Filipina Beauties Who Placed in Miss World: Part One

Vivien Lee Austria 

Miss World may have started in 1951 with Kiki Haakonson of Sweden, crowned as the first winner but it was only in 1966 when the Philippines debuted in the pageant with Vivien Lee Austria also known as Princess Emraida Kiram, a real- life Muslim princess as our country’s first official bet. 

She was selected by the College Editors Guild of the Philippines   to represent the Philippines for the first time in the 1966 Miss World beauty competition in London, England.

Here now is the list of Filipina beauties that placed or won special awards in the 63 year old Miss World Pageant. We're also including some controversial beauties in the list

The list is in chronological order:

1968     Cecilia "Pinky" Amabuyok  holds the distinction of being the first Filipina to place in the pageant. She was 4^th runner up. She created a media frenzy when she reportedly shared that she was a novice who escaped from the nunnery to join the pageant. It turned out to be pure speculations

FOUR CONSECUTIVE PLACEMENTS

Our Pinay delegates to Miss World greeted the 70's decade with a Top 15 placement for Minnie Cagatao.  Her remarkable performance was duplicated by the country's next three bets with the high point provided by Evangeline Pascual who placed a close second to eventual winner Marjorie Wallace. Our bet in 1971 Onelia Jose may not have made the Top 15 but won a special award hence her inclusion.

1970 - Minerva 'Minnie' Cagatao was a svelte long- haired top Philippine model who placed in the Top 15 semi-finals. 

Minnie with a very young Julia Morley

1971 - Onelia Ison Jose may not have made the Top 15 but she is  the first to win the Best National Costume award for the Philippines.  

Onelia Jose in her winning Fililpiniana

1972 - Evangeline Reyes made the Top 15 in London. One of the semifinalists that year was Lynda Carter of the United States who later became more famous than the 1972 winner when she became TV’s iconic  “Wonder Woman.” 

Evangeline Reyes is second from left

1973 - Evangeline Pascual gave the Philippines its highest position since it first participated in Miss World 8 years before. There was a tie for the crown between Miss Philippines and Miss United States. American actor and pageant judge Gregory Peck reportedly broke the tie in favor of Marjorie Wallace.

 

After Marjorie was dethroned due to undisclosed reasons, the crown was offered to Vangie. She reportedly turned it down

1976 - Josephine “Joy” Salazar Conde became the first Filipina to withdraw from an international beauty pageant.  

The 1976 pageant that turned out to be the last edition of Miss Republic of the Philippines is famously known for having attracted a batch of top- caliber beauties who would later on foray successfully in movies and in international modeling.  

Her runners up were Elizabeth Oropesa (1972 Miss Luzon), an award-winning actress, Anna Bayle (1975 Miss Luzon), the first Asian supermodel, and Bessie Badilla (1975 2nd Runner-up), international model and the first Filipina to be selected as Carnival Queen in Brazil's famous annual Mardi Gras.

 

Imagine her frustration and disappointment when she was requested by the Philippine government to boycott the pageant as a show of support of the country’s stand against South Africa’s apartheid or race policies. In those days, South Africa sent one white and one black candidate to the pageant.

The following day, Joy made it into the front page of UK newspapers, garnering more attention than the Miss World winner herself.

1977 - Ana Melissa 'Peachy' Ofilada Veneracion was the first titleholder of the Mutya ng Pilipinas- World crown and just like Joy Conde her predecessor,  she was also forced to withdraw because of South Africa’s dual presence in the pageant.  What made her withdrawal heartbreaking was the fact that she was the heavy favorite to win it all. 

 

 Four of the Magic Five came from this group 

Today, she is known as Peachy of Carousel Productions, the outfit behind Miss Philippines Earth and Miss Philippines

1978 - Louvette Monzon Hammond marked the Philippines’ return to the Miss World pageant after a two-year boycott against apartheid. 

Pressure from the international media and national governments, South Africa finally withdrew from the pageant in 1978 thus paving the return of the Philippines to the pageant

1982 - Sarah Jane Coronel Areza entered the Top 15 semi-finals and won the special title of Continental Queen of Asia.

1986 - Sherry Rose Austria Byrne also placed in the Top 15 semi-finals and winning the Continental Queen of Asia title.

 

For more Miss World features, here's the link:

 2013 Miss World Special Coverage

Coming Up: Part Two

Photo Credits:

Tony Paat & Others  

Copyright infringement not intended  

Miss Bohol Sandugo Without Raul Gatal

As emcee for some of Bohol's most prestigious beauty competitions and high- profile events, I cannot avoid being the subject of intense scrutiny and sometimes, malicious talks that undermine my capability to host and question my professionalism and alleged "unholy alliance" with some candidates

I am reprinting here an interview with lifestyle columnist Leo Udtohan that got published in one of our community newspapers in Bohol  

MISS BOHOL SANDUGO WITHOUT RAUL PHILLIP GATAL

by Leo Udtohan

Is he or isn’t he? Talks are swirling that perennial pageant host Raul Phillip Gatal is not hosting this year’s edition of Miss Bohol Sandugo after allegations of favoritism and bias towards certain candidates surfaced after the Miss Tagbilaran 2010 pageant had been concluded.

Twenty years after he emceed in 1990 his first Miss Bohol Sandugo pageant won by Tiffany Yap of Jagna who incidentally was the winner also of the first major pageant he emceed, the 1989 Campus Girl Quest, Raul is still at it and on top of the game as pageant emcee but with the recent turn of events, he just might bid goodbye to a colorful and illustrious hosting career within the tumultuous yet glamorous world of pageantry. 

Photo above shows your blogger during his second hosting gig for Miss Earth when the international pageant went to Bohol for its pre- pageant in 2005. The first was in 2002

He has been Bohol’s top male emcee for 20 years and that bespeaks of his durability, longevity and endurance.

with Miss Philippines- Fire 2005 Shiela Alonso during the
2005 Miss Earth Preliminary Talent Contest held at the MetroCentre Hotel
Tagbilaran City, Bohol, October 13, 2005

Let us wait with bated breath if indeed Raul will still be hosting this year’s Miss Bohol Sandugo or not.

WILL YOU BE HOSTING THIS YEAR’S MISS BOHOL SANDUGO OR NOT?

I would rather not say anything. Let’s just adopt the wait and see attitude. Let’s find out on July 23 if I would still be the emcee or not. Let the organizers and the viewing public decide if I should still be up there with the girls or make a graceful exit already.

during the 2009 Miss Tagbilaran Pageant

ANYTHING TO SAY ABOUT THE CONTROVERSY?

I have one word to say about my detractors: Sourgrapes. I believe that they would be singing a different tune had their bets won. 

By the way, these things, meaning these intrigues, always surface year in and year out because we take our pageants in Bohol seriously. 

With regards to their allegations, do they have proof? What is their basis? They can actually be sued because they have besmirched my reputation already. 

In fact, I am hurting form all their innuendos. The sad thing is I don’t even know who I’m dealing with. I would like to address their hallucinations point by point:

1. I confirmed my hosting stint for the 2010 Miss Tqgbilaran pageant just two days before the pageant because I was supposed to go to Hong Kong on the pageant date for the Channel 21 Star World Hollywood VIP Access Co- Host Search Final Audition where I was one of the 50 Finalists. So how can I possibly have access with the candidates?

2. With regards to the allegation of bias and favoritism and leakage of questions, I admit that we (Carleen Yap, my co- host and I) briefed the girls on the possible questions that might be asked during the Casual Interview but to say that we spoonfed the girls with the answers is too much because we’re very spontaneous with what we ask. It would also be an insult to the girls because most of them were amazing, candid, and articulate

3. During the Final Interviews, it was my co- host who asked the final questions. I just announced the names of the finalists. 

4. I have nothing to gain but everything to lose if I do anything stupid. Why would I risk the reputation and credibility that I have built up and protected for the past 20 years?

5. So even if I favor a certain candidate, I just keep it to myself to maintain neutrality and professionalism. Let me remind everyone that the emcee cannot influence the judges with regards to whoever would be crowned as the queen. 

Who am I? Am I that powerful? I’m just the emcee who tries to liven up the pageant. 

To be honest , being a pageant host is a thankless job because we can’t please everyone and because recognition and appreciation for our efforts in coming up with a great show has always been elusive.

the controversial Q & A with Fer Mary Baliquig
during the 2010 Miss Tagbilaran Beauty Pageant

YOUR REACTION THAT THE SHOW WANTS A FRESH, YOUNG AND NEW HOST?

I’ve always believed that no one is indispensable and that includes me…I am always on the look out for younger, fresher and newer talents so that they can be given the same opportunities that I have been given..

HAVE YOU FOUND YOUR HEIR APPARENTS?

We actually have a lot of new talents who only need a little push and guidance. 

I always base my choices on potential and not on performances…

To mention a few, we have Mike Montanez, Ferome Jusgorge Almine and Kristofer Ferniz…

MOST MEMORABLE PAGEANTS HOSTED?

The 1989 Miss College of Arts & Sciences of the then- DWCT now Holy Name University (where I now teach English & Mass Communication subjects) for two reasons; One, it was my very FIRST pageant hosting job and two, because it was with one of my favorite co- hosts, Fiel Angeli Araoarao Gabin, Miss Tagbilaran 1987

The 2002 Miss Earth Pre- Pageant is also memorable because more than 60 international beauty delegates from around the world participated thus earning for me the distinction of being the first and only Boholano to have hosted an international beauty pageant. 

This was followed by the 2005 Miss Earth Talent Competition held again here in Bohol.

hosting the 2009 Miss Bohol Sandugo Pageant with PBB Housemate Cathy Remperas

NUMBER OF PAGEANTS HOSTED?

I have lost count already but I was able to host Miss Tagbilaran for ten times , the Miss Bohol Sandugo for eight times and the Miss Bohol International twice

during the 2010 Miss Tagbilaran Pageant with
Carlene Angelica P. Yap, 2009 Miss Bohol International

MOST UNFORGETTABLE BEAUTY QUEEN?

Who could ever forget Talie Tallo- Inting? The beauty queen- turned- lawyer would always be remembered for her charm, candor and confidence during the 1997 Miss Tagbilaran Q & A. 

When asked why she wanted to be a lawyer, she wittily replied” 

I want to be a lawyer because I love to argue with people especially if I know that I’ve already won the argument. Want to argue with me, Raul?” 

Talie was eventually crowned Miss Tagbilaran and Miss Bohol Sandugo that same year

PAGEANT EMCEEING MEMORIES

with Miss Universe 1999 1st RU Miriam Quambiao
who crowned the 1999 Miss Bohol International

FIRST PAGEANT HOSTING GIG

The 1989 Miss College of Arts & Sciences would occupy a special place in my heart of hearts for it was the very first pageant that I emceed, my baptism of fire so to speak.

Sharing equal billing with me was the very eloquent and ethereal Miss Tagbilaran 1987 Fiel Angeli Araoarao now Mrs. Jerome Gabin.

It was to be the first of so many successful stints for our emceeing tandem

It was followed in December that year with the 1989 Campus Girl Quest, an inter- school personality search won by Tiffany Yap of Bohol Wisdom School 

The 1991 Miss Divine Word College Search proved to be a long wait for its candidates and emcees. We had to wait for one whole year because the campus beauty tilt scheduled on February 1990 had to be cancelled after an earthquake struck Bohol on the eve of the contest. 

YEARS THAT I EMCEED MISS BOHOL SANDUGO

I have emceed ten (10) editions of the Miss Bohol Sandugo Pageant as indicated below with winners included:

YEAR                NAME                               AREA REPRESENTED

1990                Tiffany Yap                         Jagna 

1996                Laianne Reyes Canoy            Maribojoc

1998                Josely Yap Ferniz                 Bilar

2000                Mellanie Wallace                  Calape

2001                Vanessa Cadorna *                Duero

2002                Cherry May Bacarro              Dimiao

2008               Joy Marie Maglajos                Catigbian

2009                Daisy Jean Quilicot              Tagbilaran City

2010                Amir Paraguya Sol                Tubigon

2011                Farah Mian                           Tubigon

YEARS THAT I EMCEED MISS TAGBILARAN

Hosted 10 editions of the Miss Tagbilaran Pageant:

YEAR          NAME 

1993           Sophia Lorraine Alvarez

1996           Fragelle Tejano

1997           Socorro d Marie Tallo Inting

1999           Marime Marapao

2000           Mutya Zamora

2001          Jaclyn Joy Yam

2002          Costie Jephilin Besas

2008          Ruby Crissanie Mejos

2009          Daisy Jean Quilicot

2010          Fer Mary Baliquig

I have emceed also the following pageants that have the "international" word:

INTERNATIONAL PAGEANTS

1999 Miss Bohol International Press Conference & Talent Night

2003 Miss Bohol International Pageant Night

2006 Miss Bohol International Pageant Night 

2003 Miss Bohol Intl: Maya Galvan                     2006 Miss Bohol Intl: Loida Lagonoy

TWO EDITIONS OF MISS EARTH

2002 Miss Earth Pre- Pageant, Bohol Tropics Resort and participated by 58 beauty delegates from all over the world

2005 Miss Earth Preliminary Talent Competition, MetroCentre Hotel and participated by more than 20 international beauty delegates

with enchanting Miss El Salvador Irma Dimas during the BQ Mall Press Conference 

with Miss USA Amanda Kimmell a Top Eight Finalist in Miss Earth 2005

With the eventual Miss Earth 05 winner la simpatica senorita Alexandra Braun 

who was very sweet and warm on and off the stage

hosting the Preliminary Talent Competition with 2005 Miss Philippines- Fire Shiela Alonso 

with Bohol's First Lady & patroness of the arts Madame Pureza Chatto presenting a 

floral bouquet to Miss Zambia Cynthia Kanema who was declared one of the Best Five Talents

Miss Talent Top Five: L-R: Miss Peru, Miss Ecuador, Miss Macau, Miss Tokelau & Miss Zambia

MUNICIPAL PAGEANTS IN BOHOL

I thank God for giving me the opportunity to emcee the most prestigious municipal pageants in Bohol such as the following: 

Miss Alburquerque, Miss Valencia, Miss Jagna, Miss Pilar, Miss Bilar, Miss Batuan, Miss Duero, Miss Baclayon, Miss Calape, Miss Dauis, Miss Loboc, Miss Catigbian, Miss Inabanga and Miss Panglao

OTHER SPECIAL PAGEANTS

Imagine my pleasant surprise when yours truly and Pureza Chatto now Bohol First Lady were invited by our Alma Mater Holy Name University to emcee the Golden Jubilee Queen Coronation which highlighted our school's Golden Jubilee 

Another highlight of my pageant emceeing was the Coronation Ball of the Centennial Queen of Circulo Boholano de Cebu to celebrate their 100th founding anniversary. 

My emceeing partner was the 2004 Ubi Festival Queen of Bohol and 2004 Miss Bohol Sandugo, the very classy and very eloquent Rhiz Nova Arenas

2004 Miss Bohol Sandugo Rhiz Nova Arenas is one of my favorite emceeing partners

Note: The years may have dimmed the memories so please accept my apologies if I may have overlooked some of the municipal pageants that I have emceed