A Grand Slam for Filipina Beauty Queens in International Pageants
Filipino women now hold the titles in every major international beauty pageant, after Megan Young, a 23-year-old Filipino-American who was born in the US, was crowned Miss World 2013 during the coronation night held in Bali, Indonesia on September 28, 2013. The latest win by Young means the Philippines became among the first countries in the world to achieve a grand slam in international beauty pageants.
Young became the first representative from the Philippines to win the title in 62 years, after Gwendoline Ruais placed second to Ivian Sarcos of Venezuela in 2011. Actress Ruffa Gutierrez placed 2nd runner-up to Miss World 2003 Lisa Hanna of Jamaica. In 1973, Evangeline Pascual was the first runner-up in the 1973 Miss World contest.
Young was earlier disqualified from the 2013 Binibining Pilipinas contest (the screening body for Miss Universe contest) because of her nude photos that appeared on a men's magazine in 2012. She was accepted to join the Miss World Philippines contest and won.
Also on September 7, 2013, Mutya Johanna Datul, a 21-year-old lass from Isabela province, became the first Filipino woman and Asian to win the Miss Supranational beauty pageant held in Belarus.
Filipinas or Pinays now own the titles in the four major beauty pageants, including Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss International and Miss Earth.
In the Miss Universe contest, Gloria Diaz won the crown in 1969 while Maria Margarita Roxas Moran won it in 1973. There were near misses, by Lalaine Bennett who placed third runner-up in 1963; Rose Marie Singson Brosas who placed Fourth Runner Up in 1975 Miss Universe; Maria Rosario Rivera Silayan, third runner up in 1980 Miss Universe; Maria Desiree Erese Verdadero, third runner up in 1984 Miss Universe; Charlene Mae Gonzalez, 6th in the 1994 Miss Universe; Miriam Redito Quiambao, first runner up in 1999 Miss Universe; Maria Venus Bayonito Raj, fourth runner-up in the 2010 Miss Universe; Shamcey Gurrea Supsup, third runner Up in 2011 Miss Universe; and Janine Mari Raymundo Tugonon, first runner-up in 2012 Miss Universe.
Four Filipino women were crown Miss International. They include Gemma Cruz, the 1964 Miss International; Aurora McKenney Pijuan, 1970 Miss International; Mimilanie Laurel Marquez, 1979 Miss International; and Precious Lara San Agustin Quigaman, 2005 Miss International.
Those who nearly won the Miss International pagent include Evelyn Santos Camus, second runner up in 1971; Yolanda Adriatico Dominguez, second runner up in 1972; and Maria Elena Suarez Ojeda, fourth runner up in 1973.
Meanwhile, Karla Paula Ginteroy Henry won as the 2008 Miss Earth, a beauty contest usually held in the Philippines.
Four Filipino women won in the Miss Asia Pacific International contest. They include Maria del Carmen Ines Zaragoza in 1982, Gloria Aranas Dimayacyac in 1983, Lorna Villanueva Legaspi in 1989 and Michelle Zulueta Aldana in 1993.
Maricar Manalaysay Balagtas became the first Filipino to win the Miss Globe International title in 2001.
Maria Esperanza Manzano won as Miss Tourism International in 2000 while Rizzini Alexis Gomez achieved the feat in 2012.
Justine Vinluan Gabionza won as Miss Tourism Queen International in 2006. Cecille Deltette was crowned Miss University in 1986. Noella Mae Evangelista was 2003 Queen of Tourism International while April Love Antolo Jordan was the 2009 Beauty of the World.
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