Beauty with a purpose

We will never run out of beautiful women. We are a land of beauty queens. Go around the country and you will find that even the smallest barangay has its own beauty queen.

We have won in almost every beauty pageant around the world. We have winners in major international beauty pageants like Miss Universe and Miss International. In 1969, Gloria Diaz made us all proud when she became the first Filipina to win the Miss Universe. This was followed when Margie Moran-Floirendo became Miss Universe in 1973. Miriam Quiambao almost made it when she finished first runner-up in the same beauty contest. Rosemarie Brosas, the late Chat Silayan and Desiree Verdadero were part of the magic circle of five in the Miss Universe pageant. Charlene Gonzalez was a finalist in the same contest and won the Best in National Costume award. Melanie Marquez, Aurora Pijuan and Gemma Cruz-Araneta were former Miss International winners. Lara Quigaman is the current title holder of Miss International. However, the only major beauty title which remains elusive to Filipinos is Miss World. In 1993, Ruffa Gutierrez finished second runner-up, while Evangeline Pascual declared first runner-up in the early ’70s.

We are also known for having a former beauty titlist as a First Lady. Wasn’t Imelda Marcos a Leyte Beauty Queen? She might not have been an international beauty titlist but she was the most beautiful First Lady we ever had.

And during summer, we celebrate Santacruzan where the most beautiful ladies are presented in a procession. The Santacruzan caps the Flores de Mayo, a re-enactment of the finding of the Holy Cross by Queen Helena. And the most coveted title in the Santacruzan is that of Reyna Elena (which most likely is Queen Helena) escorted by a Constantino (King Constantine, the young son of Queen Helena).

And we never run out of things to celebrate. We have the longest Christmas celebration. And we celebrate the occasion like we never had Christmases before. We love fiestas and every patron saint in this country is honored. Birthdays, graduations, weddings, baptisms are precious moments which we mark with endless drinking and eating. We celebrate celebrations.

In Parañaque, the city is holding Bb. Parañaque Beauty Pageant which according to organizers is more than just a showcase of the beauty and grace of the women of Parañaque. It aims to cultivate genuine pride in Parañaque, which Mayor Jun Bernabe is painstakingly transforming into a model city. "It is also celebration of sorts because of the beautiful things happening to the city," says Edward Blanco, executive assistant to Mayor Bernabe.

As part of the pageant’s social responsibility, the pageant’s committee has chosen Bahay Aruga and Bahay Pagasa as beneficiaries. Bahay Aruga is home for battered and abused women and children while Bahay Pagasa is a holding station for minors who have run afoul with the law.

The 16 Bb. Parañaque finalists who will compete during the Coronation Night on June 11 at the Grand Theater of Casino Filipino Parañaque are Ma. Criselda Ledesma, Marielle Katrina Eusebio, Leslie Anne Ardoña, Mylyne Jicel de Castro, Katrina Villanueva, Joanne Castillo, Jade Lauren Ansis, Honey Dayryl Alesna, Suzanne Tabitha Mendoza, Mary Darlene Therese Sosa, Ma. Victoria Matillano, Socorro Grace Cadorniga, Richelle Punzalan, Venus Lyn Sorongon, Lourise Dela Cruz and Marielle De Leoz.

Parañaque City First Lady Ma. Fe Bernabe, chairperson of the organizing committee, is leaving no stone unturned to make the pageant a success. Personalities from Metro Manila have been selected to sit in the board of judges. TV and movie personalities have also been invited to enliven the affair.

The Bb. Parañaque 2006 winner will bring home a cash prize of P150,000, plus other prizes including a trip to Hong Kong. The first runner-up will receive P75,000 and P50,000 for the second runner-up. The two runners-up will also get free trips to choice local destinations. The talent scouts of the three winners will also receive substantial cash gifts.

Admission tickets to the Grand Coronation Night will be given away free of charge but limited to theater seat capacity for crowd control purposes. Tickets may be secured from the 16 finalists who have ticket allotments, barangay captains of the 16 city barangays, and from Ann Cabauatan of Parañaque City Hall (tel. nos. 541-5438 or 826-4009).