22/09/2026
FEATURE| ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ณ๐ถ๐ป๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐น๐ผ๐พ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ
By Jill Marie Dimalaluan
โWhy should something I cannot change stop me from becoming everything I can be?โ
For Maxinne Galiyette Tagyamon, as she prepares to represent the Bachelor of Science in Public Administration (BPA) in the Search for Mr. & Miss Business Education Department 2026, living with a speech condition was never a reason to shrink into the background; it was the foundation of an unshakable mindset.
Her pageant journey did not begin with a pageant form, nor did it start under the glare of spotlight beams. It began in quieter, ordinary placesโin classroom aisles, during everyday recitations, and in those brief, unspoken moments when most people learn to measure their words. Living with a speech condition meant growing up in a world that often conflates fluency with capability. Yet long before she ever considered wearing a candidate sash, she made a silent promise to herself that she would never let an unchangeable circumstance shrink the dimensions of her life.
Her journey carries a truth that extends far beyond the hall: true eloquence isn't about speaking without pause, but about having the heart to stand up and be heard.
When the Search for Mr. & Miss Business Education Department 2026 called for candidates, the familiar tug of self-doubt was present. Public speaking is daunting for anyone, but stepping onto a stage explicitly designed to judge presence and vocal articulation felt like walking straight into the fire. Still, Maxinne submitted her nameโnot to prove something to critics, but to claim space for anyone who has ever felt forced into the shadows.
โTo be honest, I felt self-doubt,โ she admits. โItโs normal to feel nervous standing before everyone. But I reminded myself that courage is not about being afraidโitโs about moving forward even when you are terrified to do so.โ
Her preparation was never just about walks and poses; it became an exercise in radical self-acceptance. In a culture that continually pressures people to fit a certain mold, Maxinne realized that true connection is found in sincerity rather than rehearsed perfection.
โMy worth is not measured by how perfectly I speak. My voice matters, and what I have to say is worth being heard.โ For her, genuine eloquence is grounded in honesty, kindness, and respectโthe virtues that carry far more weight than flawless delivery.
As pageant night approaches, Maxinneโs journey stands as a living testament to the idea that limits are rarely real; they are merely boundaries we accept. When she steps into the spotlight, she will carry more than just the pride of her program and organizationโshe will carry a message for every student watching from the dark who has ever felt held back by their own struggles.
โYour challenges do not disqualify you,โ she says. โThey make your victory even more beautiful. Nothing about you, no struggle, no condition, no difficultyโcan ever limit what you are capable of achieving except your own belief that you can.โ
When the lights come up and her name is called, Maxinne will walk forward authentically, reminding an entire campus that you do not need to be perfect to be extraordinary.
(Photo Courtesy of SAC Business Education Department and Maxinne Galiyette Tagyamon)
