World Class Beauty Queens Magazine would like to welcome amazing Queen Dr Felicia Soong Suet-Wan Mrs Malaysia Universe 2018.
Full name: Dr Felicia Soong Suet-Wan
Title/Year: Mrs Malaysia Universe 2018
Pageant System: Opened to married women with child(ren) 25 years to 65 years old. National Level (Mrs Malaysia Universe) is eligible to represent Malaysia for Mrs Universe.
Age: 38
Zodiac sign: Taurus
Hobbies: Hiking, scuba diving, arranging flowers, medical missions
Platform: Mrs Malaysia Universe
Years competed: 1 year
Countries visited: Cambodia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines, Korea, China, Nepal, The UK, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Italy, Kenya, Togo
Likes: Nature, outdoor activities, helping people, spending time with my kids
Dislikes: Rude and proud people
Status: Married with 2 children
World Class Beauty Queens: Please tell us about yourself.
I'm Dr Felicia Soong, 38 year old mother of 2 beautiful children ages 5 (Norah Jean) and 2 (Oliver). I am a medical doctor by profession. I hail from Batu Pahat, Johor but now reside in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. I am the only and youngest daughter of 5 siblings. I completed my medical degree in the University of Manchester, UK and have a special interest in Medical Aesthetics. Currently, I have my very own Practice recognized by the Ministry of Health Malaysia. I am very passionate in serving the underprivileged and regularly commit to medical missions in 3rd world countries.
World Class Beauty Queens: What does women Empowerment means to you?
To me, Women Empowerment means not only supporting fellow women but uplifting them to be a better version of themselves. Once they regain their confidence, they in turn are able to contribute to society.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about your pageant history.
This is my first pageant.
World Class Beauty Queens: What inspired you to do your first pageant?
As I was approaching 38, I was overweight, disheveled and demotivated with my career path. I looked at my daughter and felt a strong urge to improve my life so she sees her mother as a strong role model who is beautiful inside and outside, confident and determined to make an impact. I started to groom myself, exercise and eat healthily. Thats when my friends noticed the changes and encouraged me to join the pageant.
World Class Beauty Queens: Why did you choose to compete for your current title?
My objective from the beginning has been very clear. Firstly, I wanted to win the title of Mrs Malaysia Universe, so I may use my title and lend my voice to help the underprivileged which I am very passionate about. I have served in 13 medical missions worldwide providing healthcare in desolated areas and also volunteered in the 2015 Nepal Earthquake relief when my baby was a tender age of 8 months. I was still breast feeding! I wanted to open the eyes of society, that anyone can do humanitarian work regardless of their commitment, social and economical status.
Secondly, I wanted to leave a legacy for my children and to make my family proud of who I have become.
World Class Beauty Queens: To those unfamiliar with your pageant system please tell us what is it about?
Women aged between 25-65 (married, divorced, single mother) with children are eligible to apply at a National level. The pageant is divided into two categories: 25-40 will compete for the title Mrs Malaysia Universe, while 41-65 will compete for the title Mrs Elite Malaysia Universe.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are you being judged on during the competition?
We were judged on our personality, transformation and determination during the whole pageantry journey, our intelligence, social etiquette, grooming, talent, catwalk and most importantly our inner beauty.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about your experience during the competition.
It was an experience I will always cherish. Working full time as a doctor and having children does not give me much opportunity to interact with other women from different walks of life. It opened my eyes, we could still have fun and enjoy each others company dancing, during our photoshoots and late nights sharing our stories. The aura of women empowerment was very intense when we encouraged and helped each other progress during the competition. Of course, it was quite stressful as well, as I wanted to be the best! Thank God for the support of my husband, my family and friends. They gave me hugs and encouraging words when I felt overwhelmed and exhausted preparing for the competition. World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about your platform or what cause do you volunteer for.
I have spent 12 years volunteering in medical camps in 3rd world countries and Refugee Camps with the church. This year, I am humbled to be appointed as an Ambassador for Change Your World, Be My Protector (NGO that fights human trafficking, abuse and exploitation) and Ocean Hero Conservation (NGO that educates public on the importance of conserving marine life). Currently, I am working alongside Change Your World in organizing a Kids Nation Building Program endorsed by the Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change known as Kidsforkids Program.
World Class Beauty Queens: What appearances have you done with your title?
I have been invited as a Judge for local pageants, walked in a few fashion shows and also participated in the Malaysia Book of Records.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are some of your achievements?
I won 3 subsidiary titles: Mrs Congeniality, Best Presentation and top 5 Best Talent during the competition. I've been appointed as Ambassador for Change Your World, Be My Protector and Ocean Hero Conservation.
World Class Beauty Queens: What makes you stand out from all those other beautiful girls?
I was told, I stood out because of my demeanor, my smile, I'm always the first to lend a helping hand to anyone and my speech that touched the hearts of many.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about the moment your name was called out as the winner.
I kept thanking God over and over again! He validated my purpose. I cried because I felt I've made my family really proud and it was worth every sacrifice I made.
World Class Beauty Queens: What does it mean to you to be a Beauty Queen?
To be a role model to other women and the younger generation that a Beauty Queen is not just someone revered for her physical looks but how she shows the world her inner beauty.
World Class Beauty Queens: How did competing in pageants helped your life?
It has open doors to like minded individuals for opportunities to reach out to the underprivileged and needy locally. I am able to impact more lives with the support of others, be it financially, manpower or creating awareness.
World Class Beauty Queens: How did pageants helped your selfesteem and body image?
It motivated me to transform from flab to fab! Since I am a public figure now, I make sure i do my very best to maintain my silhouette, my poise as I represent Mrs Malaysia Universe 2018. I dress and care for myself more through the pageant.
World Class Beauty Queens: You are an inspiration to all the girls out there. How does it feel?
I feel blessed. It is very encouraging and heart warming, especially when other mothers walk up to me, hold my hand telling me what an inspiration I have been to them and confiding in me how they have transformed too!
World Class Beauty Queens: What is your on stage strategy to win the judges over?
Smile, smile, smile! Always have eye contact with the audience. Be graceful in your walk and demeanour. Speak clearly and in a pleasing tone.
World Class Beauty Queens: How did you prepare for your competition?
There was indeed a lot of preparation involved. It is not easy to find extra time working 6 full days a week with such young children demanding for attention too. My three biggest challenges were losing the excess weight accumulated over the pregnancies while being diagnosed with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis but i lost a total of 15kgs within 6 months by strict dieting and "forcing" myself to the gym after putting my kids to bed. I would spend 2 hrs everyday after work in catwalk training with 5" heels which I've never walked in more than 2" before. I also challenged myself to practice the piano which I've not played for 15 years for my talent round with my headphones after midnight!
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for learning better pageant walk?
Enroll yourself into a reputable modelling school where the coach is willing to train you one to one. Practice your walk in your high heels whenever and wherever you can (in the mall, park, living room and even kitchen!)
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for choosing right pageant dress?
Choose a dress that suits your style and colour personality. In order to stand out, choose a colour that is eye chasing. Do not choose a style which is too revealing. There is a fine line between sexy and being vulgar.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for winning interview?
Speak from your heart. Always state a meaningful purpose in your interview.
World Class Beauty Queens: What is one mistake that you've done during competing you wish you could redo and fix it?
Be more confident in playing my piano piece at talent round. I managed to secure top 5 best talent but some parts were painful to the ears!
World Class Beauty Queens: What other mistakes are made by girls during the contest?
They did not take the competition seriously and were not well prepared.
World Class Beauty Queens: Any modeling or acting experience?
None before this.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your plans for 2019 as a Queen?
To continue to inspire other women, to share my experiences in Women Empowering events and most importantly, to contribute more in humanitarian projects.
World Class Beauty Queens: What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?
A Beauty Queen who chooses to serve others with her title despite being a full time working mother. A Beauty Queen who challenges women out there to serve in whatever way they can regardless of the social economic status and commitment in life.
International Director: Mrs Universe Ltd
National Director: Mdm Lim Siew Cheng
Pageant website: https://www.facebook.com/pg/MrsMalaysia/about/?ref=page_internal World Class Beauty Queens Magazine would like to say thank you for this amazing interview.
Dr Felicia Soong Suet-Wan Mrs Malaysia Universe 2018, World Class Beauty Queens Magazine, Dress designer: Joshua Benedict, Photo by Senigala
Interview by Derek Tokarzewski Owner/Editor in Chief Mr United Nations 2018 Platform: Women Empowerment Ambassador to International Foundation for Orphans iffocares.org
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