A ‘beauty-ful’ reunion

When Gloria Diaz arrived at the Bahay na Puti (White House) last Friday afternoon for the tea party hosted by Madame Stella Marquez-Araneta (head of the Bb. Pilipinas Charities, Inc.) and husband Jorge Araneta, she exclaimed, “Wow, it’s nostalgic! It’s nice to be back in this house which holds fond memories for me.”

The last time Gloria was in that house (the Aranetas’ residence in Quezon City) was 44 years ago when she won the 1969 Bb. Pilipinas crown and went on to win Miss Universe that same year in Miami, Florida. That’s one thing that Gloria shares with Madame Stella — Gloria is the first Filipina Miss Universe (followed by Margie Moran in 1973) and Madame Stella is the first Miss International (1960, representing Colombia).

Gloria was one of the 43 Binibinis who lit up the rare event as they exchanged anecdotes about their respective reigns while daintily sipping champagne, turning more animated while having a buffet dinner. As these pictures show, the years have hardly marked the faces of the beauty queens who have mellowed and carry themselves with the same regal quality that helped them clinch the coveted crown.

The others present were:

•  Bb. Pilipinas Universe: Simonette de los Reyes-Ferraren, 1970; Vida Doria-Legaspi, 1971; Chiqui Brosas-Hahn, 1975; Desiree Verdadero-Abesamis, 1984; Joyce Ann Burton-Titular, 1985; Miriam Quiambao, 1999; Nina Ricci Alagao, 2000; Karen Loren Agustin-Ostrea, 2002; Gionna Cabrera, 2005; Lia Andrea Ramos, 2006; Jennifer Barrientos, 2008; Bianca Manalo, 2009; Venus Raj, 2010; Shamcey Supsup, 2011; and Janine Tugonon, 2012.
• Bb. Pilipinas International: Nini Ramos-Licaros, 1968; Evelyn Camus-Alcantara, 1971; Peachy Sacasas-Alimurung, 1981; Bella Nachor, 1984; Patty Betita, 1991; Maricarl Tolosa, 2001; Precious Lara Quigaman-Alcaraz, (2005 Miss International); Patricia Fernandez, 2008; Dianne Necio, 2011; and Nicole Schmitz, 2012.
• Bb. Pilipinas World: Marina Benipayo, 1992; Ruffa Gutierrez, 1993; Kate Manalo-Hernandez, 2002; Mafae Yunon-Belasco, 2003; Karla Bautista-Siao, 2004; Anna Maris Igpit, 2006; Danielle Castaño, 2008; and Czarina Gatbonton, 2010.
• Bb. Pilipinas Maja: Annette Liwanag, 1975; Catherine Jane Brummitt, 1984; and Issa Gonzales, 1985.
• Bb. Pilipinas Young International: Jean Saburit, 1975; and Sharon Hughes, 1982.
• Bb. Pilipinas Tourism: Jenette Fernando-Dizon, 1993; Isabela Manjon, 2011; and Katrina Jayne Dimaranan, 2012. Also present were Consul of Monaco Fortune Aleta-Ledesma (1st runner-up to Nini Ramos), artist Betsy Weste ndorp and Elaine Kay Moll (2012 Miss Supranational 3rd runner-up).

Sorely missed was the late Myrna Panlilio, the first Bb. Pilipinas (Universe, 1964). Other Binibinis who have, so to speak, crossed the bar, were Chat Silayan (1980, Universe), Pinky Alberto (1977, International), Melody Gersbach (2009, International) and Maria Theresa Carlson (1979, Bb. Young Pilipinas).

Hosted by Venus, Shamcey and Janine, the affair is part of the 50th  celebration of Bb. Pilipinas, to be aired as a pre-pageant TV special titled The Road to the Golden Crown on ABS-CBN on April 7 (night), a week before the 2013 Bb. Pilipinas grand coronation night on April 14 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Funfare’s “other beauty expert” Celso de Guzman Caparas who covered the reunion for this corner used a cliché (an apt one) to describe it, “An affair to remember!”

 It might take years before it happens again.

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