Famous Filipina Beauty Queens
The Philippines has produced many international beauty queens, including one Miss America, four Miss International and two Miss Universe title winners. The Philippines hosts the annual Binibining Pilipinas pageant, which selects delegates to attend Miss International, Miss World, Miss Universe and other pageants. Many famous Filipina beauty queens have used their success for philanthropic efforts and to pursue successful acting careers as well as higher education.
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Miss Universe
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In 1969, 18-year-old Gloria Diaz made beauty pageant history by becoming the first Filipina to be crowned Miss Universe at the pageant in Miami Beach, Florida. While Diaz was not an early favorite in the competition, her engaging personality, stage presence and lean figure attracted the attention of the judges. Following her victory, Diaz pursued a career in television and film and enjoyed a successful career in the Philippines. Margie Moran, the only other Filipina Miss Universe, received the title in 1973 in Athens, Greece, before moving on to an entrepreneurial career, managing a hotel and resort on Samal Island. Other notables such as 1999 runner-up Miriam Quiambao have continued to bring the Philippines into the pageant spotlight.
MIss International
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Relative to other major beauty pageants, the Philippines has been most successful in taking home Miss International titles. Four Filipina women have received the honor, beginning in 1964 with Gemma Cruz, who took the 1964 crown and donated her prize winnings to nonprofit organizations caring for underprivileged and at-risk Filipino children. Aurora Pijuan, the 1970 Miss International, went on to focus on building a family and supporting numerous philanthropic causes. The 1979 winner, Melanie Marquez, is notable for her subsequent career as a trainer to other beauty contestants, a producer and an actress. The most recent winner is Precious Quigman, a woman highly educated in Media Production and Communications at the United Kingdom's Filton College, who was named Miss International 2005 in Tokyo, Japan. Quigaman has worked as a freelance web writer while pursuing a career in acting and celebrity endorsement.
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Miss World
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While no Filipina woman has taken home a Miss World crown, several have taken prestigious runner-up positions. Evangeline Pascua, who was named first runner-up in the 1973 pageant, was later offered the crown when Marjorie Wallace was dethroned but customarily refused the title. Ruffa Gutierrez also received a second runner-up title in the 1993 pageant. The most recent Filipina to receive a Miss World runner-up position was Maria Karla Rabanal Bautista, who was subsequently crowned Asia & Oceania's Queen of Beauty in 2004. The Binibining Pilipinas pageant continues each year to select promising contestants for the Miss World competition.
Miss America
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As of 2011, the only woman of Filipino heritage to be crowned Miss America is Angela Perez, a Hawaiian native who received the crown in October of 2000. While the Miss America pageant includes evening wear and swimsuit competitions, it is unlike traditional beauty pageants in that it places a greater emphasis on personal and professional achievement and civic responsibility. After winning the crown, Angela launched a speaking tour to promote "Character in the Classroom: Teaching Values, Valuing Teachers." Her achievements have allowed her to meet Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroy and U.S. President George W. Bush.
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References
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