Declamation Piece

1. The Beauty Queen
“Mom! I have such greatnews!”
“What is it Kheun? Is it about the touryou were raving since lastweek?”
“Uhuh!And so much more!”
“Okay…tell me aboutit!”
“Well our school principal said that it won’t be a tour alone…it’s a five-day camp with lotsof
activities, meet and greet, anda pageant!”
“Well that really soundsinteresting.What is this about again?”
“Mom it’s the ASEAN Week. We have delegationscoming in from different countries like
Korea, Vietnam, Thailand…members of the ASEAN.”
“Well it is a good time to make friends and get to know their culture. It would be a very
good experience for you my dear.”
“Hah! It’s more of get to have the opportunity to show them that I am a star. I will rule over
all of them with my fluent English-speaking skills, my very charming self, and I’m sure to
bring home the crown! Watch me!”
I can hear people cheering my name and clapping as I strutmy way on stage. “Go Kheun! Go
Kheun! Go sexy, sexy, Kheun! Wohooo!” Wave. Wave. Keep smiling, smize, and pose! Perfect!
I am so confident I will win the pageant.Pageantis life!
What shouldI do for my talent?I sure have plenty of talent.Hmmm. I can dance (do some
hip-hop moves)…. Or maybe I can sing (sing a song).I am surethey will all be blownaway.
“Hey Kheun, are you ready for the camp tomorrow?”
“Oh Ninna my dear best friend. Yes! I have packed everything that I will be needing.”
“Great! I am so excited to meet new people andmake lots of friends. Are you?”
“I am excited to beat them during the pageantand show them I speak really good English.”
“Uhm. Sure, if that’show you think it is but I guessyou shouldenjoy and try notto thinktoo
much about the pageant.”
“Whatever. See you Nins!”

2. And so the day of the days arrived.
“Kheun my dear, remember to have fun and learnfrom our neighbornations.”
“Mom I surely can read books aboutthem right?What’s importantis I win andI shine.
Toodles! Love you!”
My mom is always worried aboutme. I am a fighter. I can do this.
And so the camp began.There were hundredsof delegates coming in from different
countries.
“Anyong Haseyo. My name is Min Jun.I come from Korea. What is your name?”
“Kheun from Philippines!”
Oh em geee! He is so handsome.He is like my idol in BTS! My heart was fluttering so much I
could hardlybreathe. He was standing rightin front of me talking aboutsomething which I
can barely understand.Oh his English…I cannot understandhisEnglish! But he is cute andI
startedfeeling sweaty and clammy and – ppffffttt. Oh goodnessI farted! Did he hear it? Did
he smell it? I froze.
“Are you okay?”
“Uhm, I have to go! See you!”
I hurriedback to our room andlooked for Ninna. It was so embarrassingI did not want to go
out at all.
“What’s wrongKheun?”
“I was talking to this cute guy a while ago when my stomachstartedhurtingand you know I
farted… It was really bad.”
“Ha ha ha. You are so funny Kheun. It’s okay. Accidents happen.”
“True. Moving on now. Anyway, I just realized they speak really funny, don’tthey? They have
this weird accent where the don’t pronounceRs very well. Did you notice? Ha ha ha.”
“Yeah. Well, I try to understandthatmaybe they’re havinga hardtime because of their
language.”

3. “Well it just goes to show that we, Filipinos, are quite superior when it comes to speaking
English thanthem.”
“Oh Kheun don’t be so mean. We are here to actuallybridge the gaps and be friends with
everyone.”
“Whatever Ninna. You’realways so serious. You’reno fun.”
“I’m just saying Kheun. You don’t have to look down on anybody. I mean we allhave our
flaws. We’re not perfect.”
Okay, whoa, stop rightthere best friend / guidance counselor.I know that. I’m notbeing
mean, just blunthonest. Some people really can’t chill.
The days went by like a breeze. I got to know people from other countries,enjoyed tasting
their food, watched their culturalpresentationsand yes – I mustadmit something in me
melted. My misconceptions about them – were totally wrong. I saw how vibrant of a people
they are. How they are alsostrongin their own ways. I laughedwith them, made
conversations,and enjoyed myself in the process.
Then pageant day! I was so excited. I knew I was going to nail it. Walk, walk, smile, smize,
and pose! Perfect!
“Ms. Philippines, your final question is – What is the most importantlesson you have learned
from this event?”
“Thank you for the questionsir. This event has taughtme how to be humbleand accepting. I
learned thatno race is superior thanthe other. All of usare strongaslong as we know our
rootsand we accept othersas they are. In diversity, there is unity. Thankyou!”
My heartwas beating like a drum as we were all waiting for the winner to be announced.
“And this year’s Ms. Asean is…. Kheun Blaire Caniel, Philippines!”
Yes! Win! Ha ha! But don’t you worry. I won for everyone. I now know better than be
judgmental.Toodles.