s homecoming in Bicol, Tita Maridel was fatally shot 7 times in a violent shooting incident. Police are looking at a love triangle and a business dispute as possible angles.
Although Melody was devastated, she vowed to continue living her Auntie’s dream.Preview As she leaves for China today, Nov. 12, 2009, to represent the Philippines in the Miss International, she dedicates it all to her Tita Maridel.
Auf Weidersehen Melody Gersbach! I’m sure Tita Maridel is cheering for you in heaven as you compete in the Miss International 2009 pageant on November 28 in Chengdu, Sichuan, China. Your story ISN’T over yet; I’m banking on a Happy Ending!
by Joyce Burton Titular, the blogging beauty queen…
No comments:
Post a Comment