Entering a beauty contest and winning it have become a way of life for most girls who want to join showbusiness or become a celebrity. With a beauty title, one is almost guaranteed a leading lady role in a film and a spot of television hosting. That is fine and dandy. Actually some become really good and respected actresses and entertainers.
But what is heartbreaking is that many of these girls/women are very accomplished and intelligent in various disciplines. They are graduates of some of the most prestigious universities and colleges in the Philippines such as the University of the Philippines, Ateneo, De la Salle, UST, etc ; some of these women finished with honours and yet we do not hear them being exemplary in the field of their degrees.
Why? Perhaps the beckon of a showbiz career has a more powerful pull?!!! Being a celebrity is a drug.
If you have got the chance to shine, this is it! You have the world watching you, use it. Don’t be tempted to just be a host or a film actress, those careers are so fleeting, after all major beauty pageants in the Philippines give birth to four new beauty queens each year; be the scientist that you are, be the lawyer that you are, be the doctor that you are, be the economist that you are, be the business woman that you are! Be the inspiration that you spouted you will be.
Miss Philippines Universe
Below is the list of Philippine Representatives to the Miss Universe contest from 1952.
1952 Teresita Torralba Sanchez
Teresita was a history maker in the world of Philippine Universe contest.
She was the very first Philippine candidate to the very first Miss Universe pageant. She was then a 20-year old medical student at UST.
Teresita was a history maker in the world of Philippine Universe contest.
1953 Cristina Galang
Cristina Galang was from Tarlac. She studied law but was an undergraduate. She married a doctor and had 5 children.
Cristina Galang was from Tarlac. She studied law but was an undergraduate. She married a doctor and had 5 children.
Maria Blesilda Ocampo
1954 Maria Candida Ocampo
Maria Candida Ocampo was a first year Architecture student at the University of Santo Tomas when she joined the beauty contest to represent the Philippines. A good thing too as it turned out.
She was the very first Filipina to land in the top 16 of the Miss Universe pageant.
1955 Yvonne Berrenguer de los Reyes
Yvonne Berenguer De Los Santos
Yvonne Berrenguer de los Reyes comes from a family of beautiful women. Therefore, many of her kins have entered beauty pageants themselves.
1956 Isabel Escobar Rodriguez
Isabel Escobar Rodriguez
Prior to joining the beauty contest, Isabel Escobar Rodriguez was a convent girl. She had to quit in order to enter the pageant.
1957 Mary Ann Carmen Philipps Corrales
Mary Ann Carmen Philipps Corrales
It seems Mary Ann Carmen Philipps Corrales really wanted to represent the Philippines to the Miss Universe contest. She entered the Miss Philippines pageant three times. Third time lucky!
1958 Carmen Remedios Tuason
Carmen Tuason
Apparently Carmen is not only beautiful but a bit of a brain box as well. She represented the Philippines in the first International mind sports game, which was held in Beijing, China. She has also quite a prowess in the game ‘Bridge’ She was in the 31st ASEAN Bridge Club championship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
1959 Cristina Matias
Cristina Matias
Cristina Matias was also Manila’s Miss Youth 1959.
1960 No Representative
1961 No Representative
1962 Josephine Brown Estrada
I never thought that Josephine Estrada was a beauty queen of the Miss Universe kind. She was of course really stunning but I’ve always thought of her as movie queen. Josephine was a favourite partner of the macho men of Philippine cinema of the 60s. She has one of the loveliest faces in Philippine cinema. Josephine prior to the movies was all set to study medicine; it shows she is not only beautiful but brainy as well.
What I can gather from the net is that Josephine is now based in Washington D.C.
1963 Lalaine Betia Bennett
Lalaine Bennett
She was part American (an American Mestiza) from Bayongbong, Nueva Viscaya.
Lalaine, also fondly called Bing bing secured the third place in Miss Universe pageant.
1964 Maria Myrna Sese Panlilio
myrna panlilio
Maria Myrna Sese Panlilio was the first ever winner of the Bb (binibining) Pilipinas. It used to be the search for Miss Philippines.
She passed away in 2009 from cardiac arrest due to complications from gall bladder ailments. (RIP)
1965 Louise Aurelio Vail
Louise Aurelio Vail
Louise, an American mestiza from Iloilo, competed in the beauty pageants (Bb Pilipinas & Miss Universe) using a Filipinised ‘version’ of her name, Louise Vail Aurelio.
Louise was a Semi-finalist (top 15) at the Miss Universe
1966
Maria Clarinda GarcesSoriano
Maria Clarinda Garces Soriano was a 20 year old nursing student at the University of the East when she joined the beauty contest.
She eventually became one of the 15 Semi-Finalists of Miss Universe pageant.
1967 Pilar Pilapil
Pilar Pilapil
Pilar Pilapil has remained beautiful, age has not withered her 🙂 . She is a multi-awarded actress.
Pilar is a true and befitting inspiration to women. She put her money where her mouth is. She founded the Pilar Pilapil Foundation, which extends help and support to battered and abused women.
196 Rosario Roselio Zaragoza
Rosario “Charina” Roselio Zaragoza
Rosario, fondly called as Charina settled in Madrid and became a popular singer in Spain. 🙂
1969 Glora Diaz
Gloria Diaz
Gloria Diaz
MISS UNIVERSE 1969
Ten Best in Swimsuit
Gloria Diaz made history. She was the first Miss Universe winner from the Philippines. Gloria has become a well respected actress; multi-awarded. Gloria is feisty that sometimes this gets her into trouble like her comment regarding English and the Cebuano which resulted in her being banned from Cebu. LOL Don’t you love this woman who allegedly only talks Tagalog to the maids? LMAO
NOW
gloria Dias
1970 Simonette Berenguer delos Reyes
Simonette Berenguer delos Reyes
Simonette Berenguer delos Reyes is the sister of 1955 Philippine’s Miss Universe rep: Yvonne Berrenguer de los Reyes.
After the pageant Simonette became the first winner of Baron Travel Girl. Simonette is also a bit of an entreprenuer. She has successfully launched a baked goods business.
1971 Vida Valentina Fernandez Doria
Vida Doria
Miss Photogenic
Vida Doria went on from strength to strength. She now runs her own designer label, vida Doria, which provides RTW (Ready to wear), formal suits and wedding outfits.
1972 Armi Barbara Quiray Crespo
Armi Barbara Quiray Crespo
Top 12 Semi-Finalist
197 Maria Margarita Moran-Floirendo
Margie Mora
MISS UNIVERSE 1973
Miss Photogenic
Margie Moran has always had that posture that is so elegant.
NOW
Margie Moran
She married Antonio R. Floirendo, Jr. and settled in Davao City, managing a resort called “Pearl Farm” in Samal Island. She did apply her degree in Business Administration and became a successful business woman.
She is now separated from her husband of 30 years and more or less based in Manila. She is involved in NGO pursuits.
what an extra-ordinary lady!
Did you know?
Margie used to collect Barbie dolls, the designer editions.
1974 Guadalupe “Guada” Cuerva Sanchez
Guadalupe sanchez
Guadalupe “Guada” Cuerva Sanchez
Top 12 Semi-Finalist
1975 Rose Marie “Chiqui” Singson Brosas
“The beauty of Filipino women is not just from the outside but also from the inside. Continue the cause that you actually believe in.”
~ Chiqui Brosas
Chiqui Brosa
4th Runner-up
If I have to name favourite Miss Universe Philippine reps, Chiqui Brosas would be very high on my list.
She has a very winsome smile and countenance. Apparently even Muhammad Ali was rather smitten with Chiqui when she was one of the ’round girls’ during the Thrilla in Manila.
After the Miss Universe pageant, Chiqui went on to study her higher education in France majoring in International Business Administration at the American College in Paris. She eventually married a German Filipino, Ralph Hahn and had a daughter, Regina Hahn, who followed in her mother’s footstep all the way to the Bb Pilipinas pageant.
Chiqui is now a licensed childbirth educator.
1976 Elizabeth Samson de Padua
Elizabeth Samson de Padua
Elizabeth Samson de Padua was a Summa Cum Laude from the University of the Philippines – Los Banos in Medicine.
1977 Anna Lorraine Tomas Kier
Anna Lorraine Tomas Kier
Anna Lorraine Tomas Kier, a Baguio City lass was only 16 years old when she won the Bb Pilipinas Universe.
After the pageant, which crowned the first black Miss Universe, Anna returned back to Baguio to finish her studies. She gained Bachelor of Arts majoring in Political Science. Anna then went on to marry Bong Tabora and bore him three children. As of now, Anna is a grandmother.
Motherhood did not stop Anna from her track. She continued on building her business. She became an event organiser for a time but had to slow down due to health reasons.
Jennifer Cortez
1978 Jennifer Cortez
Jennifer Mitzchek Cortez
Jennifer Cortez was an actress. She was already making a movie, Pagputi ng uwak, pag-itim ng tagak, when Romy Vitug, a multi-awarded Filipino cinematographer convinced her to enter Bb Pilipinas. After the Miss Universe contest, Jennifer went back to making movies and was active from 1978 – 1982. Soon after she migrated to the US.
1979 Criselda “Dang” Flores Cecilio
Criselda “Dang” Flores Cecilio
Like many beauty queens before her, Dang Cecilio- Palanca also ended up in the movies.
Nowadays though, Dang is more likely to be found capturing still life on canvas.
Her love affair with paintings came about in 2008 when she found herself orphaned. Her parents died just 80 days apart.
🙁
1980 Maria Rosario Silayan
Chat Silayan
Maria Rosario “Chat” Rivera Silayan
3rd Runner-up
Maria Rosario Silayan became better known as Chat Silayan in the movies, where she excelled as a very versatile actress. Her father was a well respected actor Vic Silayan. Chat Silayan died in April 2006 at the age of 46 of colon cancer. (RIP)
1981 Maria Caroline de Vera Mendoza
Maricar Mendoza
Maria Caroline “Maricar” de Vera Mendoza
1982 Maria Isabel “Maribel” Pagunsan Lopez
Maribel Lopez
Isabel Lopez, as most beauty queens, jumped straight into making movies. She made ‘controversial’ films (bold films where there were plenty of disrobing and sex, LOL)
She was more than just a stunning, statuesque beauty, she can actually act and have garnered countless nominations and awards as an actress.
She remained active for a long time in show business.
Isabel has more talents. She was a Fine Arts graduate of the University of the Philippines which shows in her paintings and having been a fashion designer for Rustan and SM.
Maribel Lopez married but now separated from Hiroshi Yokohama; they have two children, one (Mara Lopez) is now following in her footsteps by becoming an actress.
NOW
Maribel Lopez
“When I paint, it’s being self-focused and in the process, I heal myself,” she shared. “Art is good for my wellbeing. I become a better person. Through it, I can give more love and nurture more families.”
- Maribel Lopez
Nov 2017 update:
Isabel Lopez is in a bit of a bother at the moment. Apparently she is being investigated by Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) for alleged tampering of security controlled traffic cones meant for visiting ASEAN delegates. She apparently bragged her misdemeanour in her social media accounts. Her alleged action is not befitting of a beauty queen, who should be an inspiration to the masses. She might lose or have her driving licence suspended.
More updates:
Regarding her traffic violation above, Isabel Lopez driving licence has been cancelled and also fined P8000 (Philippine pesos) which is about $159 for 3 traffic violations. She can then reapply in two years time for a new licence.
1983 Rosita “Cita” Cornell Capuyon
Cita Capuyon
Cita Capuyon
She is married to Greggy Liwag, whom she met on a blind date. They have three children, Nicole, John Gregory, and Christopher. Capuyon and her family are now based in America since 1989.
I remember Greggy Liwag in the early 80s. He used to be a hunk that did bold films. He showed his sexy abs a lot and was cavorting on-screen with equally sexy leading ladies.
Apparently this was a major reason why they had to move to the US. Greggy and Cita were always talked about and becoming involved with controversies, where there should be none, brought about by the Greggy’s show business career, which was proving detrimental to their marriage. To get away from it all, they decided to start over in America where Greggy was born.
Greggy is now an IT expert while Cita works as a claims adjustor for an insurance company. They lead a happy but quiet life in the US. And Cita is now a grandmother to two gorgeous kids.
NOW
Greggy Liwag and Cita Capuyon
Cita Capuyon
1984 Maria Desiree “Des” Erese Verdadero
Maria Desiree “Des” Erese Verdadero
Maria Desiree “Des” Erese Verdadero
3rd Runner-up
Works at Professional Models Association of the Philippines (PMAP) and now lives in Lakewood, California
1985 Joyce Ann Burton
Joyce Ann Burton
Joyce Ann Burton – Titular is married to Ron Titular. She is a mother to two grown up children. Nowadays, Joyce is a prolific blogger, running her own website, which is full of information of the comings and goings of past, present and future beauty queens.
According to her profile, Joyce is a newscaster and has dabbled in dramas as well. She is one busy lady.
Joyce is a beautiful girl but more stunning as she matures.
1986 Violeta Asela Enriquez Naluz
Violeta AselaEnriquezNaluz
Violeta Asela Enriquez Naluz, according to some internet articles. is now based in Hong Kong and is working for Cathay Pacific (as a cabin crew?)
1987 Geraldine Edith “Pebbles” Villaruz Asis
Geraldine Edith “Pebbles” Villaruz Asis
Top 10 Semi-Finalist
1988 Perfida “Perlee” Reyes Limpin
Perfida “Perlee” Reyes Limpin
1989 Sara Jane Davis Paez
Sara Jane Davis Paez
1990 Germelina Leah “Gem” Banal Padilla
1991 Maria Lourdes “Alou” Talam Gonzales
Anjanette Palencia Abayari
Anjanette Palencia Abayari
In 1991, Anjanette Palencia Abayari was crowned as Binibining Pilipinas-Universe but dethroned because she was an American citizen.
Alou Gonzales,
Alou Gonzales, that year’s Bb. Pilipinas-Maja International replaced her as Miss Philippines in the Miss Universe pageant held in Las Vegas, Nevada.1991
1992 Elizabeth “Liza” Garcia Berroya
Elizabeth “Liza” Garcia Berroya
1993 Melinda Joanna “Dindi” Tanseco Gallardo
Melinda Joanna “Dindi” Tanseco Gallardo
1994 Charlene Mae Gonzales Bonnin
Charlene Gonzales
Charlene Gonzales
Top 6 Finalist
Best in National Costume
Charlene Gonzales Bonnin is the daughter of a movie actor, Bernard Bonnin. Therefore, the world of showbiz is a familiar environment.
After her pageant experiences, she was a much sought after commercial model.
She married a matinee idol, Aga Mullach and became a mother of twins, who are now young adults.
1995 Joanne Zapanta Santos
Joanne Santos
Joanne Santos Quintas was born in 1976.
At the age of just 18, she won the Binibining Pilipinas in 1995 and representative the Philippines in the Miss Universe pageant.
Like most beauty pageant candidates/winners, Joanne ended up entering the world of show business, doing movies and television. She was also a model and became the image of Pink Soda, an original Filipino clothing brand name.
Whilst modelling she met Domini Primero, who happened to be model as well. They fell in love and eventually got married and now have three beautiful kids: Rafael, Mulawin and Mayumi.
Joanne has a talent for photography. She honed this talent by taking a course in Photography which was a wise decision as she became famous not only in front the camera but more so behind the camera.
Unfortunately for her, her corroboration with a political candidate, Joey Marques, resulted in a minor controversy; it was gossiped that there was more to their working relationship. This rumour was fuelled by Joey marquez’ penchant for bedding movie actresses and beautiful ladies. LOL
But it was all work and no playing around apparently 😉 . She was the official photographer of Joey Marquez.
Joanne’s beauty secret has all to do with being a busy mother. Dealing with her children was enough exercise to keep her fit and her figure trimmed. She did not have to resort to diet pills and any plastic surgery such as liposuction.
Joanne and Dominic are busy with their various family businesses such as The Big Fish, which has something to do with their modeling backgrounds. Their company does event promotions and fashion shows.
As if this is not enough, they also own a stall of Mexican Food at the NAIA Terminal Building and Joanne is the chief cook. Joanne Santos Quintas is a true inspiration to Filipinas as she is very versatile.
- See more at: http://www.pinoystop.com/bio/celebrity-profile/1505/joanne-quintas-biography#sthash.LXo4Za1x.dpuf
Aileen Damiles
Aileen Damiles
1996 Aileen Damiles
Aileen “Leng” Marfori Damiles may not have placed on the top 10 semi-finalists but she won a special award for Miss Photogenic.
For some reason Aileen Damiles is trending at the moment. There are rumours (which I have just heard) that she has an alleged liaison with Danding Cojuangco, Jr. This alleged affair produced two daughters, who are now grown up, according to instagram photos compiled in youtube.
1997 Abbygale Williamson Arenas
Abbygale Arenas
Abbygale Arenas
Abbygale Williamson Arenas (born November 17, 1974 in Angeles City) is a former model from the Philippines. She stands at 5’9″ and is said to resemble Linda Evangelista. She is now a freelance make-up artist. She is married to photographer Jun de Leon.
Pageantry
In 1992, she represented Pampanga in the “Ford Supermodel of the World – Philippines”. After that she went on to represent the Philippines in the international finals. In 1994, she enlisted to compete in Binibining Pilipinas, where she came became First Runner-up.
In 1997 she won the Binibining Pilipinas Universe title, which entitled her to go on to the Miss Universe pageant.
She also brought home the Best in Swimsuit and Best in Long Gown awards. She placed 11th in Miss Universe, missing the Top 10 by 0.01 of a point, but came home with a Miss Photogenic title
Source: Wikipedia
1998 Jewel May Colmenares Lobaton
Jewel May Colmenares Lobaton
NOW
Jewel May Colmenares Lobaton
Jewel May Colmenares Lobaton was married to Sen. Aquilino”Koko” Pimentel for a decade. They are now in the process of annulling their marriage which has irretrievably broken down due to alleged abuse by her husband. Jewel was quick to clarify that the abuse was in no way physical. It was psychological torture that left her not sleeping at night for years. 🙁
There was also the case of financial insecurity as her ex was not providing enough maintenance for their two children; this was a surprise as her husband came from a moneyed background.
Jewel said that she was vocal about the form of abuse she suffers from because she wanted to highlight its existence and would encourage others to stand up and stop being a victim.
Unfortunately there is always two sides to a story. There were rumours that Jewel was allegedly having it off with a married man and was also involved in trying to get a cut from the pork barrel scandal.
1999
Miriam Redito Quiambao
Miriam Redito Quiambao
1st Runner-up
Clairol Herbal Essence Style Award
I was at a coffee shop at Harrison Plaza when I picked up an old copy of a real estate magazine, I think it is called Lamudi. There was an interview with Miriam Quiambao. Apparently this beauty queen has been dabbling in real estate for quite sometime. She said her parents are both accountants and had shown her how to value money. She started saving at 8 years of age.
The monies she earned from the beauty contest activities as well as career in showbiz had been mostly saved. At the age of 26 she had P250,000.00 which she pooled with a friend. They started buying foreclosed properties in Cubao and rented them out. To date she has quite a sizeable property portfolio. She is quite savvy with money and proud of what she’d achieved. She likes being hands-on with her properties so do not be surprised to see her if you happen to rent a place via Airbnb which she patronises.
She is a true inspiration!
2000 Nina Ricci Alagao
Nina Ricci Alagao
Nina Ricci Alagao
Nina Ricci Alagao, many years on from her Miss Universe experience, is happily married to one Michael Flores, a Filipino actor. (I presume that they met in the field of showbiz as Nina has ended up being an actress like most of the beauty queens before her.) They have three boys and miraculously Nina is able to maintain a superb body, still keeping her vital statistics of her beauty pageant days. Nina and her husband wish for a fourth kid, a little girl. Apparently Nina is multi-talented. She is also a very accomplished seamstress. She longs to have a daughter to sew dresses for, in the meantime she makes clothes for her collection of Barbie dolls.
Nina believes that women, the mothers/wives, tend to stop looking after themselves in favo
Nina Ricci Alagao – Now a mother of three boys
ur of their children, the husband and the house and even work. She believes, and I agree with her, that women owe it to themselves to maintain their physical attractiveness. It will make women feel good in the long run.
Nina has got it right!
2001 Zorayda Andam
Zorayda Andam
1st runner-up in Best in National Costume
Where is she now?
This brain and beauty is now practising law in Manila.
She was a cum laude at the University of the Philippines in Econimcs.
She then went back to UP and studied law.
Karen Agustin
Karen Agustin
Karen Agustin Ostrea is now a trained and certificated Global Image consultant with offices in Makati.
2003 Carla Balingit
Carla Gay Balingit
Carla Gay Balingit has continued to be in the public eye by being a model.
Maricar Manalaysay Balagtas
Maricar Manalaysay Balagtas
2004 Maricar Manalaysay Balagtas
Gionna Jimenez Cabrera
Gionna Jimenez Cabrera
Lia Andrea Ramos
Miss Photogenic
2007Anna Theresa Licaros
Anna Theresa Luy Licaros
This beauty has a good head on her shoulders. She graduated salutatorian at the University of the Philippines School of Law. She then quickly passed the Philippine Bar Examinations.
She loves exams so much that she put herself through another toughie one. She is one of only 9 who passed the Philippine Foreign Service Examinations in 2012.
Anna is now married and a mother to two. She is a bit of a traveler. She can also seen in some Filipino television shows.
Jennifer Tarol Barrientos
Jennifer Tarol Barrientos
Jennifer Tarol Barrientos was a graduate of BS Tourism from the University of Santo Tomas. She did not get a place on the final 15 of the Miss Universe pageant held in Vietnam.
2009 – Pamela Bianca Manalo
Pamela Bianca Manalo
Pamela Bianca Manalo, despite being drop-dead gorgeous, she was the last Filipina that did not get to the semi-finals of the Miss Universe pageant.
Pamela came from a beauty pageant background, her sister, Katherine Anne Manalo was Miss Philippines World candidate for 2002 and her Auntie Nini Ramos was Miss Philippines International 1968.
Before entering beauty pageants, Pamela was employed as a flight stewardess for Philippine Airline. Nowadays, she can be found in showbusiness and modeling.
2010 Maria Venus Raj
Venus Raj
Venus Raj
4th Runner-Up
Venus answer to Q&A has become rather famous:
Raj was asked by American actor William Baldwin the one biggest mistake that she made in her life and what she did to make it right.
She replied: “You know what, sir, in my 22 years of existence I can say that there’s nothing major, major problem that I’ve done in my life because I’m very confident with my family, with the love that they are giving to me. So thank you so much that I’m here. Thank you, thank you so much!” she said.
3rd Runner-Up
Shamcey Supsup is not only a beauty but a certified brain as well. She graduated Magna Cum Laude at the prestigious University of the Philippines with a degree in Architecture. She then did not let the beauty pageant interfere with her personal life as she topped the architecture board exam of 2011 with the score of 86.60. Yes Shampsey is the real thing, brain and beauty.What we need now is for her to apply what she studied. She should try to push through a plan for housing for the poor of Metro Manila to start with.
Shampcey, don’t let your architectural background slide down into the background. Make it the forefront of what you are. You have a chance to do something for your country. TV and films are good but look at what you can do for your country!
Latest on Shamcey. She is to marry her fiance, Lloyd Lee sometime in December 2013
Lloyd Lee & Shamcey Photo taken during their engagement party
Shamcey and Lloyd have been blessed with a baby girl, Nyke.
Aside from being a restaurateur, she also works hosting tv lifestyle shows.
2012 Janine Marie Tugonon
Janine Tugonon
1st Runner-Up
Janine Tugonon is the real deal. She is brain and beauty. She graduated from the University of Santo Tomas with cum laude honours in Pharmacy. She became a licensed pharmacist in 2010.
Where is she now? She skididadelled it to the USA to break into modelling! Huh? Is this the “I want to be an inspiration to women”?
I don’t blame her, Mercury Drug Store is too limited for the catwalks of Milan, Paris, London and New York! 🙂
Update: Janine Tugonon is now a professional catwalk model. She modelled during NYFW (New York Fashion Week). She is now also involved with Victoria’s Secret. She was also one of the 12 models for a NU MUSE, specialising in arty nude photography! She has that beautiful body, it would be a disservice not to flaunt it for the sake of menkind! LOL
2013 Ariella Arida
Ariella Arida2013 Ariella Arida
Ariella Arida was in the top 5.
She was 3rd Runner -Up.
Miss Universe title was won by Miss Venezuela. Well done Ariella, you did your country proud.
Ariella is a graduate of the University of the Philippines, Los Banos, majoring in Chemistry.
However, she is now a fashion model and doing some television hosting. What happened to the Chemistry?
Mary Jean Lastimosa
Mary Jean Lastimosa is a veteran of the Beauty pageant circuit of the Philippines. She first joined in 2011, where she was named the second runner up. She joined again in 2012 where she placed as one of the top 12.
At 26, this is the third time (lucky!) she has joined the Bb Pilipinas beauty contest. She is very pretty, hope she wins the Miss Universe title for the Philippines.
Update: bad luck to MJ Lastimosa. The Miss Universe crown continues to be just out of reach to Filipina beauties. But goodness, MJ should be proud of herself for having been picked to make up the top 10 semi-finalist amongst 88 of the most beautiful girls in the world or presumptuously, the universe. 😉 lol
Apparently MJ has a bright future ahead of her. She is an entrepreneur, she owns her own business, a fitness/spa centre, which is located in Davao City. This beauty is a graduate of Computer Engineering.
2015
Pia Wurtzbach
Miss Universe 2015
Pia Wurtzbach
Pia was born in Stuttgart, Germany to a German father and a Filipina mother, who hails from Cagayan de oro City.
Pia is determined if anything else. This is her third time to compete in the Binibining Pilipinas pageant, third time lucky.
Pia is already in the midst of a mild controversy having been revealed as a dining companion to PNoy, even before winning the Bb Pilipinas title.
Pia is very pretty but I feel that she does not have that special prettiness of what an ideal Filipina winner should have. Gloria Diaz, had it, Melanie Marquez had it, Megan Young had it. They all look like Filipinas or Asian.
The thing with international beauty contest is that they prefer a certain look that promotes a candidate’s particular country. They don’t want a westernised face for an Asian, African or Middle Eastern beauty, after all majority of the candidates are beautiful white women. For Pia to win, she needs to stand out looking like a beautiful Asian!
21 Dec 2015 – Update
Yipee another Miss Universe winner from the Philippines. I was wrong, sorry! 🙂 Pia, I have to admit, looked very Asian, a Filipina Asian. She won the pageant under a very anti-climactic event which was embarrassing for Miss Colombia and must be stressful for Pia as well.
More updates:
Pia notched more plaudits lately; apparently, she is now the most followed Miss Universe in history; rather unfair to the older ones as there were no access to the internet for a long, long time 😉 lol
Pia’s reign as Miss Universe is one of controversy after another. It started of course with her winning the title which she had to almost forcibly prise out from Miss Colombia and earned her jealous comments from the other contestants. She then bagged Dr. Mike, the so-called handsomest Dr in the internet, (???) after twitters and Instagram of them looking like bananas in pajamas, they send shockwaves to Filipino people of their overtly sexual antics.
Before Filipinos can calm down, Pia has moved on to a Fil-Swiss F1 driver, Martin Stockinger, who is also a father of twin girls from an ex.
Pia certainly changed the ethos and notion of Miss Universe, at least amongst Filipinos. Gone are days of regal and rather aloof reign intent only to do charitable works. 🙂
After her reign as Ms U, Pia will continue as a rep for the Miss Universe org.
24 May 2019
Pia had met her official doppelganger at Madame Tussauds – Hong Kong branch. She is the first Filipino to be cast in wax by the iconic Madama Tussauds.
Maxine Medina
2016
Maxine Medina
A new Miss Universe representative from the Philippines has been duly crowned by none other than the incumbent Miss Universe herself, Pia Wurztbach, our own Miss Philippines.
Will Maxine be as lucky as Pia? We just have to wait and see. Maxine will need a lot of practice, make-over and tutorial in handling Q&A.
Update 30 Jan 2017:
Miss Universe 2016 was held in the Philippines on 30 January 2017.
Strangely enough, Maxine needed an interpreter during the Q&A. Why???
Bear in mind that 92.58% of the Philippine population can speak/understand English!
Anyway Maxine placed on the top 6. The crown was ultimately won by Miss France.
Lesson learnt from this latest Miss Universe contest is that beauty makeover is as important as enriching the mind. It should be beauty and brain not beauty vs brain.
2017 Rachel Peters
Rachel Peters, (25) a Filipino Brit in lineage, has been crowned as 2017 Miss Universe Philippine rep, chosen from 39 beauties. She is quite tall at 5’9″.
Rachel Peters apparently is an experienced event organiser, having worked with Katy Perry and Christina Aguilera, amongst others. She was apparently quite handy with saws and hammers as well, having helped renovate an apartment given to her and a younger brother.
Rachel is already taken. She is in a relationship with a young politician, Miguel Luis Villafuerte – the current governor of Camarinez Sur. Migz is apparently from a political dynasty, so prevalent amongst the moneyed elite of the Philippines. — oooppss this might be for another blog. LOL
Anyway congratulations, Rachel. Be sure to bring home the bacon. Cheers.
Update: Bad luck, Rachel failed in her mission to get the crown for the most beautiful woman in the universe at last night’s pageant night. Thank goodness to the nimble fingered clicking Filipinos around the world, who voted for Rachel en masse via social media apps, she reached the top 10
I was really optimistic of her chances after the back to back win from Karen Ibasco for Miss Earth 2017 and Wynwyn Marquez for the Miss HispanoAmericano 2017.
What went wrong?
Rachel Peters, (25) a Filipino Brit in lineage, has been crowned as 2017 Miss Universe Philippine rep, chosen from 39 beauties. She is quite tall at 5’9″.2018 Catriona Gray
This girl is rather familiar with the beauty pageant catwalk, having been a Miss Philippines candidate for the Miss World 2016 and ending up placing in the top 5.
Catriona is half Filipino, half Australian, born and raised in Australia. She moved to the Philippines after high school and started working as a model.
Catriona, by all account is quite an accomplished young lady. She sings, she has a master in Music Theory, she can defend herself as she has a black belt in taekwando. She can also be reliable as a companion in outdoor pursuits such as kayaking, caving, mountain climbing, etc as she has the official certificate for these and to top these skills, she won’t need an interpreter for the Q&A.
Catriona is currently in a relationship with a hunk, someone called Clint. 🙂
Best wishes, Cat!
Cat is the 4th Philippines’ Miss Universe winner. Congratulations!
