Dalia Fernandez, the current Miss Dominican Republic, who we have spotted at various functions and charity events in Casa de Campo, as well as the La Romana area on numerous occasions over the last few months – was again in Casa de Campo over the Fundación MIR Magical Splendor for Life weekend (January 27 and 28), and during her visit Casa de Campo Living caught up with the beauty queen for a quick interview!
The following interview, which also includes questions made by enthusiastic and excited pupils at MIR’s vocational girls school, was conducted by Paola Marte, Casa de Campo Living’s new journalist:
– What did you feel when you were finally named Miss Dominican Republic?
When I was named Miss Dominican Republic, the first thing I did was to thank God because he allowed me to get to where I got in the Beauty Pageant, and then I was very proud of myself because, although there were really tough moments, it was something which I worked hard for.
– In order to acheive your goal, what was that one (or several) thing (s) which was or were most difficult to overcome.
I am from Santiago, not even from the capital city of Santo Domingo and that was the first thing I had to overcome. So I went to live with my aunt and uncle in Santo Domingo, but it was really like living alone because back in Santiago, my parents did everything for me… in Santo Domingo I had to learn how to wash my clothes, cook, iron … do everything I had never done in my life! My life changed in one single month and this taught me a lesson, I’m much more independent today and there are decisions which are personal, nobody can decide for you.
– How are you doing with this job and what does it mean to you?
– Everything is going pretty well and I am very happy and honored to be here with you because helping others, to me, is like starting to live again.
– What have you learnt and how did you get along with other models at Miss Universe?
There are 98 candidates in Miss Universe and that means 98 different countries, cultures and languages with which you have the opportunity to interact, although you don’t have the time to get to know them very well. However I did get along with the girls from Colombia, Venezuela, Puerto Rico… but I quite enjoyed the experience and it is an interesting way of learning from others and interacting with them.
As new friends of the Fundación MIR, beauty queens, Dayanara Torres, Miss Universe 1993 and the current Miss Dominican Republic, Dalia Fernández took a tour of the Fundación MIR’s schools; the MIR Esperanza (the boys vocational school), and the Escuela Tecnica Vocacional Fundacion MIR (the girls vocational school).
– How did you find out about Fundación MIR and its projects, as well as the Magical Splendor for Life?
They (Fundación MIR) invited me. How can I explain this?… My heart belongs to everyone, believe it or not.. it may not be something usual you’d find in the “Misses”, but I love to do this, I love helping others, I also had the opportunity to participate in the Three Kings activity (at the Autopista Coral) and it is a whole new experience. Everytime I get involved I also put my heart into all of these activities. They (Fundación MIR) have everything well distributed, fully equiped classrooms and areas, and education depends a lot on the teachers’ capacity to teach! This I did see in their reading, greetings and good manners.
Dalia Fernandez at the Fundación MIR Magical Splendor for Life Gala
The 21st annual Magical Splendor for Life fundraising weekend took place on Friday and Saturday the 27th and 28th of January with a fabulous gala and fashion show by Badgley Mischka, a golf tournament and exclusive VIP dinner.
Spanish
