3 Pinay Supermodels on MEGA Magazine's June 2011 Issue

3 Pinay Supermodels: Charo Ronquillo, Danica Magpantay & Chat Almarvez

PINAY SUPERMODELS: Sharon "Charo" Ronquillo (2nd runner-up, FORD Models Supermodel of the World 2006), Charlene "Chat" Almarvez (1st runner-up, FORD Models Supermodel of the World 2010) & Danica Flores Magpantay (FORD Models Supermodel of the World 2011) graces MEGA Magazine's June 2011 Issue.

Reminiscing Miriam Quiambao at Miss Universe 1999

On this very day, exactly 12 years ago, Bb. Pilipinas Universe 1999 Miriam Redito Quiambao finished as 1st runner-up at the 1999 Miss Universe Pageant in Trinidad & Tobago. The winner was Mpule Kwelgobe of Botswana.

Here are some of Miriam's photos during the Pageant:

L-R: Miriam Quiambao (Philippines, 1st runner-up), Mpule Kwelagobe (Botswana, Miss Universe 1999) & Diana Nogueira (Spain, 2nd runner-up)

The 1st Bb. Pilipinas Pageant (1964)

FUNFARE By Ricardo F. Lo
The Philippine Star
01/26/2005

From left to right: Elvira Gonzales (Second Runner up, mother of Charlene Gonzales), Myrna Panlilio (Bb. Pilipinas Universe 1964) and Milagros Cataag (First Runner Up)

On July 5, 1964 at 8 p.m., the maiden edition of the Binibining Pilipinas pageant was staged at the Araneta Coliseum. The event was scheduled July 3 but was postponed due to Typhoon Dading that battered Central Luzon including Manila and its suburbs earlier that week.

Out of 28 aspirants, only 15 were chosen as official candidates. They were Marilou Alberto, Lilia Alvarez, Milagros Cataag, Marita Dimayuga, Aida Gaerlan, Elvira Gonzalez, Elizabeth Gutierrez, Edna Rosanna Keyes, Carmelita Larrabaster, Sonia Orendain, Maria Myrna Panlilio, Thelma Shaw, Chiqui Somes, Milagros Sumayao and Josefina Zaldua.

The pageant opened with the introduction of the finalists followed by their appearance in cocktail dresses. Then, wearing elegant ternos, they delivered short speeches. Finally, they paraded in identical playsuits (less-revealing swimsuits).

Lalaine Benett, Miss Philippines and Miss Universe 1963 third runner-up, announced the winners. Milagros Cataag was adjudged Bb. Waling-waling and Elvira Gonzalez as Bb. Ilang-ilang. Myrna Panlilio was declared the first Bb. Pilipinas.

Myrna Panlilio, Bb. Pilipinas 1964 -- The 1st Bb. Pilipinas winner

Then 21 years old and an AB major in Foreign Service graduate of Maryknoll College, Panlilio was a Merchants Bank teller. She won P2,000 cash, Regal sewing machine, a year’s supply of Helene Curtis beauty products, a complete wardrobe from Philippine Couturiers Association, a golden trophy from the Lions Club and free trip to Miami, Florida, USA.

The panel of judges was composed of Aurora Recto, Elvira Manahan, Jake Romero, Ramon Tapales and Romeo Gustilo. Entertainers were Pilita Corrales, Alice Reyes Dance Group, Vic Soledad, The Filipinas Quartet and balancing expert Walter Lavarr.

Two nights before the Bb. Pilipinas finals, Panlilio was among the 15 candidates of Maid of Cotton 1964 (won by Bettina Herrero) held at the Philam Life Auditorium on July 3.

Alberto, Gonzalez, Larrabaster and Somes joined the Philippines’ Fairest Ten for 1964 search held at the Philam Life Auditorium on July 4. Only Gonzalez made it to the final 10.

Gonzalez (mother of Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 1994 Charlene Mae Gonzalez and Richard Bonnin) and Sumayao (a.k.a. Mila Ocampo, mother of Snooky Serna) were Miss Philippine Press Photography winners.

Chiqui Somes appeared in Hangga’t May Hininga (1964) with Eddie Mesa and Ronald Remy. Mila Ocampo did Takdang Sandali (1965) with Gloria Sevilla, Amado Cortez and Von Serna. Elvie Gonzalez was featured in Dugay Na Sa Maynila, Tonto Ka Pa (1968) with Anita Linda, Gina Laforteza and Max Alvarado.


*** SPECIAL THANKS TO: Ricardo "Ricky" F. Lo & Celso Caparas

Thomasian Beauty Queens: Epitome of ageless splendor

By Erika Denise L. Dizon of THE VARSITARIAN

CHEERS were loud from a stream of yellow at the Araneta Coliseum last April 10 as four Thomasian beauties took centerstage to compete in the much-coveted Binibining Pilipinas, all for a chance to represent the country on the world pageant stage.

By the end of the night, former Miss Thomasian Personality Janine Marie Tugonon was named first runner-up out of 40 candidates. Aside from Tugonon, a licensed pharmacist who graduated cum laude from the University in 2010, Psychology alumna and Ford Supermodel of the World finalist Kristina Marasigan made the cut in the top 15. Also among the contenders were Pharmacy alumna Carla Lacson and UST swimmer Bernadette Aguirre.

Janine Tugonon: From UST to Binibini

But this scenario is no longer new to the Thomasian crowd, given the long list of beauty queens that UST has produced in the past 59 years.

UST alumnus and beauty pageant expert Felix Manuel listed 37 Thomasians who had been part of different beauty pageants, including a winner and three semi-finalists in Miss International, a first runner-up each in Miss Universe and Miss World, two first runner-up finishers in Miss Asia Pacific, and a second runner-up in Miss Maja International.

Indeed, the University holds its promise true and has kept its valiant legions in unending grace and beauty.

Thomasians in the ‘Universe’

Trailblazing this string of beauty titles was Teresita Torralba Sanchez, a Medicine student who competed in the first Miss Universe pageant in 1952 after winning Miss Philippines-Universe in the same year.

Teresita Torralba Sanchez

Teresita was immediately dubbed as a “dark horse” in the contest for her golden-brown complexion. Although she did not win any title, she is best remembered not only as the country’s first representative to the prestigious beauty pageant, but as the first Filipino beauty queen to appear in a bathing suit. There were no swimsuit competitions in any of the pageants in the Philippines at that time.

Since Sanchez’ moment on the Miss Universe stage, the Philippines continued sending representatives to the premier pageant. Among the 15 Filipinos who made it in the semi-finals, eight came from Asia’s oldest university.

The first of these Thomasians was Blesilda “Bessie” Mueller Ocampo, an Architecture alumna, who was named one of the top 16 in the 1954 pageant.

Blesilda “Bessie” Mueller Ocampo

Four decades and two Miss Universe titles later, the Philippines would host the pageant for the second time, with Psychology major Charlene Bonnin Gonzales as its representative.

Charlene Bonnin Gonzales

The fair-skinned beauty won the crowd over after she wittingly replied “High tide or low tide?” when the host asked “How many islands are there in the Philippines?” She ended up in the top six of the 1994 pageant, and was also named Best in National Costume with her gold-and-brown ethnic ensemble.

Soon after, she would leave her aspirations of becoming a doctor to join show business. She is now known as a television host and the wife of actor Aga Muhlach. She is also one of the faces of the QuattroMondial, a bronze and glass statue made for the University’s 400th foundation year.

But the biggest break of recent years would come five after Gonzales’ reign—a first runner-up win—also courtesy of a Thomasian named Miriam Quiambao.

Miriam Quiambao

Like Gonzales, this Physical Therapy alumna found a way to the audiences’ hearts, but she did this by slipping on her long blue maya dress during the evening gown competition prior to the grand coronation night.

“I believe that [when I stood up on stage after tripping off on stage], I became a symbol of strength for all the women who had fallen [on and off stage],” she said during the second interview segment that secured her place in the top three of the 1999 pageant. “And that, by my example, I hope I’ve become an inspiration to the rest of the women in the world.”

International beauties

The Philippines has yet to grab any Miss World title, but UST Fine Arts alumna Evangeline Pascual stood so close to the throne after a series of events that led to the dethronement of the original queen.

Evangeline Pascual (second from right)

Pascual, who later made a name in show business, was almost crowned Miss World after American Marjorie Wallace was found to be dating several famous personalities, a moral issue that caused her disqualification. But the 1973 first runner-up declined to accept the title because of other commitments, and Wallace reclaimed her throne.

Thomasians also stood high and smiling on the Miss International stage, placing several times in the finals of the pageant.

Local actresses Alice Dixson and Alma Concepcion came to popularity through this competition in 1986 and 1994, respectively.

Dixson, who studied at the Faculty of Arts and Letters, was one of the semi-finalists in the 1986 competition held in Nagasaki, Japan. Much like most beauty title holders, she joined the entertainment industry and was named Best Actress in the 1998 Metro Manila Film Festival.

Concepcion, a Tourism alumna, also competed in Japan—this time in Tokyo—after her Binibining Pilipinas win in 1994 alongside Gonzales. She made it to the top ten of Miss International and took home the Miss Friendship award.

Precious Lara Quigaman, who studied in UST for two years, would come to Tokyo 11 years later, bringing home the country’s fourth Miss International title.

Tigers’ strong support

Like Quigaman, who was a freshman when she competed in Binibining Pilipinas, Angela Lauren Fernando also had to balance her life as a student and as a beauty queen.

Angela Lauren Fernando

Fernando is hoping to make her own mark in the long list of Thomasian beauty titlists, having bagged the Miss Philippines Eco-Tourism crown last year.

“There was really a big responsibility for my part because you’re no longer seen as an ordinary student,” said the secretary of the Student Organizations Coordination Council for Academic Year 2009-2010.

A confessed “ugly duckling” during her high school days, Angela started her pageant career when she won the title of Miss Medical Technology in 2007. She eventually bagged the crown of Miss Thomasian Personality the following year.

“I was shocked. I didn’t expect to win. I think I was the youngest among the girls [who joined],” said Fernando.

Fernando told the Varsitarian that the edge of any Thomasian beauty queen is the flood of support that she gets, admitting that she joined Miss Philippines-Earth upon the coaxing of her friends and classmates.
“Basing from experience, [I had] a very strong support system, especially from the people I know [within the University],” she said.

Pura Garcia Villanueva: The 1st Carnival Queen

by wilsonboy (from missosology)


1908 Queen of the Orient: Pura Garcia Villanueva (Pura Villanueva Kalaw) of Molo, Iloilo at her coronation. A Filipino-Spanish mestiza, Pura was known for her literary works in Spanish before she was invited to participate in the carnival queen quest.

Pura Villanueva was already acclaimed as a ‘beauty with brains’ even before she became a Carnival candidate. In her hometown, Molo in Iloilo, she had established herself as a Spanish writer of repute for El Tiempo, a leading newspaper. Here, she contributed literary articles and insightful essays, mostly on feminine issues. She was also the founder of the Asociacion Femenista Ilonga, a woman’s group. When the first Carnival needed a queen, Carnival officials immediately enlisted her.

HER ROYAL VESTMENTS. As she appeared in her official portrait sitting, dressed in a "panuelo-less" costume designed and executed by her Spanish mother, Emilia Garcia. She holds Japanese fan to symbolize her queenship of the Orient.

Pura was born on 27 August 1886 to lawyer Emilio Villanueva and Emilia Garcia—a Spanish girl from Palencia. Emilio had met the 15 year old girl while a student of the University of Salamanca, freely associating with expatriated Filipinos like Graciano Lopez Jaena, Marcelo H. Del Pilar and Jose Rizal. The couple went back to the Philippines to start and raise a family. They were to have two daughters, the elder Maria and Pura, or Purita.

As a youngster, Pura enrolled at the local school for girls founded by Maestra Vitang and then went became an intern at the Sta. Catalina College in Manila. Purita stood out with not only because she was amestizada, fair and tall, but also because she had a strong personality, never timid or modest , was the manner of ladies then. By the time she was 18, she was the toast of Iloilo’s social set, known for her incisive write-ups as a social reporter for the local daily.

CROWNED FOR THE CARNAVAL. Another picture of Pura resplendent in her coronation attire. From the book, "LEGACY, Pura Villanueva Kalaw: Her Times, Life and Works 1886-1954, by Maria Kalaw Katigbak. Publisher: Filipinas Foundation, Inc. (c) 1983.

Her elevation to the Queenship was fraught with complications, as discussed earlier, but when Pura finally made up her mind to accept the offer of taking over the vacated throne, she did so with a firm commitment . “I am very happy that I have been chosen Queen of the Orient”, she said when asked for a message to the people of Manila. “I shall try to perform my duties in a way that shall please everyone”.

DAMAS Y CABALLEROS. Pura's court of honor included a dozen or so ladies and swains of prominence who accompanied her at her official functions. She was escorted by King of the Orient Manuel Gomez, an executive of La Germinal Cigar Factory who was dressed as a maharajah.

Fetched from Iloilo on a special boat, Pura reigned over the Carnival together with the Queen of the Occident, Marjorie Colton. Her King Consort was Manuel Gomez, an executive from La Germinal. (Mauro Prieto, Tomas del Rosario were previous choices). Queen Pura’s maids of honor were Fe Escurdia, Luz Hugo, Esperanza Poblete, Cirila Legarda, Rosario Gomez, Carmen Gonzales, Antonia Fuster, Luisa Hernandez, Elisa and Purificacion Tempongko, Ramona and Rosa Ponce de Leon. Their courtiers were Feliciano Basa Jr., Emilio Veloso, Juan Zalvidea, Clodualdo Tempongko and Emilio Mapua.

COVER GIRL. Queen Pura, on the cover of a popular local newspaper, Lipang Kalabaw. The papers had a heyday reporting the on-goings of the Carnival.

It was reported that the Queen of the Orient “will be dressed in a red mestiza dress of native material, with veil and crown, and decorations of natural flowers”. Instead, for her coronation, Pura wore a native costume made by her own mother—minus the panuelo. It was made of piña cloth and fine sinamay gauze, then hand embroidered. Instead of an ostrich feather fan, she held a Japanese fan to highlight her sovereignty over the Orient.

Pura created quite a sensation when she arrived at the grandstand. An eyewitness report published on El Renacimiento enthused: “The Queen of the Orient, standing up in her car, and waving her handkerchief in answer to the enthusiastic cries of the crowd delirious with joy, was easily the most simpatico figure of the royal cavalcade. Dignified without descending from her rank..she had in her the beautiful amalgam mixture of the aristocratic and of the affectionate towards her people”.

Alongside the august King of the Orient who was arrayed as an Indian Maharajah in blue velvet, Pura, the Queen of the Orient “carried the recopilacion of all Oriental dresses, luxuriously costumed, beautiful and resplendent in her dignity..”

A ROYAL GATHERING. The King and Queens of the Orient with their corte de honor.

With her retinue, she must have been a sight to behold. Newspaper coverages of the Carnival recorded the atmosphere upon her entrance: “ The people were delirious with joy, shouting, “Mabuhay!. Ceaseless clappings, specially for the Queen of the Orient, a fresh flower of the Filipino plant, She was standing up and happily greeting the joyful people. Dressed beautiful and maringal, because she was dressed in the native dress, “bagay sa kahinhinan ng maysuot!’ Most becoming the wearer. Wherever she want, she received acclaim. Everyone admired her beauty, and, to the last minute of her passage down the field, there was endless clapping of hands..”.

Pura turned out to be a perfect Queen for Manila’s first carnival, holding her own against her co-royal. Indeed, as the Carnival came to an end, her newspaper, El Tiempo, concluded: “She was a real enchanting Queen. If she can occupy the throne of the Carnival, she can also that of a nation. Because of her simpatico aspect, she takes with her the love and affection of all her subjects..”

ROYAL FLOAT AT THE LUNETA. One of the floats bearing the 1908 royalties of the Manila Carnival wends its way around Wallace Field as an adoring audience waved, clapped and shouted, "Mabuhay!"

With the Carnival now behind her, Pura continued on with her social activities. Friendship had grown between her and El Renacimiento editor Teodoro Kalaw of Batangas after their first meeting at a 1907 event at the Centro Escolar de Senoritas. Pura had been an invited lecturer there, and Teodoro found himself smitten by the Ilongga beauty. But the Manila Carnival had intervened before anything could happen. However, his courtship resumed and two years after, on 6 May 1910, Pura Villanueva and Teodoro Kalaw were wed in simple rites at the Molo Church.

After their wedding, the two moved to Lipa, hometown of Teodoro, and finally to Manila, where they settled to raise their fine family: Maria (herself, a Carnival Queen in 1931 and a future Senator), Teodoro Jr. (husband of senator Eva Estrada), Purita (Mrs. Rafael Ledesma) and Evelina (Mrs. Aaron Pines).

STILL QUEEN OF THE HOUSE. Pura, in her later years, with husband, Teodoro Kalaw and 4 children: Maria (future Carnival Queen of 1931), Teodoro Jr., Purita and Evelina.

Pura turned out to be a supportive wife to Teodoro in his multi-facetted career as a journalist and as a government executive (Secretary of Interior, Director of National Library, Chairman of the Commission on Philippine Independence.) With her real estate investments, she also established a successful business on her own. Pura’s advocacies too, are legendary. She engaged in many socio-civic activities, founded a school, became a woman’s suffrage champion and earned a Presidential Award of Merit from Pres. Elpidio Quirino in 1951.

The most accomplished woman ever to emerge from the Manila Carnivals—“pioneer for women’s political and property rights, writer, beauty queen, businesswoman, exemplary wife and mother”--passed away on 21 March 1954, aged 67.


*** CREDITS TO: wilsonboy (from missosology), Alex Castro, Manila Carnivals 1908-1939 A Pictorial History of the "Greatest Annual Event in the Orient"
 

Miss Philippines Earth 2011 Top 10 Revealed!

After numerous elimination rounds, the Miss Philippines Earth Pageant finally revealed the Top 10 candidates that will vie for this years Miss Philippines Earth crown.

The winner will represent the Philippines at the Miss Earth 2011 Pageant that will be held in Thailand.

The grand coronation night is on June 5 at Tthe Puerto Princesa City Coliseum, Palawan and will be telecast on ABS-CBN at 10pm.
 
Here are the Top 10 candidates:

PAGADIAN CITY - Ma. Alicia Elena Ariosa

CEBU CITY - Muriel Adrienne Orais

COTABATO CITY - Edan Dafilmoto

FIL. EAST COAST U.S.A - Brenna Cassandra Gamboa

LAS PINAS CITY - Michelle Gavagan

MAKATI CITY - Tarhata Clio Shari Rico

GENERAL SANTOS CITY - Catrine Rosary Ocampo

MUN. OF CASIGURAN, AURORA - Athena Mae Imperial

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY - Jonavi Raisa Quiray

MUN. OF MALOLOS, BULACAN - Mary Denisse Toribio

*** photos courtesy of Miss Philippines Earth (Carousel Productions)

Ex-PBB housemate Riza Santos is MISS WORLD CANADA 2011!

Filipino-Canadian and former Pinoy Big Brother Housemate Riza Raquel Santos won as Miss World Canada 2011 last May 19 at River Rock Show Theatre, Richmond, BC. She will represent Canada at the 2011 Miss World pageant in London.

Prior to winning the Miss World Canada 2011 title, Riza represented Canada at the 2006 Miss Earth pageant held in Manila.

In 2007, Riza joined the reality show Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition Season 2 as one of the celebrity housemates.

*** photos courtesy of andrew chin.

Former PBB Housmate Riza Santos competes at Miss World Canada 2011

Filipino-Canadian and former Pinoy Big Brother Housemate Riza Raquel Santos is one of the candidates at the Miss World Canada 2011 Pageant. The coronation night is on May 19 at the River Rock Show Theatre.

The winner will represent Canada at the 2011 Miss World Pageant in London.

A former Miss Earth-Canada titleholder, Riza competed at the 2006 Miss Earth Pageant held in Manila.

In 2007, Riza joined the reality show Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition Season 2 as one of the celebrity housemates.