What makes a beauty queen? Teacher-parents

MANILA, Philippines – While growing up, Binibining Pilipinas-Universe 2013 Ariella Arida had to share her parents with hundreds, probably thousands, of children in Laguna.

It’s because both Arlesito and Estella Arida served as public school educators in Laguna for more than 40 years. Together, the couple raised not only Ariella and her sister, but also other sons and daughters who were not their own.

“We never expected to be the parents of a Binibining Pilipinas winner. Simple lang ang pamilya namin, makatapos lang ng pag-aaral ang aming mga anak ay tagumpay na para sa amin (We never expected to be the parents of a Binibining Pilipinas winner. Our family is simple, and for our children to be able to finish their studies is already an achievement for us.),” Mrs. Arida said.

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Ariella’s father, Arlesito, is a retired public school Sports Coordinator and teacher for 44 years. He was also District PE coordinator for 20 years

Meanwhile, her mother Estella is currently a public school principal in Alaminos, Laguna. She started teaching in 1972, and has been a principal since 2005.

The beauty queen, who will be competing as the country’s representative for the 2013 Miss Universe pageant in Moscow, Russia, must have taken after her award-winning mother. Estella was also hailed Outstanding Teacher in the District of Alaminos in 2003-2004, and an Alaminos Jaycees Outstanding Teacher in 2002-2003.

READ: Bb Pilipinas winners begin their journey

Both daughters of the Aridas are products of the public school system and graduates of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), a government-subsidized university.

On Tuesday, June 25, the Department of Education honored these two “inspiring” public school educators who serve as a testimony that education is truly a function of both the home and school.

“Parents like Arlesito and Estella, who take care of children both in school and in their home, are shining examples of what parents and teachers should be. The fact that they have raised accomplished children — products of our public schools, no less — while taking care of other children in their schools, deserves praise,” Education Secretary Br Armin Luistro said.

Despite Ariella’s looks that wowed the Filipino crowd last May during the 2013 Binibining Pilipinas pageant, her mother actually did not encourage her to do modeling activities and join beauty contests that may affect her studies.

“Our position was for her to study first before taking other endeavors…We always reminded them: ‘Magtapos muna bago mag-boyfriend o kung ano man.’ (Our position was for her to study first before taking other endeavors…We always reminded them: ‘Finish your studies first before you enter a relationship or whatever’),” she said. – Rappler.com