Miss Universe bets inspired by emotional dialogue with cleft patients

Several Miss Universe candidates became emotional after hearing the struggles that former cleft patients have overcome.

The beauty queens sat down with Smile Train patients for an intimate dialogue at Conrad Hotel in Pasay City on Friday. Smile Train is an international children's charity which specializes in cleft lip and palate.

Nine Miss Universe candidates met with the Smile Train patients, who have already undergone cleft surgery. Another group of Miss Universe candidates also visited patients at one of Smile Train's partner hospital, Our Lady of Peace Hospital in Parañaque.

The patients recalled their experiences with bullying and discrimination for their condition, their speech, and physical appearances.

"Sabi nila 'look at her, iba ang lips niya.' Nakakatawa daw ako, iba daw ang itsura ko," a teary-eyed patient said.

The stories resonated with many of the Miss Universe candidates, who also went through countless harsh words and tears throughout their lives and their journey to become a beauty queen.

Miss Myanmar Htet Htet Htun was moved to tears as she shared how she was looked down on for wanting to join pageants, and how she received no support at all, emotionally or financially.

Miss US Virgin Islands Carolyn Carter and Miss Tanzania Jihan Dimack also told stories of how they were bullied because of their race.

But despite the hardships they faced, the candidates reminded the cleft patients that they are still standing strong.

"It doesn't matter what the opinions of other people are. We can do whatever we want to do," said Miss Mexico Kristal Silva, who experienced a lot of pressure to be perfect.

Miss Haiti Raquel Pelissier whose country was ravaged by a deadly earthquake in 2010, said that the tragedy gave her a new perspective.

"It made me see that life is really fragile. What matters is you live your life the way you want to. You need to stand for what you want in life and thats why I'm here," she said.

In an interview after the event, the patients told reporters that they were surprised at how much baggage the Miss Universe candidates were carrying.

"Hindi ko akalain na may ganoon silng dinadala," said 19 year old Cherry Gloriantes.

"Pinangarap ko ang maging tulad niya na walang problema, yun pala may problema din siya katulad ko," she added.

Catch the 65th Miss Universe competition live at GMA Network on January 30, 8 a.m. —JST, GMA News