Bomb threat got Miss S'pore worried

Bomb threat got Miss S'pore worried

As her big day approached, she wondered whether it was safe to carry on.

"It was the first time I had ever felt threatened to such an extent," said Miss Singapore, Maria-Anna Zenieris, of the days leading up to the Miss World 2013 finals at Nusa Dua in southern Bali last Saturday.

Amid bomb threats and protests against the beauty pageant being held in Indonesia, delegates from all over the world travelled to the Muslim-majority country.

The beauty queens from 127 countries were heavily guarded. Each girl was escorted by a chaperone to the toilet, meals and even to the gym at the hotel, said Miss Zenieris, 18.

Heavily-armed police with water cannons guarded the pageant venue.

This year's controversial edition was initially set to be held in Jakarta, but was later moved to Hindu- dominated Bali.

Miss Zenieris, who returned to Singapore on Sunday, said: "We came across an article online about the bombing rumours and how the protestors were planning to make their way (from Jakarta) to Bali. It got to a point where we weren't sure whether it was safe to be present at the finals."

Hardline group Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) had issued threats to the organisers, branding the pageant as "pornography" and a "whore contest".

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The East Java province branch head of the FPI, Mr Haidar Al-Hamid, claimed the group planned to travel to Bali to disrupt the contest.

Miss Zenieris' mum, Mrs Yvonne Zenieris, who joined her in Bali on Sept 21, feared for her.

The 55-year-old housewife said: "As a mother, you would worry if there's a chance that your daughter could be in danger.

"I did ask her if she wanted to pull out, but she was very strong-minded about remaining in the competition because at the end of the day, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to represent your country on the world stage."

Miss Zenieris, who was in Bali for almost a month before the finals, recalled: "I think it was more of a moment of panic, where all the girls were passing around articles about bomb threats and we had no idea whether there was any truth to the allegations because we were so sheltered by security that we had no idea what was going on."

But her fear was soothed when Miss Philippines Megan Young, who was crowned the winner, swooped in and consoled her.

"Without family there to confide in, the girls became family and Megan and I talked about it quite a lot. We said, 'If you do it (go through with the contest), I'll do it'."

All it took was a simple line for Miss Zenieris to feel safe again.

"She (Megan) was hugging me when she said something that my mother would say, which is 'Don't worry, if the security hasn't alerted us or isn't alarmed about anything, it's gonna be fine. Just be safe and brave'."

Mrs Zenieris is grateful for the comfort her daughter received from Miss Young.

"Maria was there for Megan as Megan was there for her, and in the end, that's what friendships are about," she said.

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Girls bond over Miss World experience

"Ate Megs" is what Miss Megan Young is to Miss Maria-Anna Zenieris.

Ate (pronounced Ah-teh) is a respectful Tagalog term of endearment used to refer to older sisters.

On how their sisterhood blossomed, the United World College graduate said: "During one of our conversations on one of the many long bus rides, she told me she missed her two siblings.

"At one point, I asked her what they called her and she told me 'Ate Megs', and it stuck."

Miss Young, 23, is the oldest child in her family and acts as a guardian to her younger brother and sister in the Philippines because her parents live in the US.

She also ended up taking on the big sister role to Miss Zenieris during their Miss World experience.

"During our first few conversations... we immediately clicked, as if we'd known each other for a long time, and I just knew that I could really get along with her," said Miss Zenieris, who is of Greek and Chinese descent.

"She advised me to have fun and represent my country with pride because when we're there, they don't call us by our name, they call us by our country."

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But Miss Zenieris stressed that it was a two-way street when it came to providing encouragement and support.

She said: "When it comes to (media) interviews, I'm quite confident with that, but not so much for her.

"There were times when she'd be upset over an interview that she thought didn't go well, and I'd tell her that it's okay and that there will be another one.

"A lot of people were behind her and she didn't want to disappoint them. I'd tell her that no matter what, her country would be proud of her, and I'd remind her to be positive."

Even though her friend eventually nabbed the Miss World 2013 title, Miss Zenieris isn't envious.

"Oh my goodness, she deserves it. When I first saw her, I knew that she was one of the toughest competitors... (but) there were no competitive vibes at all."

The fact that Miss Zenieris and Miss Young weren't roommates did not stop their friendship from developing.

"We had planned to go to Boracay together at the end of the year... but now that she's got responsibilities that come with the title, I told her we'd put our trip on hold for another year."

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That, however, isn't going to stop the gal pals from seeing each other.

"Before going to either University of Melbourne or University of British Columbia in Canada next year, I'm planning a trip to London. Megan might be there as the Miss World office is there."

She added: "I found lifelong friends... Miss Taiwan (Miss Zenieris' roommate during the competition) is coming to Singapore next month.

"Miss China and Miss Hong Kong might also come.

"They're all going to be staying with me if they do."

crobert@sph.com.sg


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