Former beauty queen recalls glory days

Former beauty queen recalls glory days

Published on Thursday, 12 September 2013 02:01

A photo of Ms Nu Nu Yi, a former Miss Burma

Following in the footsteps of Nan Khin Zay Yar, Khin Wint Wah has recently returned from participating in the Miss Supranational beauty pageant in Belarus, where she was crowned Miss Internet, the same award her predecessor received at the Miss International beauty pageant last year.

Although Myanmar was isolated from the world for several decades until recently, there was a time when Myanmar maidens stood proudly onstage as winners of "Miss Burma".

The Daily Eleven has interviewed Nu Nu Yi, a former Miss Burma, who shared her experiences participating in the most prestigious beauty contest in the country.

Born in Yangon in 1936, Nu Nu Yi received her education in Minbu, Magway, and Bhamo. When she was 16 she was named first runner-up in the Miss Bhamo beauty pageant, which turned out to be a stepping-stone to the Miss Burma crown.

The former beauty queen said she began doing high jump when she was eleven, long before she became a contestant in beauty pageants.

"When I was young, I didn't do any special athletic training. When I was living in Bhamo, my father woke me up at four in the morning and made me run. If I didn't want to run, he made me do high jump. So, naturally, I became athletic," said Nu Nu Yi.

While attending Rangoon University [Yangon University], she received the Miss Rangoon University award in 1953 and Miss Neptune's Daughter award in 1954.

"After I received the Miss Rangoon University award, I served as a secretary for the University Women Sports and Fitness Association and became chairperson a year later. This experience taught me interpersonal skills and how to speak in front of people. This was very valuable for me to become a Miss Burma," she said.

After receiving the Miss Kaytumadi prize in 1955, she competed for the Miss Bago Division [Bago Region] award, which allowed her to enter the Miss Pyidaungsu beauty pageant in the same year.

"What I remember about the Miss Pyidaungsu beauty competition is that during the swimsuit competition, my swimsuit was a little loose in the back so other contestants complained that I won the competition because of this. So, I had to go to the tailor and mend the swimsuit. I received the Miss Pyidaungsu award. On the night of the pageant, it was announced that the winner, first runner-up, and second runner-up would be allowed to participate in the Miss Burma beauty pageant."

After being crowned Miss Burma, she continued attending Rangoon University while also attending the Rangoon Institute of Education [Yangon Institute of Education].

Among former Miss Burma winners, only Than Than Aye, Myint Myint May, Myint Myint Khin, Ma Sein Aye and Minnie Pu have participated in international beauty pageants.

Miss Burma beauty pageants were held from 1948 until 1962, when General Ne Win's regime took over the country.

The former beauty queen advises future contestants representing Myanmar at international beauty pageants to make preparations in all areas.

"The main thing they need is to be prepared in terms of physical fitness as well as general knowledge, communication skills, and the ability to speak bravely in front of people. There won't be many difficulties if they have made the necessary preparations."

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2013/09/12/former-beauty-queen-recalls-glory-days/