MISS INTERNATIONAL 2005 BATS FOR REFORMS IN BEAUTY PAGEANTS

Precious Lara wants to change RP beauty tilts

First posted 00:14am (Mla time) Mar 31, 2006

By Nini Valera Inquirer

Published on Page A2-1 of the March 31, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

Miss International 2005 Precious Lara Quigaman would like to see reforms in beauty tilts. “There are things I’d like to change about the Bb. Pilipinas,” Precious Lara told Inquirer in an exclusive interview. She would start, she said, with the system.

“Most people are always late, and I hate that because I’m always early. People can’t just be late and give ‘Filipino time’ as an excuse.”

There’s also the way the search is conducted, Precious Lara added. “The training is done at the Araneta Center. All the girls go there. I’d like to see searches for beautiful girls in different parts of the country. Also, the training period is so short.”

As a role model, the 23-year-old graduate of a media productions course from a university in Bristol, United Kingdom, said she wants to encourage the youth by “living a life that would inspire them.”

As a beauty queen, she said, she would not let anyone look down on her. “Just because we parade in skimpy swimwear during the pageant… [That is] for the judges to see if a contestant has a good body and how comfortable she feels about her body.”

Although there were times when she wondered if she was being exploited, she said she wouldn’t knowingly allow that to happen. She has refused to sign a contract that would have her endorse a brand of liquor, for instance. She did sign up to pitch Centrum, a multi-vitamin product that espouses the idea of being a complete person.

“That is what I want to be,” Precious Lara said. “Complete—not [taken] in bits and pieces.”
Being a beauty queen is a part of her life, she said, not the sum of it. “But I can help shape other lives because I am a beauty queen.”

ECUADOR IS MISS MESOAMERICA INTERNATIONAL ; APRIL ROSE PEREZ OF THE PHILIPPINES IS FIRST RUNNER-UP

by: Rafael Robert Delfin, www.criticalbeauty.com

MESSED UP, AND CLEARED : The Miss Mesoamerica International 2005 pageant - which was supposed to have been held in Guatemala last December 1st - had to be cancelled due to "organizational problems." The girls were advised that the pageant would resume in Guatemala in February 2006, but we all know now that it didn't happen, much to the dismay of the candidates, their supporters and the national directors.

Early last week, a notice was posted on several message boards stating that Magdalena Stahl, left, of Ecuador was selected as MMI 2005 by the pageant organizers. I didn't believe the notice, because as the national director for the Philippines, I had not received any confirmation whatsoever from Francisco Cortez, MMI's president and founder. I was able to contact Cortez three days ago and he did confirm that the notice was accurate - that Stahl is MMI 2005 and that April Ross Perez of the Philippines is the first runner-up and Aida Estrada of Guatemala is the second runner-up. When I asked Cortez why the national directors had not been informed of the results, he replied that it was "beyond his control" and that the Guatemalan organizers leaked out the information without his authorization.


Stahl will be officially crowned as MMI 2005 during the Miss El Salvador finals on April 7th: this explains why her victory photo is not yet available in the website of Miss MesoAmerica.

PRECIOUS LARA "TRAPPED" IN BINIBINING PILIPINAS CONTRACT?

By KAYE VILLAGOMEZ of Manila Bulletin

Reigning Miss International Precious Lara Quigaman has had difficulties succumbing to certain dictates set by Bb. Pilipinas management that she once refused to pose sexy for a liquor poster despite threats from Bb. Pilipinas representatives. This, Quigaman disclosed to Manila Bulletin at the press conference for her new TV ad for Centrum multi–vitamins held Thursday at Ratsky Tomas Morato in Quezon City."I even kept the letter wherein they said that they can dethrone me if I don’t do the project. Still, I stood my ground and refused to do it. Nothing happened. I wasn’t dethroned," Quigaman revealed after feeling the need to speak up occurred.The only 2005 Bb. Pilipinas titlist who was not sent to Colombia for official training, Quigaman also expressed that she did not have the power to decide which projects to take. "It all depends on the management. Sometimes I get inside the car without knowing what I will do for the day." Still, she did not question anything until the liquor ad was imposed.Quigaman hesitated to divulge her concerns but was later on convinced to tell the media her real thoughts after realizing, "there are girls who really can’t say what they want to say; I felt I didn’t want to do that liquor project so I refused. I knew I was right in doing so."When asked if people will deem her a swell–head for swimming against the current, Quigaman explained, "I’m not. I’m still the very same person before Miss International. The only reason why I don’t ride the jeep is because I get mugged by people. But if not for that, I don’t mind commuting. My friends have told me that I didn’t change at all. When they see me on TV and other beauty queen functions, they say it’s like a different person because near them, I’m still the same person they kid around with and laugh with—like a Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde persona.

"Being a Bb. Pilipinas title–holder automatically awards the winners an 18–month contract wherein, "Bb. Pilipinas gets to decide on our behalf; the same case happened with this Centrum ad, which I got to enjoy doing naman," told the 23–year-old international titlist.Quigaman was pressed to answer contract questions when the media asked her to confirm future projects specifically talks that she will be paired with Richard Gutierrez for the GMA–7 "Captain Barbell" series." People have asked me already if I am to be Richard’s leading lady for the ‘Captain Barbell’ but I haven’t been told a thing about it yet. I even asked Richard himself if I were to work with him for the project and he said he didn’t know," Quigaman said.With her management contract with Bb. Pilipinas expiring in September, Quigaman revealed she has been scouting for a manager. She has talked to Angeli Pangilinan–Valenciano of Genesis and even considered GMA Artist Center, "but nothing is concrete yet; not until my contract with Binibining is over."For the meantime, the reigning beauty queen can be seen co–hosting "Extra Challenge." "I wanted to try things out. I’m considering hosting, broadcasting and acting. By being a guest co–host in ‘Extra Challenge,’ I have the opportunity to try and see if I’m going to excel in hosting."Regarding the endorsement deal with Centrum which she shares with heartthrob Sam Milby, the international titlist said it is her first time to endorse a product "and luckily it’s one that I really use because I started taking Centrum since the day I got sick after winning Miss International."

Quigaman will be going back to China in August to finish her duties as Miss International. "I’m excited to go back there because I’ll be meeting Jackie Chan. That trip will be the last of my obligation as a titlist as the contract is about to end. Then I’ll see from there what my options are. But in case I’m really offered to do ‘Captain Barbell,’ why not? I’d love to do it."She continued, "I got to meet Richard while doing ‘Extra Challenge’ and he’s really a nice person. Wala siyang reklamo sa kahit anong challenge and I really think he is easy to get along with."Quigaman also admitted breaking up with her Britain–based boyfriend. "The relationship ended after I won Miss International but I have to clear that it had nothing to do with me winning the pageant. We’ve had problems even before Miss International, I must admit that it was part of the reasons why it ended but it’s not fair to blame my winning for it. I knew people will think that way so I wanted to clear that up."However, the doors to a new romance remain closed. "I don’t want to get into a relationship at this point. I want to built my mom a mansion first! It’s my dream for my mom so I will take advantage of the opportunities I have now, make the most of it before getting into something serious."

POSTSCRIPT TO THE BINIBINING PILIPINAS 2006 BEAUTY PAGEANT

By Jetset Alejandro , March 7, 2006

In a wild frenzy of passion that accompanied the Binibining Pilipinas 2006 beauty pageant, speculations on who will win the three titles varied from one persuasion to the other. But when the winners were announced the choices were quite predictable. Even the choice for the winner of the Binibining Pilipinas-International deserved as well based on pundits lists. This has left one of the leading contenders eating the dust so to speak. If we are to remember, Candidate Number 13’s look-alike, Ana Marie Falcon who was touted to be possible winner in a Binibini edition three years ago was also a dud in the Q and A portion, a segment of the pageant that matters most. Marie Ann Umali did just that and she kissed away her chances from winning one of the coveted titles.

It makes me wonder really of the many striking similarities of this girl from her predecessor. They have their names originating from the same name-derivate. They are both tall, Falcon is 5’11” and Umali about 5’10”. They were both called last among the semi-finalists. And they both bombed out in their answers with very simple questions. A lot of people are still debating if their answers were worth it. Well, for a grain of salt, the issue here is not really the answer. It is the way you answer the question. It is the way you have answered with confidence and gusto. If they did just that, it would have been a different ballgame.

This years’ judges of course had to face this problem. That’s why after the Question and Answer portion, they retreated to a room and discussed all the possibilities on who should be the rightful winners. Shall they give the chance to a novice? Or shall they give the title to someone who has satisfied the requisites of a particular crown. The contention for selecting the 10 semifinalists would be that these ladies who made it will all be on equal footing as to beauty, poise and personality. What separates the chaff from the grains is what is in their grey matters. Of course there are exceptions to the rule. Unfortunately for Umali, there is no person in the board who could have insisted for her inclusion in the winning circle. Unlike in the past the likes of Gloria Diaz fought tooth and sinker for the placement of Melanie Marquez as the Binibining Pilipinas - International during her time. And look what happened to Melanie. It is now part of pageant history.

Every year, the pageant becomes more and more competitive. Each girl comes prepared for the pageant. And contests like this subscribe to the prevailing contention of Darwin’s Natural Selection Principle- “Survival of the Fittest” and therefore elimination of the unfit. This just goes to show that front-runner Candidate Number 13 did not do her homework. Tall, willowy and very pretty and with a spunk that would be noticed in an international pageant, Umali failed to score where it matters most and it cost her a Binibining Pilinas crown.

As an observer to various pageants, from barangay to municipality, provincial to regional and from national to international, this is a painful learning process for Umali. Having landed 3rd runner-up in the Miss Batangas Contest where she was the most beautiful, hands down should have taken a cue from here and her handlers should have prepared her to train her sights in bigger pageant contests like the Binibini. What if they call you pageant patty? You may join all the pageants which are available for the taking. This would be a very good venue for training, for getting numb and also for getting criticized. In effect you learn from your lessons from every pageant to another pageant. You develop self-confidence in facing and meeting people. Gone are the days when joining the Binibini at first try can make you win the crown at once. Gone are those days. We are now in a globally competitive world and we must keep pace with that change. Unfortunately, Umali and her handlers failed to take this into consideration. She still has the pretty chance. What should she do? Well, go back to the drawing board. Train , undergo more training and train some more. In the next 2 or 3 years, Umali would have blossomed into a more mature and much more beautiful woman. I hope she does not follow the route of Anna Marie Falcon who is now a Francine Prieto. (Although, Francine has proven her worth in the acting arena in her recent outings.)

Lia Andrea Ramos, is another breed. Following in the footsteps of Nina and Zora (all are from UP), Lia is just like other countries’ delegate who had joined the pageant when they have already a profession to speak of. And mind you she is already an accomplished woman when she stepped into the pageant arena. She is already a woman who is completely in control of what she wants for herself. It is very obvious that Lia is training her sight to the Bb. Pilipinas-Universe crown. Most underpinnings say that she is not qualified for the Bb. Pilipinas-World title because of her age. And of course, her beauty is allegedly not fitted to the Miss International pageant. Be it an intentional thing or just purely coincidence, this woman with an enviable personality had shown what the real meaning of self-confidence. From the time she appeared into the pageant arena, she was all over. From the press presentation till pageant night, she was IT. She was the queen and no one can refute that now that she is crowned. When I say all over, I mean that even without wanting to, she always gets the attention of people. Her personality rubs on you and whether you like it or not, you are going to love this girl.

I refuse to say however, that Lia is in the mold of Nina and Zora. Or even Maricar Balagtas at that. I also refuse further the connotations that Lia is exotic, ethnic and Filipina looking. We are very fond of labeling our own countrymen. Will a Filipina who is a mestiza be not called a Filipino? These are just semantics and the Filipino just suffers from semantic communication. Lia is but a charming and enigmatic Filipina ready to conquer the Miss Universe 2006 Beauty Pageant. And I hope she gets pretty enough success in her participation as she faces formidable competition from other countries.

Ana Maris Igpit’s performance at this pageant is nothing but spectacular. She is a transformed into a vixen on the stage. There were many criticisms lodged against this girl as someone who does not deserve to win but come pageant night, she exudes an aura of sheer might and confidence. Hence, she could not be denied of a title. Had Lia been qualified for the Bb. Pilipinas-World crown, Igpit could have her take of the Universe title. Again, let me make myself clear, words like exotic, ethnic and the like are basically creating a sense of prejudice among our countrymen. It is divisive and could have prejudicial slurs among the indigenous peoples in our country. Ana Maris’ experience in the pageant circle had helped her a lot. This girl is transformed into a Goddess when she takes the center stage. Truly, her winning the different local pageants is not a fluke. Winning the region’s title is one very good reason she won. But further training honed by her new manager Rodgil added more significance. And more to this, the Karen Agustin factor seeped in. Ana Maris’ obvious confidence, oblivious to the brickbats is a very good point in case for this woman. And with the qualities of this woman, she may yet wow the judges in Poland. This time however, Ana Maris’ should learn a lesson from Karen that in every activity – be it a breakfast, lunch or dinner – those simple one’s and of course the major activities, you have to look your best. You have to be queenly all the time. And hopefully, Ana Maris’ would do us proud in Poland.

If Ana Maris’ banks on experience, training and sheer intelligence, Denille Valmonte has a vavavoom history. A product of bikini opens; she won Miss Bikini in 2003 with a 22-inch whistle bait figure trouncing all other wannabees in the sexy body arena. And yet this lady is not content of having just a sexy body. In preparation for a greater ambition, Denille enrolled at the John Robert Powers in Makati to hone her personality and develop her communication and language skills. Add to this, Denille’s facial features have greatly improved compared to her Bikini heydays. She may or she may not have undergone the knife to improve her facial appearance but what I am pointing out, this girl had made great preparations for the pageant and she absolutely made inroads immensely by winning the Bb. Pilipinas-International 2006 crown.

What are the lessons of the Bb. Pilipinas 2006 beauty pageant? Obviously, the lady who comes prepared usually wins the title. A beautiful deserving lady may be sidelined because other candidates, though not as beautiful as her may have more endearing qualities that she obviously lacks. Secondly, proper timing is one key to winning. Honed from the rigors of beauty pageant life, skilled by a serious trainer whose aim is for you to focus on a title, learning from the experiences in the past – these elements may not be a sure-fire formula to win a title in the Bb. Pilipinas, but surely it will equip you with much more things in handling life – the joys and pains that go with victories; the sufferings and humiliations that go with losing; the lessons we learned from tears; the tears of joy and the tears of failure. Be it a winner or a loser, one should learn from the experience. One should look at the experience as a continuous learning. I advice Umali to dream some more dreams and set her eyes further. I advice her to hone her skills further. For one day, she will find her own place under the bright sun of the universe.

Dabawenya tops Binibining Pilipinas 2006

By Stella A. Estremera, (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)

DAVAO CITY -- A Dabawenya wowed the crowd, earned the judges' approval, and romped off with the coveted Binibining Pilipinas-Universe 2006 crown in the Binibining Pilipinas pageant, midnight Saturday. Lia Andrea "Lian" Aquino Ramos, a BS Psychology graduate of the University of the Philippines-Diliman and alumnae of Ateneo de Davao University, bested 24 other candidates.

She is the first Bb. Pilipinas top plum winner from Davao City. Ramos was an early favorite, grabbing the two special prizes -- Miss Photogenic and Best in Swimsuit -- in the first part of the pageant. She went on to get the special prizes for Philippine Airlines (PAL) and the candidate with the "Most Beautiful Hair." She breezed through the question and answer portion, during which she was asked by Belgium Ambassador to the Philippines Gregoire Vankadis what country she would want to live in aside from the Philippines and she chose France. "I'm a self-confessed Franco-phile and I'm very much fascinated with their culture, with their language," she said.

She capped her short spiel with "C'est la vie!" the French phrase meaning, "It is the life." Her French phrase was no put on too, as she speaks French as well, having studied the language in Alliance Francaise de Manille, a French school in Makati. "I'm really so glad. But, actually, it is not sinking in yet. I'm still trying to talk to my mom in the States," Ramos said Sunday morning, admitting she was busy all morning answering text messages and phone calls. Her family is now in the US and it's a double celebration of sorts because her mother also has just passed the state board exam for nursing in California, USA. Her mother, Sally, was the former school nurse of ADDU. Her dad, Ferdinand Ramos, was a former bank executive and popular golf enthusiast and once had a golf sports column in erstwhile Ang Peryodiko Dabaw (the predecessor of Sun.Star Davao). Before the pageant, she was already a standout. There were rumors that said she is a US resident and only claimed to be from Davao. She readily dispelled this rumor when she said that she has been working in Manila for the past two years.

She works with The Asia Foundation as an assistant program officer for the foundation's law program. There, she assists two lawyers who tackle programs for judicial reforms, jail decongestion, mediation, and does research on access to justice where she gets to work with jail managers as well as non-government organizations. The Asia Foundation is a non-profit, non-government organization that supports programs in Asia that help improve governance and law, economic reform and development, women's empowerment, and international relations. She said her work in jails was among those asked of her during the pre-pageant interviews. Her aunt Tita Tagle-Aquino, who was cheering her all the time, said her exposure left a good impression on the judges making her stand out among the 24 other candidates. "Law is an option for me. But I'm more interested to do foreign service. I dream of joining the diplomatic corps," she said.

In the meantime, she added, she has to work hard for the upcoming Miss Universe pageant in May. "They (Bb. Pilipinas Foundation) are focusing on me because the Miss Universe pageant is much nearer compared to the two other pageants, the Miss International and Miss World," she said. She added that she may be brought to Colombia for further training but this is not sure yet. Asked about Davao, she said the city holds a lot of fond memories and she cannot help missing it. "I love going to the beach. I'm just a sun baby and just going to Samal with friends and family was really fun for me. I love seafood, that's what I miss most here, that is why I eat all the crabs, shrimps, panga that I can get my hands on whenever I'm there," she added. But because of work, she has not visited Davao as frequently as she would have wanted to. "I get to visit Davao because of my work. But the last time I was there for a short vacation was in November last year. So, it has been quite sometime that I haven't visited Davao," she said.

Tagle-Aquino, who acted as Ramos's guardian because her family is already in the US, said her niece has been wooed to join the Bb. Pilipinas for sometime now, but it was only last January when she finally gave in to the prodding. "In the past three years, she was really being eyed already to join the pageant because her sideline is modeling," Tagle-Aquino said. She does modeling jobs whenever she needs extra money for school. Ramos just arrived home from a vacation with her family in the US when her agent pestered her to join the Bb. Pilipinas search, her aunt said. Ramos confirmed that the invitation to join the pageant came as early as 2001. Asked why she didn't accept the invitation to join the search earlier on, she said, "I didn't feel that I was ready then. I felt that I was still very raw." "But for some reason, when the invitation was made again, some inner voice told me that I was ready for this now," she added. Her "discoverer," she said, is the same person as the one who discovered Gionnah Cabrera, the 2005 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe. Her childhood friend April Evangelista says Ramos always excelled in their class, although they were just regular teens who loved going to malls and watching movies. April admitted she and two other friends were glued to the television Saturday night as they cheered on their friend. She said that while they were schoolmates since elementary, it was only in first year high school that their "barkada" was formed.

Beauty pageant winners picked

By Armin Adina Philippine Daily Inquirer, March 06, 2006

CROWD favorites bagged the three major titles at the 2006 Binibining Pilipinas pageant held last Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.The spectators erupted in screams as Denille Lou Valmonte, 24, received the Binibining Pilipinas-International title from 2005 Miss International Precious Lara Quigaman.

Ana Maris Igpit, another crowd pleaser, was crowned Binibining Pilipinas-World by previous title holder Carlene Aguilar. She was also proclaimed Best in Long Gown.
The Binibining Pilipinas-Universe title, on the other hand, went to Lia Andrea Ramos. The 25-year-old political science graduate of the University of the Philippines also bagged numerous awards -- Miss Photogenic, Best in Swimsuit, Miss Philippine Airlines and Mane and Tail's Best Hair.

First runner-up Rosalyn Santiago, 25, earlier entered the semis when she was proclaimed Smart Texter's Choice for garnering the most number of votes cast through text.
Jeanne Bernadette

Bello, 22, completed the lineup as second runner-up. Twenty-four hopefuls competed in this year's competition.

THE PHILIPPINE PAGEANT CULTURE

Coup or no coup, beauty pageants galvanize the Filipinos and they troop to the pageant arena carrying their fanaticism that would literally cause pandemonium in the coliseum. The yearly pageant Binibining Pilipinas in search for the Philippines’ 2006 representative to the Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss International Beauty pageant is no different. At the homestretch pageant fans seem to be more in the know and heated brickbats appear on message boards sometimes becoming so irritatingly repetitious.

Beauty pageants have become ordinary and have practically become a way of life among Filipinos. Adding more color and pizzazz to the activity is the penchant of pageant fans of pitting one candidate to the other; of pitting one supporter against the other supporters. Filipino pageant fans never seem to acquire the innate objectivity of looking at beauty. They speculate. They gossip. They destroy others’ personalities. They denigrate the contest to a cockfighting mode. They scorn about the results of the pageant. They shout “lutong-macao” if they do not like the outcome of the judging. They mouth invectives. And you hear more and the more you stop them, the more they say something. Say it and you will find it in the Filipino pageant fan. Then they settle down. When the international pageant comes to the fore, you will find them either lambasting their own candidate or yet quietly supporting them through text or internet votes. And when the candidate loses, it is a heyday of brickbats and criticisms. Yet when the candidate wins, even the biggest critic sings alleluias and praises hosanna to the candidate. Some others would still exhort their bitchy tongues and say the unkindest word. “Nanalo na nga, inaalibugha pa.” But you can’t argue with victory. For victory is sweet. So the Filipino pageant fan retreats for awhile in silence, only to spring back with utter loudness and hue.

This phenomenon had become cultural. Nowhere probably in the world would you see this reaction except in the Philippines. Not even Canada who had the recent Miss Universe gloated over their victory. Only in the Philippines this happens. Even a first runner-up enjoys the adulation of the crowd with matching motorcade and confetti to boot.

The Filipinos penchant for beauty pageants might have been ingrained on them when Miss Gloria A. Diaz, a 17 year-old petite lady was crowned the first Filipino Miss Universe in 1969. Since then, the people went gaga over beauty queens. Slowly, beauty pageants were institutionalized even in the smallest political sub-unit. Pageants have become an ordinary fare for every Filipino. There is a Mutya ng Palengke, Mutya ng Ngiti, Mutya ng Busilak, Mutya ng Niyog-Niyogan and many other variations. Then, they even start so young like the Little Miss Philippines, Little Miss Barangay and the like. Filipinos loved to be called beautiful. In the days of the Conjugal Dictatorship, only the Good and the Beautiful was espoused. And practically, the great days of beauty pageants were basically rooted in the philosophy that “To be beautiful is to be great.”

Beauty pageants are political statements so to speak. In all reality, the Filipinos would like to excel in the world of beauty because it is a very good cover-up for the rotten inside of what really is happening to the country. We may be beautiful outside but rotting in the inside. Truly, the brickbats and foul-mouthing are but symptoms of a greater problem in the country and is greatly rooted out in its malevolent culture.

Dissecting our thesis further, the dissolute gay culture in the country which had been tolerated and proliferated to no end has contributed a lot to this kind of status with regards to beauty pageants. Gays are gays. They are a creative lot. Their dreams of becoming beauty queens have come into realization in gay beauty pageants. But becoming beauty queens even just gay queens is not real. And always, the effect is subliminal and is always reflected on their work. They start grooming girls to become beauty queens. They create these girls in their perceived likeness and ergo they fight for these girls when they compete because it is in their feelings that they are the ones competing. I know of someone who had groomed so many in girls in beauty pageants and comes the Question and Answer portion, he imagines being the one grilled during this segment. Philippine beauty pageants have become life itself.