Precious Lara Quigaman proves she's more than just a beauty queen

Miss International 2005 Precious Lara Quigaman is making news anew what with her daring to create and launch a national pageant, Turismo Pilipina.

Along with fellow titleholders Karen Loren Agustin, Binibining Pilipinas-Universe 2002, and Denille Lou Valmonte, Binibining Pilipinas-International 2006, the beauty queen-turned-actress formed Turismo Pilipina Charities Inc., a non-stock, non-profit organization that spearheads the Turismo Pilipina search. Lara also sits as chairperson of Turismo Pilipina.

Turismo Pilipina aims to promote local tourism in the Philippines.

“It’s really more of a personal mission and vision. After the pageant, bawat beauty queen siguro nangangarap na magkaroon ng sariling beauty pageant. There is always something na gusto nating gawin pero we cannot do kasi mahirap. Added bonus na ‘yung ma-achieve talaga ‘yun,” she told The FREEMAN in an interview last week. Lara came to town to lead the nationwide caravan of Bear Brand promoting education and nutrition. Bear Brand is her latest endorsement deal.

For Lara, physical beauty is as important as inner beauty.

“When people see that we’re beautiful on the outside, they become attracted. That’s when they listen and then we speak,” she said.

Turismo Pilipina will be held on November 14 at the AFP Theater with 75 official candidates representing the different provinces in the Philippines.

Cebu’s official candidate is Kirstie Joan Babor.

With barely one month left before the staging of the pageant itself, Lara confessed that being on top of the preparations and behind the scenes is not easy at all.

“Madugo, grabe. Nakakaloka. Akala ko mahirap na ang maging candidate. Mahirap din pala maging organizer. Pero excited ako,” she admitted.

The candidates had their first orientation last October 4 and a series of activities has been lined up for them: pictorials, VTRs, workshops and development sessions. The ladies will also tour around some of the provinces in Luzon to help promote Filipino tourism.

But Lara’s experiences in beauty pageants have helped much as she spearheads this event.

“We felt like experts kasi nga nagiging kandidata na kami. We know everything that has to be done. May mga tumutulong rin naman para ma-implement ‘yung mga plans namin,” she said.

She added, “Right now, we’re negotiating with DOT (Department of Tourism) and we’re working on the prizes and judges.”

The Turismo Pilipina 2008 winner will win P250,000 cash prize and other prizes, plus a house and lot in Villa Generosa Subdivision in Tarlac.

With the many beauty pageants in the Philippines, Lara stressed that Turismo Pilipina is different.

“We’re focusing on domestic tourism in the Philippines. The pageant is going to be festive. We’re going to revolutionize. This is the first in the many beauty pageants in the country,” she said. “We have 75 official candidates. Again, we’re not competing with Bb. Pilipinas.”

Despite the reports that said that Madam Stella Araneta, the doyenne of Bb. Pilipinas Charities—organizer of the longest-running national pageant Bb. Pilipinas—had disowned the three beauty queens for mounting such a pageant, Lara chooses to be mum about it.

“I know it’s nothing personal but it is good that I do not say anything. I still respect her, of course,” she clarified.

See how beauty pageants raise issues?

Speaking of issues, another recent beauty queen issue is the reported resignation of Bb. Pilipinas World 2008 Janina San Miguel. Due to certain reasons, Bb. Pilipinas 2008 1st runner up Danielle Castaño will represent the country in Ms. World 2008 in Johannesburg, South Africa on December 13.

Lara, herself, is surprised at the turn of events.

“Hindi pa talaga kami nag-usap ni Janina pero mabuti na rin siguro‘to. She isn’t ready and she is not that mature yet. She’s still young. As to Danielle, we will never know. Life is full of surprises,” Lara explained, citing the example of Bb. Pilipinas World 1999 Miriam Quiambao who wasn’t Philippine’s official representative at first in Miss Universe 1999. 

Well, beauty queens have their own share of stories.

But as for Lara, her story doesn’t stop after Turismo Pilipina. With the end of her stint in Wowowee and That’s My Doc, what’s the sequel of Lara’s show business career?

“There are negotiations going on right now. But for now, I like it better this way, pursuing the things that I love to do,” Lara smiled.

She now has her own beauty pageant. Her next big dream is to create a beauty school “like in Venezuela” wherein girls enroll and take courses related to beauty, fitness and personality development.

Seemingly becoming like the Philippine version of Tyra Banks—she who has made a successful crossover from being a world-famous supermodel to a top-rating host—Lara will also have her own talk show real soon. “I really hope na matuloy. Pinag-uusapan pa kasi,” she said. “I really like to deal with issues through a show. Nakaka-inspire.”