Stars, beauty queens from UST

The University of Santo Tomas (UST) marked its 395th foundation day last Friday, April 28. Two of Funfare’s "beauty experts," Felix Manuel and Gery Yumping, are Tomasian and they take pride that their alma mater, founded in 1611 by Msgr. Miguel de Benavidez, has produced great men and women in various fields, including heroes like Dr. Jose Rizal, Fr. Jose Burgos, Antonio Luna, Marcelo H. del Pilar, Emilio Jacinto and Apolinario Mabini; and former presidents Manuel L. Quezon, Sergio Osmeña, Jose P. Laurel and Diosdado Macapagal.

Felix and Gery have also made a list of showbiz stars and beauty queens who are Tomasian. Here they are:

• Partial list of Tomasian stars ("Whom," according to Felix and Gery, "we saw on campus from the time we were high-school freshmen to the time we were staff nurses at the UST Hospital"): Eula Valdes, Jamie Rivera, Isay Alvarez, Jenine Desiderio, Nonoy Zuñiga, Arnold Clavio, Rita Avila, Michael Laygo, Vincent Berba, Jeffrey Santos, Aljon Jimenez, Shintaro Valdez, Eric Cayetano, JV Villar, Jennifer Sevilla, Hero Bautista, John Lapus, Lander Vera Perez, Jao Mapa, Ciara Sotto, Piolo Pascual, Ana Abiera, Lani Lobangco and her sister Rachel, Dang Cruz, Dominic Ochoa, Sharmaine Suarez, Ina Raymundo and Sarah Geronimo.

• Honor roll of Tomasian beauty queens:

• 1952 – Teresita Torralba Sanchez

• 1954 – Ma. Blesilda Candida Guia Mueller Ocampo (first Filipina semi-finalist in the pageant)

• 1962 – Josephine Estrada Brown

• 1972 – Armi Barbara Quira Crespo (semi-finalist)

• 1986 – Violeta Asela Enriquez Naluz

• 1990 – Germelina Leah Banal Padilla who was first runner-up in the 1989 Miss UST search

• 1994 – Charlene Mae Bonnin Gonzalez (finalist)

• 1999 – Miriam Redito Quiambao (first runner-up; she was also first runner-up in the 1996 Miss Physical Therapy search)

• 1970 – Minerva Manalo Cagatao (semi-finalist)

• 1971 – Onelia Ison Jose

• 1973 – Evangeline Luis Pascual (first runner-up)

• 1990 – Antonette Elizalde Ballesteros

• 1991 – Gemith Gonzaga Gemparo

• 1961 – Pilar Arciaga

• 1962 – Cynthia Lucero Ugalde (she was 1960 Miss Education)

• 1967 – Margarita Lebumfacil Romualdez

• 1986 – Jessie Alice Salones Dixson (semi-finalist)

• 1990 – Jennifer Perez Pingree

• 1994 – Alma Carvajal Concepcion (Miss Friendship and semi-finalist; she was the muse for the UAAP opening ceremony)

• 1995 – Gladys Andre Dinsay Dueñas (semi-finalist; she was 1992 Miss AB)

• 2003 – Jhezarie Gamez Javier (she was 2001 Miss Ideal Thomasian Personality)

• 1970 – Alice Tiongson Crisostomo (first runner-up)

• 1971 – Carolyn Gomorra Masibay (first runner-up)

• 1990-Mutya Crisostomo Laxa (second runner-up)

• 1998 – Rochelle Romero Ong (runner-up; she was 1996 Miss AB)

• 1975 – Annette So Liwanag (fourth runner-up)

• 1989 – Jeanne Therese Plata Hilario (second runner-up; she was 1989 Miss UST)

Bb. Pilipinas Tourism Winners:

• 1990 – Dr. Mila Rose Lacdao Javelosa (she was 1989 Miss UST)

• 1993 – Jennette Fernando

• Jhezarie Gamez Javier – 2005 Miss ASEAN

• Bridgette Tolentino Inoferio – 2005 Model of the Year

• Michelle Cueva Reyes – 2001 Miss Tourism International and 2002 Miss Tourism World

• Joanna Paula Abiniman – 2002 Miss Global Queen

• Racquel Tentoco Uy – 1999 Queen of the Year.

(It is interesting to note that 2005 Miss International Precious Lara San Agustin Quigaman was a UST college freshman during her Bb. Pilipinas 2001 stint. 1993 Miss Asia Pacific Michelle Zulueta Aldana was our batchmate in the College of Nursing during our freshman year; she was a semi-finalist and Miss Photogenic at the 1989 Miss Nursing pageant; and then she transferred to UP for her sophomore year. 1953 Miss Philippines-Universe Cristina Monson Pacheco transferred to UST after her reign.)

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