ODESSA PHILLIPS, Guyana's delegate at the Miss Universe 2004 pageant in Quito, Ecuador, is assuring the Guyanese public that she remains focused on the task ahead of her -- that is to bring glory to Guyana by capturing the coveted Miss Universe crown.
"It's as expected, very hectic and competitive over here, but I'm pulling on my inner strength so that I do not get distracted by all that is going on and focus on what I'm here for - firstly, to get into the 15, then the ten (semifinalists)," a confident-sounding Odessa told the Guyana Chronicle in an exclusive interview late Friday evening.
However, the Guyanese beauty is urging her countrymen and women to visit the Miss Universe website as well as the Miss Guyana Universe website and cast their votes for her, a support, she said, that would definitely put her in good stead towards achieving any of those goals.
Since her arrival in Ecuador, Odessa said things have been happening for her, and although there are 80 delegates in the pageant, she has been enjoying a fair amount of media attention and public support.
Odessa said that she has made the front and centre papers of the Ecuador's Elcomercio newspaper. People constantly hail her as, ‘Odessa’ or Miss Guyana, whenever the delegates make public appearances.
“I also try to be friendly with the people, as their acceptance also counts,” she said.
The Guyana delegate disclosed that her daily activities include attending cocktail receptions and other gala events, participating in photo shoots and visiting places of interest in the three main cities in Ecuador -- Quito, Guayaquil and Cuenca. These routines take the delegates well into the evenings, she explained.
According to her, she is so confident that she is ‘transformed’ whenever she goes on stage, a development that some of her sister delegates have noted. They have commended her ability to “come alive and be bubbly” whenever she is on stage.
"I came here for a specific purpose, and that's what I'm working towards," said Odessa. She added that she is looking forward with some excitement when she has to don her outfit for the National Costume Competition, which takes place at the National Theater, Casa de la Cultura, tomorrow starting at 19:00 hrs. She hopes to give a “come good” for Guyana in that event.
Odessa confessed that her added excitement comes from the fact that most of the costumes she has seen displayed at functions in Ecuador look very close to hers -- the gold, beads, greenery, and flowers.
"I thank God for Derek (Moore) and his insight," she noted gratefully.
Asked how she feels about her interview, Odessa admitted that she did not know it has already been posted on the Website. She explained that she had tried to be ‘punchy’ with her answers, and not to be too elaborate.
"This was my plan so that I could leave room to be more expressive and not to sound repetitive,” she explained.
Odessa, who has two evening gowns -- one by Derek Moore and the other by Roger Gary -- says she feels comfortable in both, and will make a choice when the right moment comes.
She added that some of the delegates, in particular, her roommate Miss Kenya, Anita Maina, are all intrigued by her wardrobe and have remarked that her director (Mr Odinga Lumumba) “has really prepared me for the pageant with bags and shoes to match my outfits”.
She said that Anita, who has spoken to Mr Lumumba by phone, has already extended an invitation for him and Odessa to visit Kenya.
The Guyanese beauty appears to be quite popular among the delegates and she takes every opportunity to tell them stories about her country, “in particular about the Kaieteur Falls. They all want to come to Guyana".
Asked how she likes the food, Odessa said the main dish is shrimp, "It is the main dish in Ecuador. It is exported on a large scale, and is served at every occasion in all the styles you can think of ". She noted that the land is very fertile, and that flowers are ‘a big thing’ in Ecuador.
On this note, Odessa was excited to tell about a "huge bouquet" of beautiful roses sent her by Mr Brian Chin, a Guyanese, who is in the United States Marine Corps and is on a training programme in Ecuador. The bouquet, she said, had the other delegates going “crazy”.
Chin had seen her photograph and had sent her the bouquet to cheer her up.
Then there is another Guyanese, Mr Len Kandasammy, who Odessa says, has also made contact with her. He calls the hotel on a daily basis to enquire of her well-being and to ask if she needed assistance with anything.
"That is so thoughtful of them and their actions have been a huge boost for my morale, after all you’re in a strange land and it feels so good to hear from your own people and know that they are supporting you," she added.
Odessa said, too, she is ever grateful for all the tips and words of advice she received before departing Guyana for Ecuador.
She again urged her countrymen and women to continue praying that she overcomes the first hurdle in order to be named among the 15 semifinalists.
The 53rd Miss Universe 2004 pageant comes off in Quito on June 1. This afternoon the national gifts from the country of each delegate will be auctioned at the Swiss Hotel in Quito. The Presentation Show at which the 15 semifinalists will be chosen takes place on Wednesday evening.
Meanwhile, national franchise holder Mr Lumumba has advised that persons desirous of travelling to Ecuador to view the pageant live can do so via BWIA for less than US$1,000. This sum includes accommodation and meals.