Nina Ricci Alagao: She would smell just as sweet

She could have been called, why not, Christiana Dior or Donna Karan or Calvinita Klein or Giorgia Armani or Gianna Versace. Just like a rose, called by any other name, Nina Ricci Alagao would, yes, smell just as sweet.

So what's in a name?

"What matters is not what your name is," smiles the reigning Bb. Pilipinas-Universe, the first for the new millennium, "but what you are and what you do."

Nina Ricci is a level-headed girl. The Bb. Pilipinas-Universe crown is on her head, all right, but she hasn't let it go into her head. Ten minutes into your first meeting with her and you'll notice it. She's as natural as natural can be; nothing put-on whatsoever.

At the Trattoria Uno Italian restaurant at the third level of Ali Mall in Cubao, Quezon City, where this Conversation was held last Holy Wednesday, the day before she flew to Cyprus for the Miss Universe Pageant (finals will be on May 13, Saturday, to be covered live by RPN 9), Nina Ricci answered questions matter-of-factly, straight-forwardly, looking at you with all sincerity and honesty without the pretentiousness of most beauty queens who move around as if insulated from the rest of humanity.

In fact, Nina Ricci's personality is so pleasant, she's so lovable that she makes you feel like a long-lost friend on your first meeting. She saw an old friend seated on a table with a group across the room and it was she who greeted her first. A natural singer, she hummed a Carpenter song during lulls in the conversation and, upon being complemented on her good singing voice, launched into the song louder now, holding an imaginary microphone as if she was in the spotlight onstage.

These qualities should serve her well at the Miss Universe Pageant and, who knows, Nina Ricci might bring home the crown that has proved elusive to a Philippine candidate for 27 years now (the last time the country won was in 1973, with Margie Moran besting more than 80 candidates in Greece).

"I'm going to Cyprus with the thought that I'm going to just enjoy myself," said Nina Ricci. "If you go there with your mind focused on competing, it might cramp your style. That happened during the Bb. Pilipinas Pageant. I simply enjoyed myself, I didn't think of it as a competition."

You were named after Nina Ricci...

...Yes, the perfume! I have a brother who's named Troy -- after Helen of Troy. My other brother is named Joel. I'm the middle child. Joel is 24, Troy is 21. I'm turning 23 on May 28.

Your birthday celebration could be a victory celebration.

(Keeping fingers crossed) I hope, I hope!

Those who watched the pageant said that you were confident all throughout. Were you sure that you would win?

Hmmmmmm. It was more of being hopeful than expectant. My mindset was to look at the whole thing as a fashion show, not a competition. During every press presentation, however, I was very nervous but I prayed so hard that on the pageant night, I would be relaxed, composed. My prayers worked, actually. From the start of the pageant to the end, I didn't feel nervous at all; I was so relaxed.

Of course, all the (27) contestants were eyeing the Bb. Pilipinas-Universe crown. What about you?

I actually had Cyprus in mind.

Cyprus?

Yeah, Cyprus! Because I knew that the Miss Universe Pageant was going to be held in Cyprus. Since I was small, I've always wanted to go to Greece, or somewhere around that area. I have always been fascinated by Greek mythology. I'm happy that I won the title because now my dream will be fulfilled.

Did you take up mythology in college?

I did, in high school. At the Philippine High School for the Arts in Mt. Makiling.

In Mt. Makiling?

Yeah, in Mt. Makiling (Laguna). It's a wonderful place.

Did you have to take a qualifying exam to be accepted in that school?

Exactly! It was a full scholarship. After high school, I enrolled at the UP College of Fine Arts.

Have you always been interested in painting?

Since I was small. My father kasi is a frustrated artist. He paints well, but he's not doing it professionally. As early as age 5, my father was already painting. I remember that since I was small, he has been teaching us perspectives, highlights and application of colors. Mga basics. I grew up loving it. (During the Bb. Pilipinas "talent portion," Nina did a sketch of Charo Santos on the spot. She won the Miss Talent special award. - RFL)

You must have had a colorful childhood -- literally.

(Breaking into smile) Yeah. But no "blues" whatsoever.

Can you describe your childhood?

Well, being the only girl, I was very boyish. Tomboyish. Whatever my brothers wore, I wore, too. Sandals and shorts.

Did you also play the games your brothers played?

Yeah, I did! But I also have my Lego and Barbie dolls.

Did you grow up in the province?

Oh, I was born in Las Piñas and I stayed there until I was 11. I started living on my own when I turned 12. That was when I enrolled at the school in Mt. Makiling.

Oh, so you learned how to be independent at an early age.

Yeah, I've been living independently since then. I've been on my own for years now.

You've been trained that way, 'no?

Yeah!

What about your brothers?

My kuya (Joel) went to the same high school and the same college.

It's ironic that you, the only girl among the siblings, would be the one to live independently.

Actually!

Was it a matter of choice or due to force of circumstances?

I think it's fate. It taught me discipline and independence. We stayed for four years inside the dormitory in Mt. Makiling. In college naman, we had to stay in the boarding house near the school because we lived in Las Piñas.

Your parents must have trusted you so much for them to allow you that kind of a lifestyle.

Oh, very much, very much! And I thank them for that.

Until now, you're still living independently from your family.

Yes. I keep an apartment in Salcedo Village (Makati). My younger brother (Troy) is staying with me. I'm the one supporting him and sending him to school. I've been supporting him for three years now.

Are you a working student?

During the later part of college. I graduated in 1997. I've been working as a freelance model and a make-up artist.

You project very well onstage. Maybe because you're a model.

And because I'm basically a happy person.

You were even singing almost throughout the pageant.

I kept on singing. Even when I won the crown, kanta pa rin ako nang kanta. Everybody else was crying and I was singing. Ginawa ko raw videoke 'yung pageant, sabi nila.

You're a very positive person.

Yeah. Very much, very much! I'm sure you can see that in me.

And you answered the two questions with confidence. Do you still remember how you answered the question during the semi-finals?

The question was asked by Richard Gomez (one of the judges). "If you found out that your boyfriend was gay, what would you do and why?" "I would set him up on a date to celebrate his femininity." I was alluding to Miss Botswana's (now Miss Universe) answer during the Miss Universe Pageant.

Do you have a boyfriend?

(No comment)

Okay. Supposing you have a boyfriend and you discover that he's gay. What will you do?

It's gonna be the same response. I'm gonna set him up on a date. I will even give him a make-over. Remember, I'm a make-up artist. (Breaking into laughter).

You'll turn him into a girl?

Not exactly. It would just be my expression of happiness that he confided to me that he's gay, that he's being honest. What better way to show him that I appreciate his honesty?

Will it affect your love for him?

Well, maybe my love will shift from romantic to just brotherly.

What if you catch him in bed with another man?

Then, I would really be disappointed. I'd rather that he'd tell me first before I'd catch him in the act.

And what was the question asked of the five finalists?

"How would you pursue your dreams and be successful in a fast-changing world of the new millennium?"

And your answered?

I actually connected it to my first answer. I said, "It's not very difficult for someone who's very receptive to new ideas. All you have to do is be on the lookout for what is new and always be on guard for things to come because just when you thought technology was at its peak, there's more to come."

Wow, verbatim! And the winner is...

I fairly remember my answer because when I was quoted by the papers, they didn't get everything right.

You're not only positive and independent and intelligent, you're also broad-minded. How did you acquire this broad-mindedness?

Well, from the training at home. My family is very Filipino -- you know, we defend each other. We're not the kind who keep saying "I love you" to each other but we do love each other very much.

A middle-class family?

Actually, below middle-class pa. But we're okay.

You know, one time, after the press conference for Regine Velasquez's (recent) concert at the Araneta Coliseum poolside, I saw you get off a cab, alone, clad in casuals.

(Breaking into a friendly smile) You have to remember that poverty shouldn't get in the way of proper breeding and quality education. It didn't get in my way.

When you started mixing with people in high society (and the social-climbers), didn't you develop any inferiority complex?

I actually did, in the beginning. But I realized that it's not really what defined a person. What counts is who you are, your character and your personality. Everything else but poverty.

Was the Bb. Pilipinas Pageant the first beauty contest that you joined?

Well, in 1997, I joined the Elite Model Search but it wasn't really a beauty contest; it was more of a modelling stint. I ended up first runner-up to Miss Lucia Santiago.

I heard that you were reluctant to join the Bb. Pilipinas Pageant.

Very much, actually. I didn't have plans. I'd actually been planning to put up an exhibit of my paintings this year but I was sidetracked to the Bb. Pilipinas Pageant. I still hope to put up that exhibit -- soon.

Now that you're Bb. Pilipinas-Universe, your paintings should cost more. Tumaas na bigla ang market value mo.

That would be the last of my worries. I want to put it up for free... for the benefit of women.

What sort of paintings do you do?

Well, my favorite subject is women.

Why women? Is it the face of a woman or the figure?

I am fascinated by curves; I find them very sensual.

Why women, not men?

Well, women are actually very sophisticated. We are very emotional, very complex and we have so much to express. I want all of these to flow in my paintings.

Who forced you to join the Bb. Pilipinas Pageant?

Not naman "forced". They prodded me. It took them four years actually. ("They" included director Jeffrey Jeturian who also discovered Angel Aquino for the movies. -- RFL) There was also Jay Lozada, a Fine Arts graduate who lives on the ninth floor of the same building where I live. He said, "I have the application form and I'm going down to the sixth floor right now!" (The rest is, yes, history. -- RFL)

What was so memorable about the Bb. Pilipinas Pageant?

Well, I met so many friends; I made 26 new friends. I shared a room with two girls, Malou Mendoza (who made it to the Top Ten) and Joy Cayobit (Miss Friendship). They were very nice. I got the best roomates ever.

Did you also go to Venezuela (like Miriam Quiambao and Lalaine Edson) for training before going to Cyprus for the Miss U contest?

No, I did not. There was no more time for that. But I underwent a crash course in speech at Dale Carnegie. What would have been a 12-week course was squeezed into two days.

Of course, your modelling experience will help a lot once you get to Cyprus.

It will, it will! I hope it will.

And your sunshiny disposition, too. It will help that you're always smiling -- naturally.

I hope.

And, perhaps, your singing ability, too. I watched you sing at the recent FAMAS Awards (serenaded by Piolo Pascual, Leandro Muñoz, Paolo Fabregas and Dingdong Dantes). You have a good singing voice.

Thank you!

Aren't you taking any voice lessons? You could be a professional singer.

I'm not closing my door to that. I want to grab every opportunity for me to grow as a person.

What about showbiz? A lot of Bb. Pilipinas beauties eventually become movie stars, starting with Gloria Diaz, our first Miss Universe (1969). Maybe you can join showbiz after your reign.

Showbiz? Well... I might give TV-hosting a try. But acting... I'll first think about it.

If you have to paint an actor in the nude, who would he be?

Albert Martinez. Why him? Because he's not superficial and I believe that he's intelligent and he seems to have so much to say. A very good actor and very virile. And, of course, very goodlooking.

Why not Richard Gomez?

(Breaking into reluctant smile) Every artist has his/her own type of model. It so happens that my type is Albert Martinez.

What's the first thing that you notice in a guy?

The teeth. They must be nice.

Like yours.

(Breaks into toothsome smile for an answer)

What else?

Sympathetic eyebrows.

Sympathetic eyebrows? How can you tell?

When I see a guy, I can tell.

What else?

When the guy starts talking, he has to make sense; he must have a sense of humor. He must also be optimistic, with a good disposition.

And what turns you off?

Arrogant guys. He may be goodlooking but I couldn't care less if he's arrogant.

Have you bump into arrogant guys?

A lot of times!

How do you deal with them?

It's actually very easy to brush them off. I ignore them.

What have been the changes in your life after you won as Bb. Pilipinas-Universe?

Aside from the fact I have a busier schedule, well, I've learned to be more patient. Otherwise, nothing much has changed in my lifestyle. I still take the taxi. Or, if I'm in a rush, I take the LRT. No big deal. I'm still the same girl I was before I won the crown. Nothing has changed.