Meet the First Married Miss Universe Contestant

The Miss Universe Organization has made the pageant more inclusive by allowing married women and mothers to join the world's most prestigious beauty competition.

The first married contestant 

in Miss Universe history

But did you know that a married contestant has competed alreadu and it happened during the first Miss Universe Pageant in 1952. She was India's delegate by the name of Indrani Rahman, 22, married, and the mother of a five-year old daughter. 

Her participation caused an uproar not only because she was married but also because she was Moslem and was accompanied by her husband to the contest. Did they share the same room during the entirety of the pageant duration? 

Apparently, the organizers couldnt turn her away as rules weren't firmly in place that time. And it didnt hurt also that she was half American care of her mom. 

Although she didn't place, she went on to carve a successful career as  classical dancer of Bharata Natyam, Kuchipudi, Kathakali and Odissi, which she popularised in the west, and later settled in New York in 1976. 

Later, she joined her mother Ragini Devi's company. She popularised the Indian classical dance form, Odissi during her international tours. 

Indrani had received the Padma Shri in 1969 and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in the performing arts and also the Taraknath Das Award.

The trailblazing woman is one prime example of how the Miss Universe Pageant becomes a stepping stone to careers outside pageantry.

Bohol’s Katherine Topsnik Is Binibining Silka 2023!

Finally, after 15 long years, a Boholana wins the Binibining Silka title. Katherine Topsnik, 20, who traces her roots in Guindulman, Bohol was crowned Binibining Silka 2023 after she bested a field of 12 regional winners during the pageant’s coronation night at the New Frontier Theater in Quezon City on Sunday. Ms. Topsnik was also selected as Best in Evening Gown. 

Katherine Topsnik 

Aside from the P500,000 cash prize, Ms. Topsnik will be Silka’s brand ambassador for 15 months and gets the chance to join an acting workshop. 

She will also get a co- hosting stint in ABS CBN Regional Events, an acting stint in iwantTFC, Star Cinema movies, and a role in an ABS CBN teleserye. 

As Bb. Silka 2023, she will also guest co- host Dear MOR as Bb Silka 2023, become a guest VJ in MYX (One Music live) and will be featured in an article in Metro. Style. 

Q & A of Katherine Topsnik in Central & Eastern Visayas 

regional search

Named 1st RU and Best in Swimsuit was Abegail Jenn Mulder of Southern Mindanao who also won a P300,000 cash prize while Beamae Sumulong of Southern Tagalog was 2nd runner-up and received the Best in Regional Costume special award and also voted as Ms. Popular Choice. 

L-R: 2nd RU, Bb Silka 2023 1st RU

Rounding out the list of the top seven were Abegail Arnold (Central Luzon), Verily Aquino (NCR), Liza Marie Ruiz (Western Mindanao) and Christine Ovilla (Bicolandia) Other special award winners: Miss Congeniality: Liza Marie Ruiz (Western Mindanao) and Best in Casual Wear: Verily Aquino (NCR)

 

Katherine is no stranger to beauty pageants. She was voted by the media as one of the three Darling of the Press winners in the 2022 Mutya ng Pilipinas pageant and was a finalist in the inaugural edition of Hiyas ng Silangan 2022. 

She earned the right to compete in the national finals after winning the Central Eastern Visayas regional preliminary. 

Starting out as a promotional event for Silka products in 2008 that later on expanded into an annual nationwide search for Silka image models and product endorsers, the beauty search had its last staging in 2019 before the pandemic. 

The Miss Silka crown has been elusive to Boholana beauties. It was in 2012 when a Boholana finally entered the winning circle with Karen Mortreaux of Anda named as 3rd Runner Up and followed by the top ten finish of Quir Nicole Maghuyop in 2013. 

The closest that Bohol got to winning the crown was in 2015 when Geraldine Topsnik placed a strong 1st Runner Up. Incidentally, Geraldine and Katherine are siblings and are the highest placed siblings in Miss Silka history. 

2015 1st RU and 2023 Bb Silka 

Topsnik Sisters

Sue Ramirez, Robi Domingo, and Miss Grand International 2016 1st runner-up Nicole Cordovez served as hosts while OPM singer Maki and KD Estrada performed at the event.

 

Among the more famous of the former contestants and titleholders are Bb. Pilipinas International 2022 and Miss International 2023 3rd Runner Up Nicole Borromeo, Miss Aura International 2021 Alexandra Faith Garcia, Bb. Pilipinas Globe 2022 Chelsea Fernandez and Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental 2022 Gabriela Basiano