For now, let's take a quick throwback on Philippines' first (1st) runner-up beauties in Big 5 pageants. This thread also serves as a simple reminiscence on our lovely Pinay beauty queens who have shown their distinctions, enormous potential and gave the eventual winners a run for their money. A recall for the 'She could have won!' moments of Pinoys from different parts of the world.
This multilingual babe is definitely a stunner. She had big shoes to fill during her stint wherein our very own Karla Henry won a year before. She did a fantastic job during the entire course of the pageant. Sandra knows what she's doing. She's into it. Her brilliant commentaries on the photos of 'Water Pollution' being shown on the screen blew the pageant aficionados away. She's taking it seriously. She also took home Best in Swimsuit and Best in Long Gown awards. However, she fell short and settled for a runner-up position. Well, as they say, that's life. She'll be remembered as one of the best delegates that the Philippines has ever sent in an international arena.
She was one of the Top ten (10) semifinalists of Miss Philippines - Earth 2010 beauty pageant. She proved that there's always room for improvement. Two (2) years later, she came in a competitive form, more polished catwalk skills and the likes. No wonder she won the top spot and gave her the right to represent the Philippines in Miss Earth 2012. Filipinos have high hopes for her but as the pageant progresses, she has been receiving a lot of criticisms with regard to her body form prior to the finals night. "What happened Steph?", "Go to gym ASAP!" These are just some of the few comments of pageant fans after seeing her in swimsuit for the pageant's press presentation. Little by little they have seen some improvements. She has this witty personality and known for having this 'strong conviction' while responding to the question. These attributes didn't help her enough to capture the crown.
** Any of them could have been the Philippines' second (2nd) Miss Earth titleholder and 2nd multiracial Filipina queen after Karla Henry.
** It could have been the first ever back-to-back victory of the country in Big 5 pageants and duplicated Venezuela's Miss Universe triumph in the same year.
It is somehow strange to know that NO Pinay beauty queens have ever gone on placing in a first (1st) runner-up position. The second to the highest placement (other than the title itself) that the country has achieved is second (2nd) runner-up. Fortunately, two Filipinas namely, Evelyn Camus (1971) and Yolanda Dominguez (1972) have luckily placed for this position. Philippines has earned the record of twenty-four (24) placements and five (5) titles making it as second (2nd) on the leaderboard with the most number of wins.
Elegant. The only word you can think of when you see her during her participation in Miss Universe 1999. With her long torso and distinct Asian feature, Miriam wouldn't go unnoticed. That's just what happened. The way she walks and strikes a pose. Bam! She nailed it. But Miriam is not Miriam without her Uh oh! moment. Her remarkable fall during the preliminary competition was once talk of the town. During the interview round, she even associated this unwanted thing to the question being asked by Jack Wagner, "what have you stood up for recently?" She answered it with poise and calm spirit. Her response got a deafening applause from the audience and turned out to boost her self confidence. The question and answer portion has been a make or break for her. Her reply to the question was quite decent but unfortunately, it didn't cause her to win the Miss Universe title that year. A beauty from Botswana won the pageant. She could have been the most gracious Binibini ever to have won the most coveted crown.
Luck was on her side during her Binibining Pilipinas 2012 stint. Though it was her second try, she was nowhere to be found in everybody's list. She managed to emerge and win the whole thing. And yes, she has received a lot of bad criticisms towards her journey to Miss Universe crown. Apparently, she's a total downgrade to Shamcey according to some critics. Along the way, she has shown some improvements when it comes to her physical aspect. She gradually proved her bashers wrong. True enough! Prior to her international pageant stint, she's definitely in her fighting form. Her skin color, prominent cheekbones and some outstanding Filipina features made her more noticeable among other candidates. With the powerful cheer from Pinoys in Las Vegas and her remarkable catwalk skills, she continued the winning streak of the Philippines in this pageant. As they say, question and answer round is her forte. She excelled in this portion. Her response to Nigel Barker's question was the most applauded that night. Many believed that she's the ONE that Pinoys have been waiting for for almost four (4) decades. Unluckily, Olivia Culpo from USA crowned as Miss Universe 2012. She may not be the eventual winner but she proved that faith in God, determination and hardwork would go a long way.
** Any of them could have been the Philippines' third (3rd) titleholder for this pageant.
** Miriam could have fully shown/signified to the rest of the women of the world (who have fallen off or on stage) that she's an inspiration in case she was crowned as Miss Universe 1999.
** Janine could have been one of the 'most bashed' and exotic Binibinis to have won the Miss Universe title.
Evangeline earned the right to represent the Philippines in Miss World 1973 after winning Miss RP (Miss Republic of the Philippines). At the age of 18, she was easily distinguished as one of the front-runners in this pageant which was held at Royal Albert Hall, England. One of the most applauded in her batch as well. Her height played a vital role in her journey. She was just charming, elegant and graceful the whole night of the competition. She's definitely a shoo-in for the title but Marjorie Wallace from the USA got the crown. However, a certain incident happened in favor for Evangeline. Marjorie was not able to fulfill her duties as Miss World 1973. The organization reportedly offered the title for her which she politely declined. In one of her interviews, she stated: "You know, the crown was for that country. Initially, they didn't give it to the Philippines. So when Marjorie Wallace was dethroned and they were giving it to the Philippines, I thought it was stooping too low for the country if I took it because it wasn't meant for the Philippines in the first place." Pageant fanatics (especially Pinoys) raised their eyebrows upon hearing this. As they say, she wasted the chance of having the very first Miss World crown for the Philippines.
Gwen is the very first recipient of Miss World Philippines title (2011) supervised by CQ Global Quest Inc.'s Cory Quirino.. She may not look like a typical Filipina but she proves that she has what it takes to be crowned as one. With her towering height, she easily stood-out from the rest along with her outgoing and charming personality. Gwen also participated in the pageant's challenge events where she truly excelled. Here are some of her accomplishments: Top Model (2nd Runner-up), Beach Fashion (Top 20) and Beauty with a Purpose (Top 5). She was even named as Asia & Oceania's Queen of Beauty. Her speech to convince the judges why she should be the next Miss World was somehow commendable. However, she failed to get the elusive crown. Right before the coronation night ends, Ivian Sarcos from Venezuela was proclaimed as the winner.
** Any of them could have been the first ever Miss World from the Philippines prior to Megan Young's victory.
** If by chance Evangeline accepted the title, as early as 2008, Philippines could have been already completed the crowns of Big 5 pageants. It could have been a back-to-back triumph for the country as well upon winning of Margarita Moran as Miss Universe 1973 months before her coronation as 1st runner-up
Well, this is just a result of my restless imagination. We could have earned a total of fifteen (15) crowns from Big 5 pageants to date just in case all of our first (1st) runner-up beauties won their respective pageants. A runner-up position isn't bad at all. Aspiring beauty queens from different parts of the world have always wanted to get the top spot or even just a second best placement. It's still a recognition and an honor for the country. Investing so much of dedication, hardwork and determination in order to achieve one's dream are what truly matters. Having a great honor and privilege to represent one's nation. Inspiring more and more people throughout the journey whether in pageant itself or in real life.
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Credits to the owners of photos and graphic images above.
*This has been previously posted some time of May 2014 by yours truly!