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LOOK: Beauty queens who made their way into Philippine showbiz
It takes more than beauty and a body to be a beauty queen. It also takes brains and a sharp wit, qualities that are arguably more important.
And then there is that rare beauty queen who has beauty, brains and wit, and talent. These beauty queens conquered both the local and international pageants, and also proved themselves as accomplished actors, comediennes and hosts.
- Gloria Diaz was the first Filipina to win the Miss Universe crown in 1969 in Miami, Florida.
Aside from her unique morena looks, what made her stand out in the pageant was her quick wit and endearing simplicity that she showcased during the Q&A portion. Asked what she would do to entertain a man from the moon who landed in her hometown, the Filipina immediately answered, "Oh! Uh, just the same things I do. I think if he has been on the moon for so long, I think when he comes over he wants to change, I guess."
A few years after winning the crown, she was launched as an actress in Celso Ad Castillo's “Ang Pinakamagandang Hayop sa Balat ng Lupa” (1974).
From there, she began her showbiz career that spanned more than four decades. Gloria became an award-winning actress and a sought-after talent whose versatility was featured in different genres of films and television shows.
Diaz still active in the entertainment industry, together with her daughter Isabelle Daza, who could totally pass as her younger self.
- Alma Concepcion was already modeling at the very young age of 15. In 1994, she was crowned Bb. Pilipinas-International while still a Tourism senior in the University of Santo Tomas.
In that same year, she appeared in her first film “Massacre Files”. This was followed by several other films and TV projects, such as Maryo J. delos Reyes' “Sa Ngalan ng Pag-ibig” which earned her a Gawad Urian Best Supporting Actress nomination, and sexy flicks like “Halik” (1998) and “Kamay ni Eva” (1999).
Today, the 39-year-old Filipina beauty is a loving mom to son Cobe and a proud restaurateur . And demonstrating that she really is multi-talented, Concepcion also recently earned her second college degree at the University of the Philippines and passed the board exam for Interior Designers.
- Charlene Gonzales-Muhlach was crowned Binibining Pilipinas-Universe in 1994 and finished 6th in the 1994 Miss Universe, where she also bagged the Best in National Costume special award.
Aside from charming her ways during the Miss Universe pageant, with her “high tide or low tide” remark after being asked how many island there were in the Philippines, Charlene also met her husband Aga Muhlach in the Binibining Pilipinas pageant where the actor served as a judge.
Soon after the pageant, she immediately embraced a showbiz career, starting with major roles in films such as “Ikaw Ang Miss Universe ng Buhay Ko” (1994), “Dyesebel” (1996), “Bilang Na Ang Araw Mo” (1996), and “Kalabog en Bosyo” (1997).
She was also the host of TV shows “Keep on Dancing” (1998-2001), “Feel at Home with Charlene” (2002-2004), and “At Home Ka Dito” (2004-2007).
Still fabulous at 40 years old, Charlene is a mother of two.
- Miriam Quiambao will always be remembered for how she self-confidently recovered after a fall during the Miss Universe pageant stage in 1999. She came in first ruuner-up, and from there, launched her showbiz career.
She had hosted GMA Network's morning show “Unang Hirit” and became even more famous for hosting the program “Extra Extra!”, which was later renamed as 'Extra Challenge,' with Paolo Bediones.
Miriam is now a mother, chef, and an athlete.
- Precious Lara Quigaman won the Miss International pageant in Tokyo, Japan in 2005, making her the fourth Filipina to bag the title after Melani Marquez in 1979.
Two years later, the morena beauty proved that she was more than looks when she demonstrated her quality as an actor in shows such as GMA Network's fantasy-serye “Encantadia” and long-running gag show “Bubble Gang”.
Lara also hosted several noontime shows and did commercial endorsements as well as TV and radio guestings.
She is now married to actor and commercial model Marco Alcaraz and a mother to a baby boy.
- Bianca Manalo won the Binibining Pilipinas-Universe title in 2009 and although she did not win the Miss Universe crown, her show business career prospered a year after her Binibining Pilipinas stint.
She immediately landed a starring role in a television series, which was followed by other TV projects and movie roles in “The Adventures of Pureza” and “Kung Fu Divas” where she was able to show her quirky side.
Bianca also became an endorser for both local and international brands. She was the first Asian woman to endorse L'Oreal Matrix.
- Venus Raj, a beauty queen from Camarines Sur, entertained the international audience with her “major, major” remark during the Q&A portion of 2010 Miss Universe, in which she placed fourth runner-up.
After the pageant, Raj started out hosting and later tried her luck in acting. She starred in comedy programs, teledramas, horror films, and other projects.
Raj is now an advocate for humanitarian causes, going around the country and visiting indigenous tribes. She also promotes local products and tourist destinations internationally.
She continues to host events such as award shows and loves to spend time with her family in Camarines Sur.
— Bianca Rose Dabu/DVM, GMA News
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