The Scorecards (Miss Universe 1990-1999)

Miss Universe 1999 Top 10

1999:

1. Sonia Raciti SOUTH AFRICA (9.68)
2. Miriam Quiambao PHILIPPINES (9.52)
3. Carolina Indriago VENEZUELA (9.49)
4. Gul Panag INDIA (9.47)
5. Mpule Kwelagobe BOTSWANA (9.47)
6. Nicole Haughton JAMAICA (9.42)
7. Diana Nogueira SPAIN (9.38)
8. Akuba Cudjoe GHANA (9.33)
9. Brenda Lopez PUERTO RICO (9.26)
10. Silvia Salgado MEXICO (9.25)
11. Jouraine Ricardo CURACAO (9.25)
12. Michelle Shead AUSTRALIA (9.25)
13. Mareva Galanter FRANCE (9.24)
14. Satomi Ogawa JAPAN (9.24)
15. Rana Raslan ISRAEL (9.24)
16. Glennis Knowles BAHAMAS (9.24)
17. Marisa Ferreira PORTUGAL (9.23)
18. Yamani Saied PANAMA (9.23)
19. Kimberly Pressler USA (9.23)
20. Gloria Bellicchi ITALY (9.17)

1998:

1. Wendy Fitzwilliams TRINIDAD/TOBAGO
2. Veruska Ramirez VENEZUELA
3. Shawnae Jebbia USA
4. Joyce Giraud PUERTO RICO
5. Silvia Fernanda Ortiz COLOMBIA
6. Michella Marchi BRAZIL
7. Lymaraina D'Souza INDIA
8. Anna Malova RUSSIA
9. Andrea Roche IRELAND
10. Kerishnie Naiker SOUTH AFRICA

1997:

1. Verna Vasquez CURACAO (9.410)
2. Lia Victoria Borrero PANAMA (9.333)
3. Brook Mahealani Lee USA (9.236)
4. Denny Mendez ITALY (9.170)
5. Margot Bourgeois TRINIDAD/TOBAGO (9.120)
6. Marena Bencomo VENEZUELA (9.083)
7. Kristiina Heinmets ESTONIA (9.060)
8. Victoria Lagerstrom SWEDEN (8.983)
9. Ana Rosa Brito PUERTO RICO (8.970)
10. Nafisa Joseph INDIA (8.966)
11. Abbygale Arenas PHILIPPINES (8.950)
12. Gabriela Aguilar COSTA RICA (8.943)
13. Laura Csortan AUSTRALIA (8.906)
14. Petra Minarova CZECH REPUBLIC (8.880)
15. Marina McCartney NEW ZEALAND (8.860)
16. Melanie Winiger SWITZERLAND (8.853)
17. Rebeca Tamez MEXICO (8.853)
18. Karita Tuomola FINLAND (8.850)
19. Solveig Gudmundsdottir ICELAND (8.823)
20. Claudia Elena Vasquez COLOMBIA (8.813)

1996:

1. Ali Landry USA (9.350)
2. Alicia Machado VENEZUELA (9.323
3. Ilmira Shamsutdinova RUSSIA (9.210)
4. Annika Duckmark SWEDEN (9.113)
5. Sandhya Chib INDIA (9.090)
6. Vanessa Guzman MEXICO (9.026)
7. Milena Mayorga EL SALVADOR (8.966)
8. Natali Sacco PERU (8.946)
9. Taryn Mansell ARUBA (8.943)
10. Lola Odusoga FINLAND (8.930)
11. Laure Belleville FRANCE (8.876)
12. Michelle Khan TRINIDAD/TOBAGO (8.856)
13. Carol Becker SOUTH AFRICA (8.843)
14. Veronique de Kock BELGIUM (8.833)
15. Andrea Deak HUNGARY (8.830)
16. Andrea L'Huillier CHILE (8.813)
17. Maria Jose Suarez SPAIN (8.783)
18. Aileen Damiles PHILIPPINES (8.770)
19. Maria Joana Parizotto BRAZIL (8.766)
20. Nina Georgala GREECE (8.736)

1995:

1. Chelsi Smith USA (9.343)
2. Desiree Lowry PUERTO RICO (9.333)
3. Tatiana Castro COLOMBIA (9.330)
4. Arlene Peterkin TRINIDAD/TOBAGO (9.313)
5. Denyse Floreano VENEZUELA (9.200)
6. Candida Lara DOMINICAN REP. (9.200)
7. Eleonora Carrillo EL SALVADOR (9.196)
8. Lana Buchberger CANADA (9.160)
9. Manpreet Brar INDIA (9.153)
10. Augustine Masilela SOUTH AFRICA (9.143)
11. Toyin Raji NIGERIA (9.090)
12. Yulia Alekseeva RUSSIA (9.083)
13. Maria Reyes SPAIN (9.046)
14. Pavadee Vicheinrut THAILAND (9.040)
15. Tarita Brown COOK ISLANDS (9.020)
16. Joanne Santos PHILIPPINES (9.013)
17. Sung Ju Han KOREA (9.013)
18. Michele Janette Sage PANAMA (8.990)
19. Alessandra Meloni ITALY (8.953)
20. Justine Willoughby JAMAICA (8.950)

1994:

1. Carolina Gomez COLOMBIA (9.268)
2. Rea Toutounzi GREECE (9.256)
3. Sushmita Sen INDIA (9.253)
4. Charlene Gonzales PHILIPPINES (9.225)
5. Frances Louise Parker USA (9.202)
6. Arianna David ITALY (9.159)
7. Minorka Mercado VENEZUELA (9.126)
8. Domenique Forsberg SWEDEN (9.000)
9. Patricia Faessler SWITZERLAND (8.973)
10. Silvia Lakatosova SLOVAK REPUBLIC (8.946)
11. Michelle Van Eimeren AUSTRALIA (8.926)
12. Inna Zobova RUSSIA (8.903)
13. Areeya Chumsai THAILAND (8.880)
14. Karina Calmet PERU (8.853)
15. Gitte Anderson DENMARK (8.840)
16. Fabiola Perez Rovirosa MEXICO (8.830)
17. Eva Maria Laan ESTONIA (8.830)
18. Valeria Melo Peris BRAZIL (8.816)
19. Joanna Brykczynska POLAND (8.793)
20. Katya Schoenstedt GUATEMALA (8.766)

1993:

1. Leila Schuster BRAZIL (9.286)
2. Milka Chulina VENEZUELA (9.240)
3. Kenya Summer Moore USA (9.236)
4. Paula Betancourt COLOMBIA (9.216)
5. Eugenia Santana SPAIN (9.200)
6. Tarja Smura FINLAND (9.180)
7. Voni Delfos AUSTRALIA (9.103)
8. Dayanara Torres PUERTO RICO (9.073)
9. Namrata Shirodkar INDIA (9.056)
10. Pavlina Baburkova CZECHOSLOVAKIA (8.996)
11. Deborah Souza-Peixoto PERU (8.936)
12. Angelina Gonzalez MEXICO (8.883)
13. Rachel Stuart JAMAICA (8.883)
14. Ma. Run Haflidadottir ICELAND (8.853)
15. Angelique Van Zalen NETHERLANDS (8.830)
16. Johanna Lind SWEDEN (8.813)
17. Savka Pollak CHILE (8.766)
18. Angelica Nicoara ROMANIA (8.743)
19. Maria Hirse DENMARK (8.683)
20. Luisa Amalia Urcuyo NICARAGUA (8.676)

1992:

1. Carolina Izsak VENEZUELA (9.477)
2. Michelle McLean NAMIBIA (9.147)
3. Anke Van Dermeersch BELGIUM (8.983)
4. Paola Turbay COLOMBIA (8.969)
5. Madhu Sapre INDIA (8.952)
6. Vivian Jansen NETHERLANDS (8.921)
7. Shannon Marketic USA (8.874)
8. Georgina Denahy AUSTRALIA (8.805)
9. Lisa de Montalk NEW ZEALAND (8.789)
10.Monica Brodd SWEDEN (8.773)
11. Svava Haraldsd ICELAND (8.773)
12. Elif Ilgaz TURKEY (8.743)
13. Cathy Mae Sitaram US VIRGIN ISLD (8.736)
14. Anne Sofie Galaen NORWAY (8.733)
15. Krisi Syrjanen FINLAND (8.716)
16. Monica Zuniga MEXICO (8.680)
17. Liza Gonzalez DOMINICAN REP. (8.656)
18. Fontella Chipman BAHAMAS (8.650)
19. Daisy Garcia PUERTO RICO (8.626)
20. Ornanong Panyawong THAILAND (8.606)

1991:

1. Lupita Jones MEXICO (9.006)
2. Kimberley Mais JAMAICA (8.986)
3. Yulia Lemigova USSR (8.864)
4. Kelli McCarty USA (8.834)
5. Natasha Pavlovic YUGOSLAVIA (8.774)
6. Jacqueline Krijger CURACAO (8.753)
7. Vivian Benitez PARAGUAY (8.719)
8. Jackeline Rodriguez VENEZUELA (8.719)
9. Mareva Georges FRANCE (8.706)
10. Paulien Huizinga NETHERLANDS (8.694)
11. Helen Upton UNITED KINGDOM (8.686)
12. Patricia Godoi BRAZIL (8.686)
13. Lene Maria Pedersen NORWAY (8.613)
14. Adriana Comas URUGUAY (8.596)
15. Tanja Vienon FINLAND (8.576)
16. Cecilia Alfaro CHILE (8.576)
17. Esther Bermudez SPAIN (8.563)
18. Katrin Richter GERMANY (8.526)
19. Siobhan McClafferty IRELAND (8.466)
20. Eileen Yeow Yin Yin SINGAPORE (8.446)

1990:

1. Mona Grudt NORWAY (8.683)
2. Andreina Goetz VENEZUELA (8.420)
3. Carole Gist USA (8.316)
4. Marile del Rosario MEXICO (8.316)
5. Liseth Mahecha COLOMBIA (8.313)
6. Suzanne Sabloak INDIA (8.280)
7. Rosario del Pilar BOLIVIA (8.256)
8. Urania Haltenhoss CHILE (8.206)
9. Jana Hronkova CZECHOSLOVAKIA (8.210)
10. Julide Ates TURKEY (8.090)
11. Tzui-Pin Wen TAIWAN ROC (8.070)
12. Germelina Padilla PHILIPPINES (8.056)
13. Jane Lloyd WALES (8.020)
14. Julieta Posla COSTA RICA (8.000)
15. Michele Hall JAMAICA (7.996)
16. Evia Stalbovska SOVIET UNION (7.946)
17. Tiina Vierto FINLAND (7.943)
18. Rosario del Carmen DOMINICAN REP. (7.940)
19. Sascha Nukaka GREENLAND (7.896)
20. Hildur Dungal ICELAND (7.893)

The day the Philippines conquered the universe

Miss Universe 1969
Gloria Diaz

Her answer came quick and easy, and she didn’t stammer nor hesitate at all, showing her presence of mind and grace under pressure.

Aboard Apollo 11, Neil Armstrong, along with fellow Astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins, had just landed on the moon (“One small step for a man; one giant leap for mankind,” said Armstrong), the first man ever to accomplish that feat, and Miss Universe pageant host Bob Barker, euphoric like every human on earth, read the critical and decisive question to each of the five finalists, four of whom inside a sound-proof cubicle: If the man on the moon should come down to Earth and visit your hometown, what would you do to entertain him?

Unruffled, the 18-year-old petite Bb. Pilipinas-Universe answered, “Why, I guess I would do for him what I always do. Since he has been away on the moon for so long, he would want a change.”

That, among other winning qualities, helped Gloria Diaz clinch for the Philippines its first ever Miss Universe crown (followed four years later, in 1973, by Margie Moran in Greece).

Soon after, US Pres. Richard Nixon came for a visit and he mentioned in his speech, “America was conquered the moon but the Philippines conquered the universe.”

That was 40 years ago today (July 20 US Time) and history, as far as Filipinos are concerned, will forever put those two earth-shaking milestones — yes, conquests! — in tandem.

But did you know that Gloria first ended in a tie with Miss Finland Harriet Erickson, with 31 votes each? (Miss Finland would finish first runner-up, followed by Miss Australia Joanne Barrett, second runner-up; Miss Israel Chava Levy, third runner-up; and Miss Japan Kikuyo Ohsuka, fourth runner-up)?

Recalled journalist Gloria Garchitorena-Goloy (who chaperoned Gloria Diaz to Miami, Florida, where the 1969 Miss Universe pageant was held) in a series of articles she wrote for the Sunday Times magazine (included in her book At The Crossroads), “Since there could only be one Miss Universe, the judges went into a quick huddle to resolve the deadlock. Voting secretly again, they decided between the two. In the meantime, the ranking of the three other finalists was not divulged until after the judges had come up with the final official list. And they gave Miss Philippines seven votes and Miss Finland, five votes. Gloria Diaz had become Miss Universe of 1969!”

Gloria (in excelsis, according to Quijano de Manila in a glowing Free Press article) came home to a heroine’s welcome. And, as they would say, the rest is history.

“I remember that they were making so much fuss about moon landing,” said Gloria about that “moment in time” in an exclusive interview with Funfare, “and when I thought about it, it came like a deja vu.”

Asked what was on her mind when the crown was placed on her head, the irrepressible Gloria, now a mother of three, said, “You know, it’s funny. I was just telling my children that I realized that I had won only the day when I started to work. I went to sleep very late and the next day, they told me to be up by six o’clock. I wondered, ‘What are they talking about?’ Everything hadn’t sunk in yet. Remember, I was 18 and suddenly I was an adult. Before I knew it, I was signing contracts and all that. Well, I told myself, ‘A, okey, parang picnic!’ And I started to work na. It was only much, much later did I realize how much it would change my life.”

During her one-year reign, what Gloria considered most exciting was meeting heads of states and famous people. “And,” she added with a little wink, “goodlooking guys especially from South America.”

All too suddenly, she found herself on top of the world.

“I was an intern and I had never really met many guys. Suddenly, the whole world was opened for you. You travel and, with the money, you could buy nice dresses. For an 18-year-old, having a new dress is really something.”

And the most unpleasant part?

“I always had to sit with sponsors at dinner every night, instead of go home and watch TV or read magazines...and always having a chaperone.”

How did she feel when relinquished her crown to her successor (Marisol Malaret of Puerto Rico)?

“Right that very minute onstage, I realized that nothing was permanent and that you were really, really replaceable. How can I ever teach that to my children? I don’t know. It’s very hard to have that awakening. As soon as I gave up my crown, I lost my limousine to the new winner. It’s a good thing that my mother had arranged for somebody to take us back to the hotel. They were still very nice to me but I was given 24 hours to vacate my room.

“I guess that’s very interesting because even our presidents go through that. That’s why some of them hang on to power for dear life kasi it’s so nice. During your reign, nothing starts without you and you can kind of take your time. Within one year, you think the world couldn’t go on until you arrived.”

Gloria still has the replica of the Miss U crown but not her trophy which she left at the PAL office at a US airport due to excess poundage.

“I don’t know where it is, San Francisco or L.A. They said they shipped it back but I doubt if they ever did. I don’t know where it is. It’s big, as big as I am.”

Had she not become Miss Universe, what would she have been today?

“You know, I always think about that. Maybe I would have been a champion tennis player or a lawyer making millions. Or a politician. Those were my dreams. Or else I would be a plain housewife with many, many children.”

She has only three.

“Thank God,” she said.

Gloria has become one of the country’s finest actresses with an acting trophy to show for it.

How does she think the Miss Universe competition has changed?
”I could say that during my time, hindi pa uso ang mga retoke-retoke. At that time, I guess nothing was false about the contestants, except their eyelashes. Iba na ang laban ngayon. Everyone seems to be having some part enhanced, even having new boobs...including you-know-who.”

Asked if she would do the same if she were 18 again — you know, join the Bb. Pilipinas pageant and earn the right to compete in the Miss Universe contest, Gloria said, why not?

“It was good while it lasted.”

And a great honor to, you know, conquer the universe.

Featured Article: FUNFARE By Ricardo F. Lo, Philstar

Misses RP for Miss U pageant, 1952-'63

Teresita Sanchez

Three lucky girls from a batch of 24 will be chosen Bb. Pilipinas-Universe, Bb. Pilipinas-World and Bb. Pilipinas-International in the 2010 Bb. Pilipinas pageant to be held on March 6 at the Araneta Coliseum (to be covered live by GMA).

Meanwhile, here are anecdotes about the Misses Philippines from 1952 to 1963 for the Miss Universe pageant. This is the third installment of pre-Bb. Pilipinas pageants, after Misses RP-World and Misses Philippines-International, courtesy of Funfare’s “other beauty expert” Celso de Guzman Caparas.

From 1952 to 1955, winners were declared through ballots. Edith Nakpil, Chuchay Tuason and Cristina Matias did not pursue their Miss Universe stints due to personal reasons. Selection of Miss Philippines was not held in 1960 and 1961.

• 1952: Miss Philippines Teresita Torralba Sanchez, Miss Luzon Carmen Ortega, Miss Visayas Jean Arquiza, Miss Mindanao Emma Nepomuceno and Miss Manila Carmencita Fernandez. There were 14 finalists including the late actress Nida Blanca and Maria Norma Mendoza. Sponsored by Pan American Airways, Catalina Swimsuits, Universal International Pictures and Khan Cigarette Co., the coronation night was held on April 26, 1952 at the Fiesta Pavillion of Manila Hotel. Teresita was Maria Norma’s runner-up in the Silvana Mangano of the Philippines 1952 contest. Emma also joined the search for Miss Philippines of 1953 PI World Fair (won by Cristina Galang), Loveliest Dalagang Filipina and Miss Valentine of the Philippines, both in 1954. Nida’s film Korea was shown a month before the pageant finals. The movie gave Nida her first acting award, the first ever Best Supporting Actress of FAMAS.

• 1953: Miss Philippines Cristina “Tinang” Monson Pacheco, Miss Luzon Janet Hart, Miss Visayas Eleanor Medina, Miss Mindanao Gloria Tupas and Miss Manila Amelia Crame. There were 14 finalists. The pageant was sponsored by Poulex Department Store and the coronation night was held on June 28, 1953 at the Fiesta Pavillion of Manila Hotel. Cristina did a movie, Saigon (1956, filmed entirely in Vietnam), with Leopoldo Salcedo and played the role of Veronica in the Lenten stage play Martir sa Golgota (1956) with Cecilia Lopez as the Virgin Mary, staged in Manila Grand Opera House. Eleanor won as Silvana Mangano of the Philippines of 1953 and second place as Scoty’s Girl of 1953, freelanced in LVN and Premiere studios and topbilled Babaing Kalbo (1953).

• 1954: Miss Philippines Blesilda “Bessie” Mueler Ocampo, Miss Luzon Baby Vergel de Dios, Miss Visayas Monette Tambunting and Miss Mindanao Maja Fernandez. Bessie was crowned on Dec. 19, 1953 at the Boys’ Town Carnival Auditorium. Bessie also joined the Miss Valentine of the Philippines 1954. Monette joined the Miss Philippine Red Cross 1952, Queen of Mardi Gras 1953 and was selected as one of the Outstanding Teenagers of 1953. Imelda Romualdez, Muse of Manila 1953, was one of the candidates.

• 1955: Miss Philippines Yvonne Berenguer de los Reyes, Miss Luzon Lucy del Prado, Miss Visayas Annie Gonzales and Miss Mindanao Annie Corrales. There were 16 finalists including Elaine Gamboa (mother of Sharon Cuneta). Since the pageant was held in conjuction with the Cavalcade of Industries Exposition, Yvonne was bestowed the title Queen Yvonne I, Miss Philippines, Queen of Industries during the coronation night on March 12, 1955 at the Cavalcade Hall Auditorium of United Nations Plaza. Yvonne came from a family of beauty queens. She is the sister of Simonette de los Reyes, Bb. Pilipinas–Universe 1970, and the cousin of Pacita de los Reyes, Carnival Queen 1929, and Bessie Ocampo, Miss Philippines 1954. Baby joined the Gypsy Princess tilt in 1953.

• 1956: Miss Philippines Merced Edith Noble Nakpil, Miss Luzon Fely Gonzales, Miss Visayas Helen Paulino and Miss Mindanao Sylvia Rodriguez. The winners were chosen by a 15-member jury on Dec. 18, 1955 and were crowned on Dec. 23, 1955 at the Boys Town Auditorium. Edith was a pageant veteran. She also joined the search for Miss Philippine Red Cross 1952, Queen of Charity 1953, Queen of Mardi Gras 1953, Loveliest Dalagang Filipina 1954 and Miss Valentine of the Philippines 1954. She was the daughter of Anita Noble, Carnival Queen 1926, and Juan Nakpil (declared National Artist for Architecture, 1973). Edith played the role Maria Magdalena in the stage play, Martir sa Golgota (1956). Edith passed away at 74 last year.

• 1956: Miss Philippines Isabel Rodriguez bested 15 other candidates including Annie Corrales and Sonia Aldeguer who made it as finalists, clinching the title of Miss Benevolence. Isabel, who quit a convent school to join the contest, was chosen by a panel of judges including prominent socialite Chona Recto-Kasten and Cesar Legaspi (later named National Artist for Visual Arts, 1990). The search was conducted when Edith Nakpil forfeited her right to compete in the 1956 Miss Universe pageant. The coronation night was held on June 23, 1956 at Fiesta Pavillion of Manila Hotel during the Fashion Impressions show for the benefit of the Elks Cerebral Palsy Educational and Fund Campaign Drive.

• 1957: Miss Philippines Mary Ann Carmen “Annie” Philipps Corrales. After three attempts, Annie finally won the coveted crown and title which she received on June 23, 1957 during the Holiday in Manila festival at the Jai-Alai Skyroom. The pageant was jointly sponsored by Casino Español of the Philippines and Elks Cerebral Palsy Educational and Fund Campaign Drive. Annie was also Miss Aviation 1955 and Miss Mindanao to Miss Philippines 1955 Yvonne de los Reyes. Carmen Soriano, Martine Carol of the Philippines 1957 and Miss Manila 1957, competed in the pageant.

• 1958: Miss Philippines Carmen “Chuchay” Remedios Tuason, Miss Luzon Belinda Mendrano, Miss Visayas Rosalinda Yulo and Miss Mindanao Esmelita Aniban. In a field of 35 aspirants, the winners were selected by an all-male panel of judges composed of Senator-actor Rogelio de la Rosa, Congressman Jose Laurel, Napoleon Abueva (later declared National Artist for Visual Arts – Sculpture, 1976), head of Sampaguita Studios Dr. Jose Perez (one of CCP’s 100 Centennial Honor for the Arts awardees, 1999) and businessman-stage/film actor Virgilio Hilario (husband of the first Miss Universe, Armi Kuusela). They were proclaimed on Jan. 30, 1958 and crowned on Feb. 7, 1958 at the Philippine National Exposition Auditorium. As part of her prize, Chuchay attended the 1958 Brussels World’s Fair in Belgium. She was also Muse of Art Directors Club of 1958. Recently, Chuchay represented our country in the first International Mind Sports Game held in Beijing, China, in October 2008, and in the 31st ASEAN Bridge Club Championship in Kuala Lumpur in December 2009.

• 1959: Miss Philippines Cristina “Cristy” Matias, Miss Luzon Encarnita Abierra, Miss Visayas Amelia Bucoy and Miss Mindanao Corazon de Jesus. Cristina won over 40 other candidates from different regions of the country. Winners were selected by a 15-member board of judges and were proclaimed on Jan. 18, 1959. Cristina was crowned as Queen Cristina II on Feb. 6, 1959 at the Philippine National Exposition Auditorium. During the coronation night, a production number called Trip to the Stars, personifying gods and goddesses, was rendered by Susan Roces (Goddess of Mercury), Amalia Fuentes (Goddess of Neptune), Paraluman (Goddess of Venus), Marlene Dauden (Goddess of Saturn), Ric Rodrigo (God of Mars), Juancho Gutierrez (God of Uranus) and Romeo Vasquez (God of Neptune). Corazon was also Miss Manila Youth of 1959. Cristina and Corazon appeared in LVN Picture’s Bayanihan (1959) topbilled by Nestor de Villa and Bernard Bonnin.

• 1962: Miss Philippines Josephine Brown Estrada was chosen by Boys Town of the Philippines Committee in coordination with Ken Snell, Manila representative of the Miss Universe contest. Her launching movie, June Bride (opposite Eddie Gutierrez, was shown on June 23, 1962) days after her appointment as Miss Philippines. She joined the Dream Girl contest in 1959, won as Miss Luzon to Miss Philippines 1960 (for Miss International) Edita Vital and Miss Aviation 1961. Josephine is married to H.E. Jose E. Brillantes, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipontentiary of the Philippines to Canada. An active volunteer of a national non-governmental organization, Josephine is deeply involved in numerous activities that address the growing needs of Filipino migrants in the USA.

• 1963: Miss Philippines: Lalaine “Bing-bing” Betia Bennett, Miss Luzon Vida Hernandez, Miss Visayas Carmencita “Chiqui” Somes, Miss Mindanao Lirio Arkoncel and Miss Manila Virginia Sicat. In cooperation with Manila couturiers and designers, the pageant was sponsored by General Textiles. Lalaine and Chiqui were already in showbiz when they were crowned on June 9, 1963 at the Philamlife Auditorium. Dubbed as the Paula Prentiss of the Philippines, Lalaine received a Best Actress nomination from FAMAS for Ligaw na Daigdig (1962). She also placed first runner-up (Miss Luzon) to Miss Philippines 1962 (for Miss International) Cynthia Ugalde. Lalaine is the niece of Helen Bennett, former social secretary of President Elpidio Quirino and Miss Visayas to Carnival Queen 1936 Guia Balmori. Chiqui, daughter of character actor-police detective Jose Vergara, was one of the 15 finalists in the first Bb. Pilipinas pageant in 1964.

Featured Article: Misses RP for Miss U pageant, 1952-'63 originally appeared on The Philippine Star on Fri, 12 Feb 2010 12:00 AM.

A gallery of Misses Philippines in the Miss U tilt, 1952-1963

Lalaine Betia Bennett
Miss Universe 1963
3rd Runner Up

It’s Miss Universe season again.

On Aug. 23, the 2010 Miss Universe will be chosen at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas where it was also held back in 1991 when Kuh Ledesma was one of the judges and Bb. Pilipinas Alu Gonzalez, Kuh’s lookalike and sister of actress Suzanne Gonzalez, was the country’s bet.

“Will 2010 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Maria Venus Raj bring home the country’s third Miss U crown (after Gloria Diaz in 1969 and Margie Moran in 1973)?” asked Funfare’s “other beauty expert” Celso de Guzman Caparas.

Beauty-watchers ask the same question year in and year out, don’t they? The closest that the Philippines got to bagging another Miss U title was in 1999 when Miriam Quiambao finished first runner-up to Miss Botswana.

“I’m sure the controversy surrounding the dethronement and eventual reinstatement of Venus will make many people, hopefully including the judges, take a good look at her,” added Celso who has compiled a list of the Misses Philippines in the Miss U contest from 1952 to 1963 before the Bb. Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI) got the franchise and began sending representatives in 1964, with the late Myrna Panlilio-Borromeo as the first representative.

• 1952 — Miss Philippines Teresita Torralba Sanchez left Manila for L.A. via Honolulu on June 19, 1952 at 7:45 p.m. by Pan American Airways Strato Clipper. She was joined by Miss Hong Kong Judy Dan who arrived earlier in the afternoon from Hong Kong. Teresita was immediately rated as a dark horse; she fainted during the finals but recovered before the announcement of winners. Ramon Valera and Mademoiselle designed her wardrobe. Judy was third runner-up to 1952 Miss Universe Armi Helena Kuusela of Finland, the first title-holder.

• 1953 — Miss Philippines Cristina Monson Pacheco left Manila for L.A. via Honolulu on July 6, 1953 by Pan American Airways Strato Clipper. Cristina and her co-delegates visited the Universal International Studio and met top Hollywood actors including Jeff Chandler.

• 1954 — Miss Philippines Maria Blesilda Mueller Ocampo was in London when Boys Town Philippines received the confirmation from Oscar Meinhardt, executive producer of Miss Universe Pageant, that she was an official delegate to the pageant. From London, Bessie flew to L.A. and arrived there on July 11 with the European delegates. Bessie was adjudged one of the 16 semi-finalists, the only delegate who listed in her bio that she’s a professional cook. After the pageant, Bessie, Miss Japan Mieko Kondo and Miss Texas Betty Lee and 12 other delegates were offered jobs as showgirls at $150 a week in a fancy Hollywood nightspot, Moulin Rouge Supper Club. Only Lee accepted the offer.

• 1955 — Miss Philippines Yvonne Berrenguer de los Reyes left Manila on July 12, 1955 for L.A. (via Honolulu) on board Pan American Airways. She brought wood carvings and presented them to Mayor George Vermillion of Long Beach, California.

• 1956 — Miss Philippines Isabel Escobar Rodriguez paid a courtesy call to President Ramon Magsaysay in Malacañang Palace before she left for L.A. via Honolulu on July 10, 1956 at 11 p.m. by Pan American Airways.

• 1957 — Miss Philippines Mary Ann Carmen Philips Corrales left Manila for L.A. via Honolulu on July 6, 1957 shortly before midnight by Pan American Airways. She’s the only Philippine delegate in memory to bring along a personal beautician.

• 1962 — Miss Philippines Josephine Brown Estrada left Manila for Miami, Florida by KLM flight via Tokyo and San Francisco. She was seen off at the Manila International Airport by her good friend, Susan Roces.Josephine, who speaks fluent English and Spanish, served as an interpreter to some Latin American delegates. Josephine’s first starring-role movie, June Bride (opposite Eddie Gutierrez), was shown on June 23, 1962, a few days after she left for the pageant. After the pageant, Josephine continued her showbiz career; she was chosen by the Department of Foreign Affairs as an official Ambassadress of Goodwill to the 1965 Berlin Film Festival. She was our lone delegate to the 1965 David de Donatello Film Festival in Italy. In 1966, she received the Ciriaco Santiago Memorial Award from the FAMAS.

• 1963 — Miss Philippines Lalaine Betia Bennett left Manila on June 29, 1963 for Tokyo and stayed there for a week to fulfill some engagements before proceeding to Honolulu and San Francisco. She was among the first 13 official delegates to arrive in Miami Beach, Florida. Lalaine placed third runner-up to Ieda Maria Vargas of Brazil. She married her official escort in the pageant, Felix Skievasky, a US Naval Officer of Polish-Filipino descent, on Sept. 7, 1964 at the San Marcelino Church in Manila. Felix died in a plane crash in 1973.

(Note: The Philippines didn’t send any candidate from 1958 to 1961.)

Featured Article: A gallery of Misses Philippines in the Miss U tilt, 1952-1963 originally appeared on The Philstar on July 23, 2010 12:00 AM.

India, China only Asian countries with Misses World

Miss World 2000
Priyanka Chopra

Did you know that India and China are the only Asian countries so far with Miss World winners? One for China, Zhang Zi Lin (2007, also Queen of Asia & Oceania, Top Model and third-place Beach Beauty awardee) and five for India, namely Reita Faria (1966), Aishwarya Rai (1994, also Queen of Asia & Oceania and Miss Photogenic), Diana Hayden (1997, also Queen of Asia & Oceania, Miss Photogenic and Best in Swimwear), Yukta Mookhey (1999, also Queen of Asia & Oceania) and Priyanka Mini Chopra (2000, also Queen of Asia & Oceania).

That’s what Funfare’s “other beauty expert” Celso de Guzman Caparas discovered in his research.

Here’s the rest of India’s Miss World record:

• Runners-up: Malathi Basappa, fourth (1972) and Parvathy Omanakuttan, first (2008, also Queen of Asia Pacific, Beach Beauty finalist and Top Model third place).

• Finalists: Rani Joan Jeyraj (1996, also Queen of Asia & Oceania and Most Spectacular Evening Dress) and Ami Vashi (2003).

• Semi-finalists: Ferial Karim (1962), Heather Corinne Faville (1970), Anjana Sood (1975), Kalpana Iyer (1978), Elizabeth Anita Reddi (1980), Ritu Singh, Sindhura Gadde (2005), Natasha Suri (2006, also Beach Beauty third place, Dress Designer Award third place and Miss Talent semi-finalist) and Pooja Chopra (2009, also Beauty with a Purpose and Sports finalist).

• Special Awards: Karminder Kaur-Virk, Best National Costume (1993), Sayali Bhagat (2004, Top Model semi-finalist), Sarah Jane Dias, Miss Talent finalist (2007) and Ummarapas Jullakasian, Beach Beauty semi-finalist and Top Model semi-finalist (2008).

And China:

• Runner-up: Guan Qi, second (2003, also Queen of Asia & Oceania).

• Finalists: Bing Li (2001, also Queen of Asia) and Wu Ying-na (2002, also Queen of Asia & Oceania).

• Semi-finalist: Yang Jin (2004, also Miss Talent second place and Top Model semi-finalist).

• Special Awards: Emma Liu Duo, Designer semi-finalist (2006), Yan Ling Mei, Top Model semi-finalist (2008) and Yu Sheng, Designer Award finalist (2009).

The new Miss World will be chosen on Oct. 30 at the Beauty Crown Theater in Sanya, Hainan Province, China, with the Philippine bet, 2010 Bb. Pilipinas-World Czarina Catherine Gatbonton (who left last Saturday) competing with 119 other beauties for the crown currently held by Gibraltar’s Kaiane Aldorino. It’s the fifth time for China to host the pageant (previously in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2007).

Celso made the following list of how other Asian countries have fared so far:

Philippines, Runners-up: Pinky Amabuyok, fourth (1968); Evangeline Pascual, first (1973); and Ruffa Gutierrez, second (1993, also Queen of Asia & Oceania).

• Finalists: Kate Manalo, Top 10 (2002); Mafae Yunon, Top 5 (2003, also Beach Beauty finalist); and Karla Bautista, Top 5 (2004, also Queen of Asia & Oceania, Beach Beauty finalist and Miss Talent semi-finalist).

• Semi-finalists: Minnie Cagatao (1970), Eva Reyes (1972), Sarah Jane Areza, (1982, also Queen of Asia), Shery Rose Byrne (1986, also Queen of Asia), Cara Subijano (1994) and CarleneAguilar (2005, also Beach Beauty semi-finalist).

• Special Awards: Onelia Jose, Most Original Gown (1971); Louvette Hammond, Miss Talent (1978); Daisy Reyes, Miss Personality (1996); Anna Maris Igpit, Beach Beauty semi-finalist (2006); Maggie Wilson, Beach Beauty semi-finalist (2007); and Danielle Castaño, Beach Beauty finalist and Top Model semi-finalist (2008).

Japan, Runners-up: Midoriki Tokura, third (1956); Muneko Yorifuji, fourth (1957); and Teruko Ikeda, fourth (1962).

• Finalist: Chikako Shima (1974).

• Semi-finalists: Eiko Sakimurai (1960), Chie Nurakami (1961), Yuko Oguchi (1965), Naomi Kishi (1981, also Queen of Asia) and Eruza Sasaki (2009, also Miss World Sports).

• Special Awards: Erina Shinohara, Miss Talent finalist (2005), Kazuka Kondo, Sports semi-finalist (2006), Rui Watanabe, Beach Beauty semi-finalist (2007) and Mizuki Kubodera, Top Model semi-finalist (2008).

Korea, Runner-up: Yeon-hee Choi, first (1988, also Queen of Asia).

• Finalists: Yoon-young Choi (also Queen of Asia & Oceania) and Oh Eun-young (2005, also Miss World Asia Pacific and Beauty with a Purpose).

• Semi-finalists: Young-hee Lee (1960), Keum-shil Choi (1963), Eun-ah Lee (1965), Seung-yeon Lee (1993) and Kim Joo-ri (2009, also Queen of Asia & Oceania, Miss Talent second place, Designer Award finalist and Beach Beauty semi-finalist).

• Special Awards: Hyun-Jin Seo, Best Gown (2001); Kyoung-jin Han, Miss Talent semi-finalist (2004); Sharon Park, Sports semi-finalist (2006); and Cho Eun-ju, Best Evening Gown and Beach Beauty semi-finalist (2007).

Malaysia: Runner-up: Lina Teoh Pik Lim, second (1998, also Queen of Asia & Oceania).

• Semi-finalists: Catherine Loh (1963), Shirley Chew (1979), Rahima Orchient Yayah (1994), Arianna Teoh Lai Poh (1997, also Miss Personality) and Deborah Priya Henry (2007, also Beach Beauty semi-finalist).

• Special Awards: Soo Wincci, Miss Talent finalist and Top Model semi-finalist (2008); and Thanuja Ananthan, Top Model finalist (2009).

Sri Lanka, Runner-up: Manel Illangakoon, third (1953, she’s the first Asian to join the Miss World pageant).

• Semi-finalists: Jennifer Anne Fonseca (1963), Yolanda Shahzadi Ahlip (1970) and Manohori Vanigasooriya (1978).

Taiwan, Runners-up: Grace Li, first (1961) and Linda Lin Su-hsing, second (1964).

Special Awards: Dorothy Chu Hi-Yui, Miss Talent semi-finalist and Top Model finalist (2004); and Jamie Lin Chieh-min, Miss Talent finalist (2008).

Thailand, Finalists: Prathumrat Woramali (1989, also Queen of Asia) and Tania Tiana Suesuntisook (1997).

• Semi-finalists: Pinnarut Tananchai (1968) and Jintana Jitsophon (1972).

• Special Awards: Metinee Kingpayome, Queen of Asia & Oceania (1992, she’s the first Continental Queen who didn’t enter the semi-finals or finals); Patinya Thongsri, Miss Personality (1994); Lada Aengchawadejasilpa, Miss Photogenic (2001); Dulaya Pralangisait, Fitness & Sports Finalist and Miss Talent semi-finalist (2004); Kanokkorn Jaichuen, Miss Talent finalist (2007); Ummarapas Jullakasian, Beach Beauty semi-finalist and Top Model semi-finalist (2008); and Pongchanok Kunklub, Miss Talent finalist (2009).

Hong Kong, Semi-finalists: Margaret Cheung Man-Yuk (1983), Pauline Yeung Bo-Ling (1987, also Queen of Asia) and Cheung Ka-yi (2007, also Beauty with a Purpose).

• Special Awards: Judy Denise Anita Dirkin, Miss Personality (1974); and Tracy Ip Chiu-Chiu, Beach Beauty semi-finalist (2005).

Vietnam, semi-finalists: Nguyen Thi Huyen (2004), Mai Phuong Thuy (2006, Dress Designer Award semi-finalist) and Tran Thi Huong Giang (2009, also Top Model second place and Beach Beauty finalist).

Indonesia, Special Awards: Kristania Virginia Besouw, Sports semi-finalist (2006); Kamidia Radisti, Beauty with a Purpose finalist and Miss Talent finalist (2007); Sandra Angelia, Miss Talent finalist (2008); and Kerenina Sunny Halim, Miss Talent finalist and Beach Beauty finalist (2009).

Singapore, Semi-finalist: Pauline Pon Neo Cheong (1976).

• Special Awards: Maggie Siew Teen Sim, Miss Personality (1975); and Colleen Francisca Pereira, Beach Beauty fifth place (2006).

Mongolia, Special Award: Oyungerel Gankhuyag, Beach Beauty semi-finalist (2007).

Featured Article: India, China only Asian countries with Misses World originally appeared on The Philippine Star on Oct 04 2010.

RP only Asian country with Miss Int'l winners

Miss International 2005 Precious Lara Quigaman

The Philippines doesn’t have a Miss World winner (but could have had one in 1973 but first runner-up Evangeline Pascual refused to take over after USA’s Marjorie Wallace was dethroned), although it has two Misses Universe (Gloria Diaz in 1969 and Margie Moran in 1973).

But did you know that the Philippines is the only Asian country with not just one but four Misses International in the pageant’s 50-year history (first winner was Stella Marquez of Colombia, now Mrs. Jorge Araneta)? Which means that the Philippines is a suki of the contest which will hold its 50th edition on Nov. 7 at the Sichuan Province Gymnasium in Chengdu, China, just like how Venezuela is positioned in the Miss U pageant in which it has several winners. Reigning Miss International is Mexico’s Anagabriela Espinosa Marroquin.

There are suggestions not to send the country’s Miss International bet Krista Mae Arrieta Kleiner in the wake of the Rizal Park hostage-taking incident because she might get the ire of the Chinese. It’s a good thing Krista did go; she left last Wednesday. She should prove to the Chinese that Filipinos are really good and kind-hearted people and the hostage-taker was an exception. More than 80 beauties from the same number of countries are competing.

Funfare’s “other beauty expert” Celso de Guzman Caparas made a list of how the Philippines and other Asian countries have fared so far in the Miss International contest as a nod to the contest’s current search.

• Philippines, four winners: Gemma Cruz (1964), Aurora Pijuan (1970), Melanie Marquez (1979, also Best National Costume) and Precious Lara Quigaman (2005).

Runners-up: Evelyn Camus, second (1971); Yogi Dominguez, second (1972, also Best National Costume); and Marilen Ojeda, fourth (1973).

Semi-finalists (18): Edita Vital (1960), Monina Yllana (1963), Nini Ramos (1968), Binky Montinola (1969), Jaye Murphy (1975), Dolly Ascalon (1976, also Best National Costume), Dianne Jeanne Chiong (1980), Peachy Sacasas (1981), Alice Dixson (1986), Patti Betita (1991), Alma Concepcion (1994, also Miss Friendship), Gladys Dueñas (1995), Yedda Marie Mendoza (1996), Susan Jane Ritter (1997), Colette Centeno (1998), Maan Bayot (2004), Patricia Fernandez (2008) and Melody Adelheid Gersbach (2009).

Special Awards: Cynthia Ugalde, Miss Photogenic fourth runner-up (1962); and Lia Andanar, Miss Friendship (1989).

• India, Runners-up: Iona Pinto, first (1960); Indira Maria Bredemeyer, second (1975); Nafisa Ali, second (1976); Diya Abraham, first (1997); Shvetha Jaishankar, second (1998); and Shonali Nograni, first (2003).

Semi-finalists: Sumita Sen (1968), Patricia D’Souza (1970), Nalanda Ravindra Bhandari (1984), Erika Maria de Souza (1987), Preeti Mankotia (1991), Pooja Batra (1993), Gayatri Anilkumar Joshi (2000), Kanwal Toor (2001), Mihika Varma (2004) and Sonali Sehgal (2006).

• Korea, Runners-up: Choi Yoo-Mi, fourth (1963); Yeum Jung-ah, second (1992); Tae-young Shon, first (2000, also Miss Photogenic); Jang Yoon-seo, second (2006); and Seo Eun-mi, first (2009, also Miss Photogenic).

Semi-finalists: Lee Hye-jin (1964), Kim Min-jin (1965), Kim Hee-ja (1968), Kang Young-sook (1974), Lee Hyang-mok (1975), Chung Young-soon (1983, also Best National Costume), Yoon Hee-lee (1988), Kim Hee-jung (1989, also Best National Costume), Kwon Jung-joo (1991), Chang Eun-Young (1993), Sung Hyun-ah (1994, also Miss Photogenic), Lee Yoo-ree (1995), Kim Jung-hwa (1996, also Miss Photogenic), Kim Ryang-hee (1997), Cho Hye-young (1998), Myong-hee Baek (2001, also Best National Costume), Yoon-joo Gi (2002, also Best National Costume), Ji –Soo Shin (2003), In-ha Kim (2004) and Park Ga-won (2007).

• Japan, Runners-up: Toshie Suda, third (1970); Kumei Nakamura, fourth (1976); Hideko Haba, fourth (1979); and Hana Urushima, second (2002).

Semi-finalists: Michiko Tagaki (1960), Kaoru Iwasaki (1962), Naoko Matsui (1964), Hiroko Sasaki (1967, also Miss Photogenic), Yoko Sunami (1968), Akemi Okamoto (1969), Reiko Yoneyama (1971), Yoko Tameshisa (1972), Miki Yaita (1973), Hideko Shigekawa (1974), Sumiko Kumagai (1975), Mayumi Kanbara (1980, also Miss Friendship), Rita Moriwaki (1981), Akemi Fujita (1983), Junko Oeno (1984), Makiko Matsumoto (1985), Rika Kobayashi (1986, also Miss Friendship), Yayoi Morita (1987), Yuki Egami (1988), Hiroko Ohnishi (1990), Miho Takata (1991), Masayo Shibasaki (1993), Tomomi Hanamura (1994), Yuka Kondo (1995, also Miss Friendship), Akiko Sugano (1996), Sayuri Seki (1997), Megumi Taira (1998), Kana Onada (1999), Kanako Shibata (2000), Hanako Suzuki (2001), Saeko Matsumi (2003, also Miss Friendship), Tamiko Kawahara (2004), Naomi Ishizaka (2005), Mami Sakurai (2006), Hisako Shirata (2007, also Miss Photogenic), Kyoko Sugiyama (2008) and Yuka Nakayama (2009).

Special Award: Tomoko Nishiki, Miss Friendship (1992).

• Thailand, Runners-up: Rhungtip Pinyo, fourth (1968, also Miss Photogenic); Usanee Phenphimol, fourth (1969); and Supuk Likitkul, first (1971).

Semi-finalists: Panarat Pisutthisak (1970), Jintana Te-chamaneewat (1973), Seenuan Attasara (1981), Kanda Thae-chaprateep (1982), Piyanuch Khamboon (2002), Pawina Bamrungrot (2003) and Vasana Wongbuntree (2006, also Miss Photogenic).

Special Award: Passorn Boonyakiat, Miss Photogenic (1988).

• Hong Kong: Runner-up: Gisella Ma Ka-wai, fourth (1967).

Semi-finalists: Ellen Wong Ai-Lane (1985, also 21st Century Fashion winner) and Grace Wong Kwan-Hing (2007, also Miss Friendship).

Special Awards: Debora Carol Moore, Miss Friendship (1981); Lam Wing-Han, Miss Photogenic (1987); Cathy Wu Kar-Wai, Miss Friendship (2002); Fu Sze-Sze, Miss Friendship (2004); Queenie Chu Wai-Man, Miss Friendship (2005); and Koni Liu Wai-Yee, Miss Friendship (2006).

• China, Runner-up: Liu Changwei, third (2008).

Semi-finalists: Wang Chan (2003, also Best National Costume), Sun Yue (2004, also Best National Costume) and Chen Qian (2006).

Special Awards: Amy Yan Wei, Miss Photogenic (2002); Yang Li, Miss Photogenic (2005); and Wang Qian, Miss Friendship (2009).

• Indonesia, Runner-up: Indri Hapsari Soeharto, second (1977).

Semi-finalist: Rahma Landhi (2007).

• Sri Lanka, Semi-finalists: Kamala Athauda (1961), Kathleen Antoinette Foenander (1964) and Aruni Madusha Rajapakse (2007).

Special Award: Yvonne Eileen Gunawardene, Best National Costume (1960, preliminary).

• Malaysia, Semi-finalists: Helen Tan Hong Lean (1961, also Best National Costume, preliminary) and Linda Lim Hong Eng (1965).

Special Award: Jennifer Foong Sim Yong, Miss Friendship (1984).

• Mongolia, Semi-finalists: Sansaramaa Luvsandoo (2001) and Sodtuya Chadraabal (2004, also Miss Photogenic).

• Taiwan, Semi-finalists: Dolly Ma (1961) and Anne Yui Fang (1962, also Best National Costume, preliminary).

• Vietnam: Truong Quynh Mai, semi-finalist (1995, also Best National Costume).

• Singapore: Chriztl D’Cruz, semi-finalist (1960).

Featured Article: RP only Asian country with Miss Int'l winners originally appeared on The Philippine Star on Oct 22 2010.

The Second Pinay Miss U

Miss Universe 1973 Margie Moran

The last time the Philippines won the Miss Universe crown was 36 years ago in 1973 when Margie Moran beat 60 other hopefuls in Athens, Greece.

On Monday, Aug. 24, the 58th Miss Universe will be chosen in the Bahamas from a field of 80-plus beauties that include our very own Pamela Bianca Ramos Manalo on whom Filipinos are pinning their hopes to bring home the country’s third Miss U crown first won in 1969 by Gloria Diaz.

(Note: ABS-CBN will air the glittering ceremonies live starting at 9:30 a.m., with a primetime telecast same night at 8 o’clock on Velvet [SkyCable Channel 53] and a replay Tuesday night, Aug. 25, starting at 8 o’clock on Studio 23.)