Miss Malaysia/World
Well, finished the story about the Miss Malaysia/World 2002/2003 finalists day before yesterday (it was published in yesterday's paper). Boss was pleased with it. He messaged me on the internal messaging system: "Good job. And you can claim for the pics you took." Coz you see, usually we have a cameraman take photos, but our photo department services all the different editorial sections (news, sports, business, metro, which covers local area events, features, entertainment, education, Sunday features & entertainment pullout, and whatever else). So the photographers are always moving from assignment to assignment. They come and take the photos, then they're off – they never stay for the whole interview.
Since I was trailing the finalists around the whole week, I needed to be ready whenever a photo opportunity presented itself. The boss wanted candid shots, you see. "Try to get them when they're bushed or not looking glamorous," he said. "I don't want posed shots with them all smiling nicely and waving at the camera!" So I ended up taking my own pics with my 35mm fixed focus point-and-shoot camera. Not bad, eh? *grin*
I have to admit I was naughty the other day. Once they went to a shopping mall for a publicity appearance with a sponsor. They were taken on a tour round Carrefour MidValley and stopped to pose at the cold drinks section, in front of all the sponsor's products (stuff like fruit juices and milk). When they moved on, a security guard went like, "Excuse me," trying to get me to go away. I literally stuck my press tag in his face and snapped, "Press!" before marching on! tee hee hee! I felt such immense satisfaction doing that. Wicked of me, I know :)
Then, at another sponsor, I purposely went to the salespeople to ask questions about their product – a watch brand, which the finalists were promoting. So they gave me a press kit and door gift. Heheheh. Not like I was gonna do a write-up on them! Oh yeah, I'm getting very naughty *wicked grin*
Was quite impressed with the finalists. They weren't bitchy or stuck-up, like I thought they might be. Of course when I said this to a friend, she retorted, "You're from the press! Of course they'd be nice to you!" But I found one girl in particular very outgoing and unaffected. I'm so happy for her – she emerged first runner-up. I think she really deserved it.
Another girl, at 24 (my age!) already owns two businesses! She's Malaysia's northern region distributor for a range of skincare and body care products from France, which she supplies to salons. She's also Malaysia’s northern region franchisee for a brand of drinks from Taiwan, and together with her brother, she's opened three food and beverage outlets in Penang, selling this drink. For extra income, she's a part-time model. Phew! She emerged the new Miss Malaysia/World. Not surprising, I guess!
And they don't eat like birds either. They were booked into Renaissance Hotel for the duration of the week leading up to the pageant, and had hotel buffet every day... I certainly didn't see any evidence of dieting or strange eating habits!