Miriam Quiambao's Fate at Miss Universe

Almost but not quite – but good enough just the same.

Miriam Quiambao’s winning as 1st runner up in the 1999 Miss Universe Pageant (with Miss Botswana as the winner and Miss Spain as 2nd runner up) is the closest a Filipina ever got to again bagging the title since 1973 (26 years ago) when Margie Moran brought home the bacon, so to speak, for the second time (from Greece where the Miss Universe was held that year), only four years after Gloria Diaz (the first Filipina Miss Universe) got it in Miami Beach, Florida, in 1969. Everybody thought Miriam was “it” until the final Q&A (the decisive portion when the judges are supposed to rank the top three finalists) when the seemingly simple but actually very tricky question was popped at each of the contenders (the two others have their ears covered while one of them is answering the question): If Miss Universe were to become pregnant during her reign, should she be allowed to continue as Miss Universe?
Although poised and smiling, Miriam hesitated a bit when she answered and, everybody is convinced that did her in.

Let’s compare and contrast the three finalists’ answers:

Miss Spain (Diana Nogueira, through an interpreter): “I don’t see why not because her head will still be the same. The only difference is that she will be bringing someone into the world. The only thing is if it were to in some way keep her from her travel, well..”

Miss Philippines: “It’s a very difficult situation to be in and, ah, I believe that if Miss Universe, if ever she becomes pregnant, I believe that she should continue with her reign if she has been a good example to be a Miss Universe, if she has pursued all the… all the goals that she has, that she had in the first place, and I believe that she should continue.” (A bit circuitous, isn’t it?)

Miss Botswana (Mpule Kwelagobe): “Personally, I think that Miss Universe is a symbol of a woman celebrating her femininity and I believe that if she becomes pregnant a woman can anyway interrupt her duty. I believe that as a woman she can celebrate her femininity.”
(Was that question coined as a subtle reference to a contestant who quit because of suspected pregnancy?) Miriam reluctant answer prompted one of the two anchorwomen, former Miss USA contestant Julia Moran to biatch, “She co amped up; it’s a pity. It’s a shame. She definitely choked!”

But the other anchorwoman, Miss USA 1996, Ali Landry, earlier praised Miriam for her answer in the preliminary Q&A portion. Question from host Jack Wagner (of Melrose Place); One of your proudest achievements was standing up to one of your professors back in college. Now, what did you stand up for recently?

Miriam’s answer “Oh, when I fell on the stage last Friday (during the pre-pageant night;)(laughing), I believe that I have stood up for the rest of the women who have fallen whether on or off stage. I believe that through this example of mine I have shown courage and strength of being a woman, of being who I am, and I hope to be a good example to the rest of the women in the world. Thank you.”
She got a thunderous applause from the audience and nice words from Ali Landry, “She has a lot of class, a lot of poise actually, I loved her from the beginning, “ adding with as some Filipinos perceived it, a hint of sarcasm, “I should say that she’s working on her having fallen from the stage… I’m afraid that next year, everybody may be falling watch.”

That fall turned into an advantage instead of disadvantage for Miriam because she showed poise and grace and presence of mind when she stood up and spread her arms with a huge smile on her face, drawing heartfelt applause from the audience who gave her a standing ovation. In that sense, Miriam literally “tripped” her way into the Magic 3, just a breath away from the coveted title.

Since the magnate Trumpo entered the picture and takeover the beauty pageant, no Filipina ever landed as a semifinalist in the pageant no matter how fierce and competitive the ladies were because his reason is purely business and he can’t allow a country to be recognized if he has no business interest with that country. Miriam Quiambao also turned down the offer of representing the country for Miss World 1999 because she believes that the pageant is only for nannies and grannies. Funny but true.

Philippines 58 Years With Miss Universe Pageant

Fifty years ago, an 18-year-old blonde, blue-eyed lass from Muhos, Finland, named Armi Helena Kyre Kuusela became the first Miss Universe (19520 at the Long Beach Municipal Auditorium, Long Beach, California. She bested 29 other international beauties, including our very own Miss Philippines Teresita Torralba Sanchez, a 20-year old UST medical student from Bulacan. The first batch of Miss Universe semifinalists in 1952 were Miss Finland Armi Kuusela, Miss Germany Renata Hoy, Miss Greece Daisy Mavraki, Miss Hawaii Elsa Edsman, Miss Hong Kong Judy Dan, Miss Mexico Olga Perez Castillo, Miss South Africa Catherine Higgine, Miss Sweden Ana Maria Destler, Miss USA Jackie Loughery (from New York) and Miss Uruguay Gladys Rubio. The results were 4th runner up Germany, 3rd runner up Hong Kong, 2nd runner up Greece, 1st runner up Hawaii and Miss Universe Finland.
In 1953, Armi was invited to the Philippines as a special guest of the Philippine International Fair in Manila. She met a dashing Filipino bachelor named Virgilio “Gil” Hilario, a 25- year old Columbia University graduate and an assistant accountant at the New York office of the Philippine National Bank. Armi did not finish her reign because after a whirlwind romance she married Gil. She remained as Miss Universe of 1952.
In 1954, Maria Candida Blesilda Mueler Ocampo, a UST architecture freshman, was the first Filipina to land among the 15 semi-finalists. She was in London as part of her prize for winning the Boys Town Miss Philippines contest when she was asked to represent the country in the 1954 Miss Universe beauty pageant.
A 5’9” tall starlet who measured an impressive 35-23-36, Lalaine “Bing-bing” Betia Bennett, a 19-year old American mestiza from Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, won third runner-up in the 1963 Miss Universe pageant.
In 1965, another American mestiza from Iloilo, Louise Aurelio Vail, competed in Miss Universe in Miami Beach, Florida. She joined Bb. Pilipinas contest and Miss Universe as Louise Vail Aurelio in an attempt to Filipinize her name. That year, another Asian woman was crowned as Miss Universe, Apasra Hungsakula of Thailand (the first Asian to win the crown, in 1959, was Akiko Kojima of Japan). Louie was a semi-finalist.
A nursing student from Barrio Aniban in Bacoor, Cavite, Maria Clarinda “Arlin” Garces Soriano, was named Bb. Pilipinas-Universe in 1966. The 20 year-old UE nursing student, who slightly resembled the First Lady, Imelda Romualdez Marcos, was a semifinalist in Miss Universe.
In 1969, the year man (Apollo 11) conquered the moon, an 18 year-old student and model from Paranaque, Rizal, Gloria Aspillera Diaz, conquered the Universe. The 5’5” tall Gloria, whose well-proportioned body of 34-24-34 was enhanced by the proper amount of sex appeal and quick wit finally captured the elusive Miss Universe crown for the Philippines. She was the third woman from Asia and the first for the Philippines to win the Miss Universe title. She wooed the judges by her impressive answer to the question “If the man from the moon will land in your hometown, what will you do to entertain him?” when she replied, “I would do the same things I do, I think when he has been in the moon for so long I think when he comes over he wants to change I guess.”
Before Martial Law was proclaimed in 1972, Armi Barbara Quiray Crespo was selected as one of the 12 semifinalists in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The following year (1973), Maria Margarita Roxas Moran, a 19-year old Business student at Maryknoll College (now known as Miriam College) bagged our second Miss Universe crown in an ancient open-air Herod Atticus theater in Athens, Greece. Margie is the granddaughter of the late President Manuel Roxas. Her outstanding Spanish-French-Filipina features also earned for her the Miss Photogenic title.
In 1974, the Miss Universe was held in Manila. Our candidate, Guadalupe “Guada” Cuerva Sanchez, a 17-year old I.S. student, was among the 12 semifinalists. Margie Moran, Miss Universe 1973 relinquished her crown to her successor, Amparo Munoz of Spain Miss Universe 1974.
Rosemarie “Chiqui” Singson Brosas, an 18-year old model, was our bet in the 1975 Miss Universe held in San Salvador, El Salvador. She won 4th runner up to Finland’s Anne Marie Pohtamo.
In 1980, Seoul, South Korea hosted the Miss Universe beauty pageant, the 2nd Asian country to do so. Ma. Rosario “Chat” Rivera Silayan, a 21-year old college graduate and mode, was our bet. Chat, the daughter of veteran movie actor, Vic Silayan, won 3rd runner up to Miss USA Shawn Nichols Weatherly.
Four years after, a 5’7” tall dusky model from Laguna, Ma. Desiree “Dess” Ereso Verdadero, a Bb. Pilipinas second timer (she was 1st runner up in 1982 to Ma. Isabel Lopez) won 3rd runner up in the 1984 Miss Universe held in Miami Beach, Florida.
In 1987, 5’9” tall Caucasian beauty Geraldine Edith “Peebles” Villaruz Asis was the top contender in Singapore where the 1987 Miss Universe was held. She was no. 6 in the rank.
In 1994, the Philippines hosted the Miss Universe Pageant for the second time. Our bet was Charlene Mae Gonzalez Bonnin, a 19-year old UST student and the daughter of action star Bernard “Palos” Bonnin and former beauty queen Elvira Pamintuan Gonzalez. She was among the six finalists and voted as Best in National Costume.
The last Bb. Pilipinas to finish as semifinalists was Miriam “Am” Quiambao, a 22-year old UST physical therapy graduate who tripped on the stage during the preliminary evening gown competition. She ended up 1st runner up and also bagged the Clairol Best Style Award.
Since Donald Trumpo takeover of Miss Universe, no Filipina has ever landed as a semifinalist because Trumpo soured the idea of a Filipina as a semifinalist since he has no business interest in the country. You can view our delegates from other international pageants with their pictures at www.veestarz.com...
Here’s the roster of Philippine bet to Miss Universe and how they fare:
1952 , Teresita Torralba Sanchez – none
1953, Cristina Monson Pacheco – none
1954, Maria Candida Blesilda Mueler Ocampo – semifinalist
1955, Yvonne Berenguer de los Reyes – none
1956, Edith Noble Nakpil – Withdrew
Isabel Escobar Rodriguez – none
1957, Mary Ann “Annie” Phillips Corrales – none
1958, Carmen “Chuchay” Tuason – Withdrew
1959, Cristina “Tinay” Matias – Withdrew
1960, No Candidate
1961, No Candidate
1962, Josephine Estrada Brown – none
1963, Lalaine Betia Bennett – 3rd runner up
1964, Maria Myrna Cecile Sese Panlilio – none
1965, Louise Aurelio Vail – semifinalist
1966, Maria Clarinda “Arlin” Garces Soriano – semifinalist
1967, Pilar Delilah Veloso Pilapil – none
1968, Charina Rosello Zaragoza – none
1969, Gloria Maria “Glory” Aspillera Diaz – Miss Universe (Best in Swimsuit)
1970, Simonette “Monette” Berenguer de los Reyes – none
1971, Vida Valentina Fernandez Doria – Miss Photogenic
1972, Armi Barbara Quiray Crespo – semifinalist
1973, Maria Margarita Roxas Moran – Miss Universe (Miss Photogenic)
1974, Guadalupe “Guada” Cuerva Sanchez – semifinalist
1975, Rosemarie “Chiqui” Singson Brosas – 4th runner up
1976, Lizbeth Samson de Padua – none
1977, Anna Lorraine Kier – none
1978, Jennifer “Jenny” Mitzchek Cortez – none
1979, Cresilda “Dang” Flores Cecilio – none
1980, Maria Rosario “Chat” Rivera Silayan – 3rd runner up
1981, Marie Caroline “Maricar” de Vera Mendoza – none
1982, Maria Isabel “Maribel” Pagunsan Lopez – none
1983, Rosita “Cita” Cornell Capuyon – none
1984, Maria Desiree “Dess” Ereso Verdadero – 3rd runner up
1985, Joyce Ann Fellosas Burton – none
1986, Violeta Asela Enriquez Naluz – none
1987, Geraldine Edith “Peeble” Villaruz Asis – semifinalist
1988, Perfida “Perlee” Reyes Limpin – none
1989, Sarah Jane Davis Paez – none
1990, Germelina “Gem” Leah Banal Padilla – none
1991, Anjanette “AJ” Palencia Abayari – Resigned
Ma. Lourdes”Alu” Talam Gonzales – none
1992, Elizabeth “Lisa” Garcia Berroya – none
1993, Melinda Joanna “Dindi” Tanseco Gallardo – none
1994, Charlene Mae Gonzalez Bonnin – Finalist (Best in National Costume)
1995, Joanne Zapanta Santos – none
1996, Aileen Leng Marfori Damiles – Miss Photogenic (thru online voting)
1997, Abbygale “Abby”Williamson Arenas – Miss Photogenic (thru online voting)
1998, Olivia Teresa “Tisha” de Carlos Silang – Resigned
Jewel May Colmenares Lobaton – none
1999, Miriam “Am” Redito Quiambao – 1st runner up (Clairol Best Style Award)
2000, Nina Ricci Caldo Alagao – none
2001, Zorayda Ruth Blanco Andam – none
2002, Karen Loren Agustin – none
2003, Carla Gay Sunga Balingit – none
2004, Maricar Balagtas – none
2005, Gionna Cabrera – Miss Photogenic, (finalist, Best in National Costume)
2006, Lia Andrea Ramos – Miss Photogenic
2007, Theresa Anne Licaros – Miss Photogenic
2008, Jennifer Barrientos – none
2009, Pamela Bianca Manalo - none
2010, Venus Raj - 4th runner-up
2011, Shamcey Supsup - 3rd runner-up
2012, Janine Tugonon - 1st runner-up
2013, Ariella Arida - 3rd runner-up
2014, Mary Jean Lastimosa - Top 10 Finalist
2015, Pia Wurtzbach - Miss Universe
2016, Maxine Medina - Top 6 Finalist
2017, Rachel Peters - Top 10 Semifinalist
2018, Catriona Gray - Miss Universe
2019, Gazini Ganados - 

Miss Philippines International winners

The 49th Miss International pageant finals was held in Chengdu, Sichuan, China last November 28, 2009 with Mexico’s Anagabriela Espinoza taking home the title. The Philippines was represented by a Bicolana beauty in the person of Melody Gersbach who landed as one of the 12 semifinalists. She competed for the crown won four times by the country, Gemma Cruz in 1964, Aurora Pijuan in 1970, Melanie Marquez in 1979 and Precious Lara Quigaman in 2005.
Until 1968 when Nini Ramos won, the country was represented in the international pageant by a Miss Philippines, not a Bb. Pilipinas-International, a title which Nini was the first holder (her niece Pamela Bianca Manalo was this year’s bet in the Miss Universe contest).
From 1960 to 1964 , the Miss Philippines was sponsored by Boys Town Philippines to which Gemma Cruz donated her cash prize when she won in Long Beach, California. The first Miss International in 1960 was Stella Marquez Zawadsky of Colombia and later married to Mr. Jorge Araneta. The first Miss Universe from Finland, Armi Kuusela, also married to a Filipino, Virgilio Hilario. Here’s the flashback to Miss Philippines winners who represented the country in Miss International:

1960 – Edita Resureccion Vital (Miss Philippines), Josephine Brown (Miss Luzon), Editha Fargas (Miss Visayas) and Carminda de Leon (Miss Mindanao). The pageant was held on June 25, 1960, the first ever national pageant held at the Big Dome. Among the judges were 1952 Miss Universe Armi Helena Kuusela and businessman/movie-stage actor Virgilio Hilario. A month before the pageant, Editha won Miss Philippine Press Photography.
1961 – Pilar Arciaga (Miss Philippines), Concepcion Tan (Miss Luzon), Zenaida Ututalum (Miss Visayas) and Gloria Borromeo (Miss Mindanao). The pageant was held on February 26, 1961 at the International Fair Auditorium in conjunction with the 1961 Philippines International Fair. Pilar joined the Miss Manila Red Cross search in 1960.
1962 – Cynthia Lucero Ugalde (Miss Philippines), Lalaine Bennett (Miss Luzon), Adelaida Canda (Miss Visayas) and Juliet Pardo (Miss Mindanao). Cynthia was Miss PAF 1958 and 1961 Miss PPP. The pageant was held on July 7, 1962 at the Philamlife Auditorium. There were only seven hopefuls, outnumbered by the board of judges (11) headed by Manila Councilor Carmen Planas.
1963 – Monina Medenilla Yllana (Miss Philippines ), Leonor Testa (Miss Luzon), Sonia Orendain (Miss Visayas) and Violeta Alisoso (Miss Mindanao). The pageant was held on July 7,1963 at Philamlife Auditorium. 1960 Miss International Stella Marquez headed the panel of nine judges. Sylvia Gumabao (1963 Miss PPP) and Vida Hernandez (1963 Miss Luzon to Lalaine Bennett, 1963 Miss Philippines Universe and 4th runner up in that year’s Miss Universe pageant) were among the 10 finalists. Monina was also one of the seven Pink Camay Girls of 1961. Sonia was 1963 Miss PPP 1st runner up, one of the 15 finalists in the 1964 Bb. Pilipinas pageant and a 1965 Miss Ever Girl finalist. Violeta was 1963 Junior Miss Philippines of Cebu City.
1964 – Gemma Teresa Guerrero Cruz (Miss Philippines), Edna Rosanna Keyes (Miss Luzon), Alice Rosal Barr (Miss Visayas) and Erlinda Mendoza (Miss Mindanao).The pageant was held on May 30, 1964 at the Alba Supper Club, the only national pageant held at high noon in a night club. Gemma, who was No. 13 in a field of 16 contestants, was crowned Miss Philippines before 2 pm. She was MOPC (Manila Overseas Press Club) muse. Rosanna was a 1964 Bb. Pilipinas finalist while Alice was 1965 Miss Ever Girl.
1965 – The search was declared a failure because no candidate came up to the standards set by the previous year’s winner, Gemma Cruz. Instead, Isabel Barnett Santos (1965 Bb. Pilipinas 1st runner up and Miss Photogenic) was handpicked by the organizers, National Youth Foundation, to represent the country in the 1965 Miss International pageant.
1966 – No local and international pageants.
1967 – Margarita Lebumfacil Romualdez (Miss Philippines), Tessie Lastrilla (Miss Luzon), June Frances Roco (Miss Visayas), Evangeline de Leon (Miss Mindanao and Miss Friendship) and Patsy Sevilla (Miss Manila). Sponsored by the Textile Mills Association of the Philippines, the pageant was held on April 4, 1967 at the Philamlife Auditorium. Margarita, daughter of pre-war campus beauty queen Milagros Lebumfacil, beat eight other finalists and was crowned by Gemma Cruz. Margarita also bagged the Imelda Award and Miss Philippines Textile during the finals. Margarita was one of The Five Prettiest Girls of 1966 picked by the Bachelors Club. She also joined the search for 1966 Calendar Girl. June was a Miss Intercollegiate Girl of the Philippines (chosen by the College Editors Guild) and 1965 Bb. Pilipinas 3rd runner up and Miss Talent.