FUNFARE By Ricardo F. Lo
The Philippine Star
March 2, 2004
On Saturday, March 6, "live" from the Araneta Coliseum (as usual) and covered by GMA 7 (starting at 9 p.m.), the 2004 Bb. Pilipinas Pageant will be held in, as usual, grand fashion to select the successors to reigning queens Carla Gay Balingit (Universe), Maria Rafaela Verdadero Yunon (World) and Jhezarie Gamez Javier (International).
The event, hosted by Ruffa Gutierrez (herself one-time Bb. Pilipinas-World), marks the search’s 41st anniversary. There’s a reason to celebrate because the Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc., headed by Madame Stella Marquez de Araneta (take a bow, please!), has produced two Misses Universe (Gloria Diaz and Margie Moran), two Misses International (Aurora Pijuan and Melanie Marquez), a few other international winners and dozens of runners-up and special awardees.
Here’s Funfare’s "other beauty expert" Celso de Guzman Caparas for a recap of how the Binibinis have fared through four decades:
• Louise Vail Aurelio, semi-finalist — Miss Universe 1965
• Maria Clarinda Garces Soriano, semi-finalist — Miss Universe 1966
• Nenita Tuazon Ramos, semi-finalist — Miss International 1968
• Gloria Maria Aspillera Diaz, Miss Universe 1969 and top 10 Best in Swimsuit
• Margaret Rose Orbe Montinola, semi-finalist — Miss International 1969
• Aurora Mc Kenny Pijuan, Miss International 1970
• Carmencita Hufana Avecilla, second runner-up — Miss Young International 1970
• Vida Valentina Fernandez Doria, Miss Photogenic — Miss Universe 1971
• Evelyn Santos Camus, second runner-up — Miss International 1971
• Maricar Sison Zaldariaga, semi-finalist and Miss Photogenic - Miss Young International 1971
• Milagros Dorado Gutierrez, third runner-up — Miss Charming International 1971
• Armi Barbara Quiray Crespo, semi-finalist — Miss Universe 1972
• Yolanda Adriatico Dominguez, second runner-up and Best National Costume — Miss International 1972
• Maria Lourdes Mauleon Vallejo, semi-finalist — Miss Young International 1972
• Maria Elena Suarez Ojeda, fourth runner-up, Miss International 1973
• Maria Nanette Macapagal Prodigalidad, first runner-up and Miss Photogenic, Maja Internacional 1973
• Maria Margarita Roxas Moran, Miss Universe 1973, Miss Photogenic and Best in Swimsuit
• Guadalupe Cuerva Sanchez, semi-finalist — Miss Universe 1974
• Pacita Eduarda Abrera Guevarra, third runner-up — Maja Internacional 1974
• Rosemarie Singson Brosas, fourth runner-up — Miss Universe 1975
• Jaye Antonio Murphy, semi-finalist — Miss International 1975
• Annette Liwanag, fourth runner-up — Maja Internacional 1975
• Jean Cuala Saburit, Miss Yukata (Best in Summer Kimono) — Miss Young International 1975
• Maria Dolorez Suarez Ascalon, semi-finalist and Best National Costume — Miss International 1976
• Dorothy Sue Sulce Bradley, first runner-up — Miss Young International 1977
• Mimilanie Laurel Marquez, Miss International 1979, Miss Elegance and Best National Costume
• Princess Ava Quibranza, Best National Costume — Maja Internacional 1979
• Maria Rosario Rivera Silayan, third runner-up — Miss Universe 1980
• Maria Felicidad Luis, fourth runner-up — Miss Young International 1980
• Dianne Jeanne Christine Alegarme Chiong, semi-finalist — Miss International 1980
• Maria Asuncion Spirig, semi-finalist and Best National Costume — Maja Internacional 1980
• Alice Fernandez Sacasas, semi-finalist — Miss International 1981
• Joyce Ann Fellosas Burton, semi-finalist — Miss Young International 1981
• Josephine Relucio Bautista, semi-finalist, Miss Popular and Best National Costume — Maja Internacional 1981
• Shalimar Orcullo Alcantara, semi-finalist — Miss Young International 1983
• Maria Anna Cadiz, semi-finalist and Best National Costume, Maja Internacional 1983
• Maria Desiree Erese Verdadero, third runner-up — Miss Universe 1984
• Jane Destura Brumitt, semi-finalist — Maja Internacional 1984
• Maria Luisa de Asis Gonzales, second runner-up and Best National Costume — Maja Internacional 1985
• Jessie Alice Salones Dixson, semi-finalist — Miss International 1986
• Maria Cristina Ramos Recto, Miss Talent and Best National Costume — Maja Internacional 1986
• Geraldine Edith Villaruz Asis, semi-finalist— Miss Universe 1987
• Maria Luisa S. Jimenez, semi-finalist — Maja Internacional 1987
• Maria Muriel Oleriana Moral, Best National Costume — Maja Internacional 1988
• Lilia Eloisa Marfori Andanar, Miss Friendship — Miss International 1989
• Jeanne Therese Plata Hilario, second runner-up — Maja Internacional 1989
• Selina Atanacio Manalad, Miss Sympathy — Maja Internacional 1991
• Sharmaine Ruffa Rama Gutierrez, second runner-up and Continental Queen of Beauty for Asia - Miss World 1993
• Charlene Mae Gonzales Bonnin, finalist and Best National Costume — Miss Universe 1994
• Alma Carvajal Concepcion, semi-finalist and Miss Friendship — Miss International 1994
• Gladys Andre Dinsay Duenas, semi-finalist — Miss International 1995
• Tiffany Sayson Cuna, semi-finalist — Maja Internacional 1995
• Aileen Marfori Damiles, Miss Photogenic — Miss Universe 1996
• Yedda Marie Mendoza Kittilstvedt, semi-finalist — Miss International 1996
• Abbygale Williamson Arenas, Miss Photogenic — Miss Universe 1997
• Susan Jane Juan Ritter, semi-finalist — Miss International 1997
• Joanne Zapanta Santos, Miss Tourism International 1997
• Collete Centeno Glazer, semi-finalist — Miss International 1998
• Miriam Redito Quiambao, first runner-up and Clairol Herbal Essence Award — Miss Universe 1999
• Rachel Muyot Soriano, second runner-up, Best in Long Gown and National Costume — Miss Tourism World 2000
• Zorayda Ruth Andam, second place Best National Costume — Miss Universe 2000
• Michelle Cueva Reyes, Anatolia Miss Tourism International 2001, Miss Anatolia and Best National Costume
• Maricar Manalaysay Balagtas, Miss Globe International 2001
• Zorayda Ruth Andam, semi-finalist and Miss Tourism World for Asia - Miss Tourism World 2001
• Joanna Maria Penalosa, Face of the Net — Miss Internet WWW 2001
• Michelle Cueva Reyes, Miss Tourism World 2002, Model of the Universe for Asia, Miss Armada
• Kristine Reyes Alzar, Miss Tourism International Ukraine Black Sea 2002 and Best National Costume
• Katherine Anne Ramos Manalo, finalist — Miss World 2002
• Karen Loren Medrano Agustin, fifth runner-up and Best in Swimsuit — Miss Globe International 2002
• Maria Rafaela Verdadero Yunon, finalist, top 10 Beach Beauty Award and top 10 People’s Choice Award — Miss World 2003
• Noela Mae Buhion Evangelista, Queen of Tourism International 2003, Queen of Continental Asia, Miss Elegance and Best National Costume.
