UST has most number of beauty queens

If students and alumni of other schools have any objection, raise it now or remain silent forever.

Anyway, according to Funfare’s “beauty expert” Felix Manuel, a nursing graduate from the UST, his alma mater has produced more beauty queens than any school in the Philippines. He and his fellow “beauty experts” Joey Cezeare, Gery Yumping and Francis Calubaquib have come up with a list of Thomasian title-holders to prove it, led by Janine Mari Tugonon who was a former Miss UST before she recently bagged the 2012 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe crown.

Said Felix, “UST…The Pontifical, Royal, The Catholic University of the Philippines…celebrated its 401st anniversary on April 28. Janine’s victory was a fitting start of the university’s fifth century.”

Here’s the Honor Roll (and how the beauties fared in contests abroad):

• Representatives for Miss Universe:

• 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 Quiray Crespo (semi-finalist)

• 1986 — Violeta Asela Enriquez Naluz

• 1990 — Germelina Leah Banal Padilla (also 1989 Miss UST first runner-up)

• 1994 — Charlene Mae Bonnin Gonzalez (one of Top 6)

• 1999 — Miriam Redito Quiambao (1999 Miss U first runner-up; 1996 Miss Physical Therapy-UST)

• 2008 — Jennifer Tarol Barrientos

• 2012 — Janine Mari  Tugonon (reigning Bb. Pilipinas-Universe and also 2010 Miss UST)

•  Representatives for Miss World

• 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

•  Representatives for Miss International

• 1961 — Pilar Arciaga

• 1962 — Cynthia Lucero Ugalde (fourth runner-up in Miss Photogenic category; 1960 Miss Education)

• 1967 — Margarita Lebumfacil Romualdez

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

• 1990 — Jennifer Perez Pingree

• 1994 — Alma Carvajal Concepcion (semi-finalist and Miss Friendship; Muse of UAAP opening ceremony)

• 1995 — Gladys Andre Dinsay Dueñas (semi-finalist; Miss AB 1992 and Miss UST 1993)

• 2003 — Jhezarie Gamez Javier (Miss Ideal Thomasian Personality 2001)

• 2005 — Precious Lara Quigaman (2005 Miss International)

•  Representatives for Miss Asia-Pacific

• 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 (Miss AB 1996 runner-up)

•  Representatives for Miss Maja Internacional

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

• 1989 — Jeanne Therese Plata Hilario (second runner-up; 1989 Miss UST)

•  Bb. Pilipinas-Tourism winners

• 1988 — Maritoni Macariola Daya (also 1984 Bb. Press Photography

• 1989 — Marichelle Lising Cruz

• 1990 — Dr. Mila Rose Lacdao Javelosa (1989 Miss UST second runner-up)

• 1993 — Jennette Fernando

•  International title-holders (female)

• Justine Vinluan Gabionza (2006 Miss Tourism Queen International)

• 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 Abinuman (2002 Miss Global Queen)

• Racquel Tentoco Uy (1999 Queen of the Year)

• Gemith Gemparo (1993 Miss Model of the World)

•  Miss Philippines-Earth

• 2002 — Justine Vinluan Gabionza (Miss Philippines-Air)

• 2004 — Shiela Alonzo (Miss Philippines-Fire)

• 2008 — Marian Michelle Talag Oblea (Miss Philippines-Water; 2006 Miss UST)

• 2010 — Angela Lauren Fernando (Miss Philippines-Eco Tourism; 2008 Miss UST)

• 2011 — Denise Toribio (Miss Philippines-Eco-Tourism; 2012 Miss UST)

•  National title-holders (male).Christopher Celis (1996 Mr. World Philippines)

• Vincent Pinto (1997 Manhunt International second runner-up and Mr. Talent; 1994 Mr. UST first runner-up)

• Iago Raterta (2006 Manhunt International semi-finalist; former UST Growling Tiger)

• John Adrian Reyes (2010 Mr. Philippines-Earth)  

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. You may also send your questions to [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos visit http://www.philstar.com/funfareor follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)