There is no doubt that for Filipinos - perhaps the best beauty pageant fans in the world - the victories of Kevin Balot at Miss International Queen and June Macasaet at Manhunt International are sources of pride and good enough reasons to party. But these victories may mean something else and all it depends how one sees things.

Definitely, without argument, there are four major beauty pageants in the world - Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss International and Miss Earth. Any other pageant for any gender is considered as minor, some even outliers. But the treatment that Kevin and June received is something that many other countries would not readily extend to their own victorious countrymen. 

What is going on exactly? Way back in the Miss Universe drought years of 2000-2009, Filipinos would make a big deal on their victories at minor pageants. Clearly, it was a way to console the heartbreak of the Filipinos. When one can't shine on major pageants, winning obscure and minor ones give some relief. Is this the situation nowadays?

Well, Philippines broke their drought at Miss Universe in 2010. In 2011, Philippines is at the Top 5 of Miss Universe, is first runner-up at Miss World, a semifinalist at Miss International and at Top 4 of Miss Earth. If the welcoming treatment extended to Kevin and June were simply a way to console themselves, that wouldn't really add up with the reality. Perhaps, Filipinos just loves pageant in any form or size. Or perhaps Filipinos are just naturally ecstatic to anything that makes them excel in the international field.

Whatever the real reason why these victories continued to receive good attention among Filipinos and were highlighted in the Philippine national TV, the current mood in the Philippines is full of optimism. This year they landed at the semis of Miss World and Miss International. Many are optimistic about Miss Universe but some could see the reality that there are strong opposition out there.

Already some Filipinos see others spoiling their party. Missosology received numerous complaints that others downplay June Macasaet's victory by publishing an "exclusive" story that the victory of the Philippines was hair thin. But these are things not really worth giving attention. Filipinos should concentrate in their victories and continue to build its momentum and confidence so victories at Big4 will soon be materialized.

Missosology is the official web based magazine covering the Manhunt International 2012 pageant. Special coverage can be found at http://missosology.org/manhuntinternational