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AYESHA GILANI - Miss Pakistan Earth 2009
By David Natanawan for Critical Beauty
Please tell us something about yourself, your full name, age, height, vital stats, where you came from, educational
information, your interests and hobbies and other important facts about yourself.
Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to meet the fans and followers of the prestigious Miss Earth pageant.
I am humbled. My name is Ayesha Gilani, 26 years of age. Standing five feet and seven inches tall and 105 pounds,
I was born in Lahore, Pakistan. With 700 years of family history in Lahore, I am proud to hail from the capital city
of the Mughal empire, which also served as the capital of four other empires. Currently, I am in Washington, DC, USA,
studying English Studies and Business Administration at the George Mason University. I devote most of my time to
carrying out the duties associated with my title of Miss Pakistan 2009, participating in events to increase awareness
about the presence of Pakistanis in the creative arts arena, and, most importantly, trying to do my part to give back
to the community. For instance, I, along with a family member, helped to administrate and implement a donation drive
to aid the victims of the 2005 earthquake in Pakistan that ranked 8.6 on the Richter scale. I also run a business
full time called Limelight Beauty Artistes. As founder and head artist, wardrobe designer, and personal stylist,
I employ other makeup artists, and am heavily involved in the fashion industry. My works have been displayed
in art galleries. I also work to bring recognition to Pakistani talent in the mainstream Western fashion industry.
I also model, and write beauty columns for several online and printed publications as a beauty specialist.
Dance is another passion of mine, especially traditional Egyptian cabaret belly dance, or Raqs’ al Sharqi;
I teach this elegant dance form that employs graceful hand and leg movement, flexibility and isolation of every muscle,
and feather-light ballet moves. Through it, I bare my soul. The music runs through my veins, and speaks to me through
the drops, pops, locks, shimmies, whirls and swirls of flowing tresses. After all, it is in my blood. Many, many
centuries ago, my ancestors settled in Gilan, Iran, hence the last name Gilani. Pakistan is a union of many rich
cultures, Persian, Indian, and Mongolian, to name a few. The word “Mughal” is actually a derivative of the word
Mongols, who were the original Mughal emperors.
Who influenced you to join your country’s national pageant prior to winning the title to represent your country at Miss Earth?
Since I was a little girl, people were always surprised to find that I am Pakistani. People expected me to look different
than I do, and even “act” different. Apparently, some people expect Pakistani women to be quiet, introverted, and withdrawn.
I, on the other hand, grew up as a bubbly, often goofy and very friendly girl. I learned to be confident from my
older sister and mother who always carried themselves with grace, poise, and self respect. After being insisted to
for the umpteenth time that I must ask my parents again because I could not be entirely Pakistani, I decided I had
to do something bigger to finally convince people after all that Pakistani people do look like I do, and do act like
I do. After hearing about the Miss Pakistan World pageant, which made headlines several years for being so controversial
as the first real pageant for Pakistanis, my interest peaked. When I researched the pageant to find out what it was
all about, I discovered that it was a true test of beauty and brains. Because the winning Miss Pakistan World queen
always receives a lot of media exposure due to its barrier-breaking nature, all contestants had to prove their
ability to represent Pakistan on a global level. For six months, I researched politics, history, current events,
the entertainment industry, and more. I discovered there would be essay writing on controversial topics, and pop
quizzes, and there certainly were. I enjoy a challenge, and I could not help but join such a worthy cause.
I joined believing that the winner would be a woman who truly deserved to win. I emerged from the entire experience
a stronger woman.
How were you chosen to represent you country and what preparations have you done for the Miss Earth 2009
competition?
Through the process of choosing the current Miss Pakistan World titleholder, the judges came to know my thoughts
on international pageants and perhaps for this reason, they considered me to be a good delegate for this cause. I took
a strong stance against close-minded people who don’t want Pakistani women to go forth and represent our great nation
in international pageants. Most of Pakistan are moderate Muslims, and are just like me; therefore, they appreciate that I,
along with the Miss Pakistan World organization, go against the grain and fight for what we believe in, setting an example
for the world. Pakistani women, like all women, are strong, intelligent and multifaceted.
The Miss Earth 2009 competition is quite frankly the biggest opportunity of my life to date. I have devoted myself to
intense preparations. In order to represent a positive image of a woman who is healthy, strong, beautiful and intelligent,
I had to continue to monitor my eating habits to maintain a balanced diet and regularly frequent the gym to maintain
tone and strength. I also had to brush up my talent routine and practice choreography, model for several photo shoots
exclusively for Miss Earth, utilize creative thinking to brainstorm and implement a new project to help preserve
the environment, other than my previous efforts to encourage recycling, and research current environmental
issues. I participated in another international beauty pageant to become familiar with the expectations of
the pageant world, and I learned that it takes loads of diligence and dedication. Additionally, I worked with
Pakistani talent to custom design for me and sponsor some of my gowns and dresses, and purchased others to
ensure I represent the beauty and fashion forward culture of Pakistan to the best of my ability. I have also
tried to learn about the culture that I will be so graciously accepted into for the next three weeks, so that
I may be respectful to the customs. I hope my Tagalog pronunciation isn’t too terrible! Lastly, I have been
trying to ensure I get enough sleep to save all of my energy for all the hard work it will take
to be a contestant worthy of Miss Earth, but as the day draws near for my trip to the Philippines,
I have been so excited that I can’t sleep!
If you could choose among the four elements: earth, air, water or fire, what would you like to be and why?
In myself, I see the element of earth. Woman and Mother Earth are one in the same; we are pure, full of light and beauty, nurturing and fertile, givers of life. Neither woman nor earth is a force to be reckoned with. Air, water and fire
are elements without which the Earth would not thrive, and vice versa. They are codependent, like all living beings.
What is your fashion sense and style? Who is your style icon and why?
I love fashion and beauty, simply put. I am blessed to be able to work in the fashion industry. I dress to express
my personality and emotions. Staying abreast of the latest fashions and having a sixth sense for impending trends
are things I enjoy. I like to take risks and put myself out there; sometimes I make mistakes, but I only learn from
them and move forward. It’s the beauty of life. As a leader, not a follower, I am sometimes a trend setter. I am not a
slave to fashion, however. I love to incorporate my own romantic, nurturing personality into my attire. I didn’t ask
to be born a female; I just got lucky. My beauty icon is Cleopatra. The epitome of exotic Eastern allure, she was
a pioneer in the world of beauty. She created rouge for the lips and cheeks, and it was her people, the ancient
Egyptians, who brought us kohl, which they originally used to shield their eyes from the desert sun’s glare. To me,
Cleopatra stands for a bold, strong woman who was not afraid to use her feminine wiles as an aid to her intelligence
and wit to conquer the hearts and minds of the masses. As do beauty pageants, she embraced feminine beauty as a gift,
and this is a lesson that should be carried forth millennia later.
What environmental platform do you want to pursue during the Miss Earth 2009 pageant and how would you help to
pursue this platform?
There is a great demand in Pakistan for proper sanitation removal. For this reason, I feel recycling of plastic
and glass is important to the future of Pakistan. Proper disposal of plastic and glass can have an immense impact
on reducing the pollution factor. First and foremost, Pakistan needs to focus on the one factor that can solve
all of the world’s problems: education. Awareness sparks action. Most of the residents of Pakistan are not even
aware of the crises facing their precious environment, nor are they cognizant of their own unconscious contributions
to these crises. Through awareness of the problems and exactly how much harm they are causing to their own home,
the earth, and then what they can do to prevent the environment’s degradation, people can then take the next step
and take action against these harmful practices and habits. With the platform given to me by the prestigious
Miss Earth pageant, I would use this opportunity to appeal to the masses to take action by continuing to educate
the public through group events and marketing.
Are you a member of any environmental organization or animal rights protection in your country?
Yes, I am an active member of the Green Earth Recycling company based in my hometown of Lahore, Pakistan.
My organization and I are informing the Pakistani people the significance of recycling through posters, memos,
lectures, and group events to motivate the people to take action and do their small part to help Mother Earth.
Do you have any idea about the host country, Philippines? What are your impressions about the country? And what do you know about
the Finals Night venue, the island of Boracay?
I have had several Filipino friends growing up, and from what I have experienced through them, the culture
of the Filipino people is a colorful, rich one, bursting with flavor, just like the food. I look forward to visiting
the islands of what has been called the treasure of Southeast Asia. Upon learning that Miss Earth was being held in
the Philippines, I researched the country. I am nothing short of ecstatic to have the opportunity to travel to such
a beautiful country. I love being around water, and can’t wait to be surrounded by it at all times. I am sure,
though, that all the reading in the world cannot compare to smelling the crystal blue salt waters and feeling
the white sand of Boracay between my toes in person.
Have you heard about the recent disaster brought by typhoons Ondoy (Ketsana) and Pepeng (Parma) in the Philippines?
How do you feel about the tragedy that befell some part of the Philippines due to these typhoons?
Yes, I have heard about this tragic event that rocked the Philippines. I know all too well what it feels like
to have your home hit by a natural disaster beyond comprehension. The feelings of helplessness, vulnerability,
frustration and worry are all too real to me. For this reason, I felt an exaggerated sense of sadness come over
me upon learning of this event. Granted, we, the human race, are our own worst enemy; we create weapons that kill
our own children, we cut down the trees that provide the oxygen we breathe, and we release poisons into the world
that destroy the very fabrics of life and turn the elements against us. However, once these natural disasters
are sparked, nothing can protect people from the catastrophic effects, for no one can hide from Mother Earth.
I feel sad for the loss of life accrued to this event, for the mothers, fathers and children.
With the recent disaster that happened in the Philippines and other parts of the world, do you think Miss Earth pageant is still
relevant in promoting environmental
awareness all over the world?
Absolutely. The Miss Earth pageant has increased environmental awareness worldwide. It is common knowledge that Miss
Earth believes in "beauties for a cause." Every queen, through her inner and outer beauty, appeals to the world and
spreads knowledge of issues challenging Mother Earth. Because Miss Earth is a very well-respected organization and
pageant the world over, it gives the queen a platform that sparks the interest of the world. For instance,
Miss Earth 2008, Karla Henry, educated the world through reaching out to children about planting trees. The
previous winner, Jessica Trisko, focused on saving endangered species, such as the sea turtle, and participated
in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The Miss Earth organization realizes that when
beauty speaks, people listen, and so chooses the most beautiful and intelligent woman in the entire world
to carry forth their message of loving back Mother Earth, and working together to preserve it.
What do you think is the biggest environmental problem that our planet Earth is experiencing today? And how would you do
your share to prevent this problem?
I strongly believe it to be the lack of education. As I mentioned earlier, many of the world’s problems can be solved
through education. Knowledge sparks action. Not until the inhabitants of this earth are aware of how their actions,
or lack thereof, contribute to the degradation of our precious planet can a plan of action be put into place and executed.
If you win the Miss Earth title, how would you use your title to promote environmental awareness all over the world?
If I were to win the Miss Earth title, after pinching myself to test whether or not I were dreaming, I would set out
to carry forth the torch passed on to me by previous queens. I would have big shoes to fill, because Miss Earth is
known for her environmental efforts. I would connect to the masses by sparking their interest through sharing inner
light and happiness with my forever-looming smile. Laughter is infectious and can heal many of the world’s problems.
Upon gaining their attention, I would share my message of awareness. Ideally, I would become a spokesperson for not
just recycling, but general environmental awareness and consciousness of our actions. I would like to continue
lecturing and organizing group events to motivate people to get involved in their own small way in preserving
our earth. As Miss Earth Pakistan, I would like to appeal to the education system in Pakistan to include environmental
awareness in the course agenda in schools. The youth is our future. Perhaps they can go home and teach their elders
so that the youth has an earth to cherish once they grow up.
Which of the two would you choose and why? Beautiful or Smart.
Smart. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as cliché as it sounds. It’s subjective. Intellect is undeniable. Brains are beautiful.
City or countryside?
Countryside. As much as I enjoy the hustle and bustle of city life here and there, I feel most at home in the
tranquility of nature. I equate nature’s wiles to love, the ultimate power. It inspired me to write the following poem
several years ago:
“As the sun fixed to bid farewell,
He blew sweet nothings into the rustling leaves.
The trees blushed and bowed their heads.
Running its fingers through my hair, caressing my neck, the breeze,
I filled my lungs with it,
And it consumes my entire being.
Running through my veins,
You become my breath, incapacitate me.”
Money or fame?
Money, although just enough to afford the necessities of life. One day, I hope to have a family of my own.
I would like to provide a home for them that is as comfortable, supportive and nurturing as the one my parents blessed me with.
Blind or mute?
Mute. Although I would miss the sound of laughter, I could not bear the absence of smiles in my life.
Likewise, the vision of sunshine feels as though Mother Earth is smiling at me.
Love life or beauty pageant crown?
Beauty pageant crown. The physical crown lasts one year upon a queen’s head, but once it is taken off, it has
transformed the wearer and left its mark. A true queen will always shine as royalty, with or without jewels on her head.
Lastly, what is your message to all the people reading this interview?
Mankind needs to spread the message of environmental awareness so that we can return the love given to us by Mother
Earth. If we take care of her, she will take care of us, and the generations we will bring to this Earth together.
Thank you kindly for all the support you have given me. I hope you enjoy our journey through this once in a
lifetime opportunity as the lucky delegates of the Miss Earth pageant. I look forward to representing the
love of my life, my country, Pakistan, and making many lifelong memories with wonderful new friends along the way.
I hope I make my fellow Pakistanis proud.
PHOTO CREDIT: Miss Pakistan World Organization
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