No 'bad blood' between Miriam and Bb. Pilipinas people?

Could it be true that Miriam Quiambao has become swell-headed, that she has been giving not only the Bb. Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (her discoverer) but movie producers the "run-around," that she is now difficult to pin down for interviews and/or pictorials (unlike when she was "only a Bb. Pilipinas" and not yet a Miss Universe first runner-up)?

There are reports that there's "bad blood" between Miriam and the Bb. Pilipinas people who reportedly see Miriam as having "changed" after her triumph at last year's Miss Universe pageant, not anymore able to look back at, well, where she came from.

Funfare's beauty-expert quartet (Felix Manuel, Gery Yumping, Joey Caezare and Francis Calubaquib) talked to Miriam at the birthday bash for 1999 Bb. Pilipinas-International Georgina Sandico. Here's their report:

Last Feb. 28, Georgina celebrated her 21st birthday at Giligan's Island Bar and Grill located along Katipunan Ave.

Two days after relinquishing her crown (to Joanna Maria Peñalosa), George felt relieved and invigorated by the fact that she could now pursue her dream of joining show business. Showbiz blood runs in the Sandico family. George's father, Nelson, is the first cousin of Michael, Bobby and Ricky Sandico who were active in modeling and showbiz during the late '70s and '80s.

Family and close friends were around to regale the lovely celebrator. George is thankful to those who went to her party.

Incidentally, Miriam graced George's party. We were able to talk to her regarding her plans now that her reign is over and about the rumors that she's now a "swell-head."

Her absence during the press presentation of this year's official candidates last Feb. 22 at the Dusit Hotel gave rise to speculations that she and Mrs. Stella Araneta (Bb. Pilipinas Charities, Inc. Chairperson) were not in good terms, that's why Charlene Gonzalez (Bb. Pilipinas-Universe '94) and Sheila Marie Dizon (Bb. Pilipinas-Tourism '94) were the ones invited to the event.

Miriam denied the rumor that she and Mrs. Araneta were not seeing eye to eye. "I attended the final screening last Feb. 12 at the Food Dome, but they said my presence was not needed that time so I left early," she said. Regarding her non-appearance at the press presentation, Miriam said that she called the BPCI and even sent a letter to Mrs. Araneta requesting for the schedule of activities. "When I called BPCI a week prior to the said activities, I was told that there were no definite plans yet," she said.

During the press presentation, her absence was very conspicuous to everyone who graced the event. That afternoon this quartet attended the taping of Partners: Mel and Jay (shown yesterday on GMA 7) which had former beauty queens as guests, and we were surprised to see Miriam there. We asked her why she was not able to attend the press presentation earlier that day. She said that no one informed her about that day's activity, or maybe her presence was not required.

The following day, Feb. 23, Miriam was able to attend the Charity Day and Parade of Beauties at the Araneta Center, notwithstanding the fact that she was informed past midnight and that she would be coming from her home in Lagro. "I made it a point to grace the event because they requested me to do so. I would not disappoint the people who came to see me."

Now that her reign is over and done with, she plans to concentrate on her TV show Unang Hirit (GMA 7) and to further her participation in worthy causes involving AIDS Education and Children's charity. She hopes to broaden her horizon as a Physical Therapist. Miriam reiterates that she has not changed a bit despite the tremendous events in her life after the Miss Universe Pageant.

"I am still the same girl who fell down but had the courage to stand up immediately after. I am no airhead, let the Filipinos be the judge of that!"

What's up?

* Shows to watch on The National Geographic Channel: The moose stars on Moose on the Loose, tonight at 9 o'clock; a 30-foot-snake on Big Snake, 8 p.m. on March 8; Cowboys of the Far West on Paniolo O Hawaii, 7 p.m. on March 10; and a journey to the Amazon on Neblina: Strange Islands in the Sky, 8 p.m. on March 10.