The 1st Mutya, 45 years ago

Did you know that the Mutya ng Pilipinas pageant is a rich source of showbiz stars? Some of the title-holders who ventured into showbiz: Rosemarie de Vera, Marilou Bendigo, (the late) Rio Diaz, Alice Crisostomo and daughter Mutya Laxa, Marilou Sadiua, Aurora Sevilla, Jo Canonizado, Daisy Reyes, Maricel Morales, Sherilyn Reyes, Michelle Aldana (Miss Asia), Gloria Dimayacyac (Miss Asia), Yehlen Catral, Emma Yuhico, Baby Delgado, Tet Agbayani and Carolyn Masibay.

The pageant is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year, with the new queen to be chosen tomorrow night, July 26, at the NBC Tent, Global City in Taguig City, to be aired as a TV special Sunday night (July 28) by GMA starting at 10 a.m.

Here’s a misty-eyed look at the first Mutya pageant on Dec. 7, 1968, at the Araneta Coliseum, won by Jane de Joya, 18, from Nueva Ecija, who stood 5’4”, weighed 100 lbs. and measured 34-23-34. She became the country’s bet in the Miss Asia contest. Major sponsors were Filoil and Cosmos Bottling Company in cooperation with Sulo Hotel.

Recalled Funfare’s “other beauty expert” Celso de Guzman Caparas, “Jane and the 12 other contestants (Pilar Agcaoili, Fortune Aleta, Arlene Aquino, Maria Theresa de la Concepcion, Carmina Gutierrez, Mary Grace Iñigo, Marie Antoinette Martinez, Lolita Planas, Marthie Rodriguez, Maria Norma Sayno, Maria Luz Villanueva and Susan Yang) first paraded in evening gown of their choice, and then they performed a Hello Dolly number accompanied by Danny Holmsen and His Orchestra. Next, they walked on the ramp wearing Jantzen swimsuits.” 

The emcee was (the late) Eddie Mercado, while Pilita Corrales and Maurice Sta. Lucia provided the musical numbers.

Composed by Kit Samson, the Miss Asia Hymn was interpreted by the Ateneo de Manila Glee Club while the 13 Miss Asia ’68 candidates — from (Cassandra Stiles), Ceylon (Marlene Beverly Seneveratne), Guam (Arlene Vilma Chaco), Hong Kong (Sandra Cheung Siu-Ling), India (Anabella Crawford), Israel (Miriam Domkin), Japan (Atsumi Ikeno), Korea (Chang Hye-Sun), New Zealand (Christine Mary Antunovic), Okinawa (Sachi Kawamitsu), Republic of China (Macy Shih), Singapore (Violet Neo) and Thailand (Valisra Trungvachirachi) — were presented on stage in their respective national costumes.

Trivia (from Celso): Miss Ceylon was a co-delegate of our very own Miss Universe 1969 Gloria Diaz. Miss Guam and Miss New Zealand joined the Miss Universe 1968 pageant along with Charina Zaragoza.  Miss New Zealand also competed in the Miss World 1968.

Jane’s court of honor was composed of Fortune Aleta, first runner-up; Pilar Agcaoili, second; Mary Grace Inigo, third; and Maria Luz Villanueva, fourth. Fresh from Miss World pageant where she placed fourth runner-up to Penelope Plummer of Australia, Pinky Amabuyok crowned Jane who bagged P3,000 in cash prize, trip to Hong Kong, wardrobe by Santiago de Manila, a Polaroid camera, P50,000 insurance policy from Malayan Insurance Company and money time-deposited at Manila Banking Corporation.

 Said Celso, “The runners-up were each awarded Santiago de Manila wardrobe; 50 boxes of Wrigley chewing gums; five gift certificates from Kentucky Fried Chicken; P10,000 pesos accident insurance from Manila Bankers Life Insurance Corporation; one case of a La Tondeña, Inc. product; Silver Swan Soy Sauce and Chase de Sanborn; three pieces of Vonnel ladies T-shirts; and gift packages from Colgate Palmolive and Purefoods Corporation. 

Jane competed the next night, Dec. 8, in the (first) Miss Asia contest also at the Araneta Coliseum, placing third runner-up to Macy Shih of the Republic of China.

Trivia (from Celso): Fortune was first runner-up to Bb. Pilipinas-International Nini Ramos held three months earlier. She crowned Amabuyok as 1969 Miss Republic of the Philippines. Fortune is currently the country’s honorary consul in Monaco. Pilar was a semi-finalist in 1968 Bb. Pilipinas pageant and 1968 Miss Metropolitan Jaycees second runner-up to Benigna Rustia (Nini Ramos’ second runner-up). Carmina (aunt of Miss World 1993 Second Princess Ruffa Gutierrez) became fourth runner-up and Miss Talent, and Mary Grace was a semi-finalist in the 1969 Bb. Pilipinas pageant won by Gloria Diaz (Universe) and Binky Montinola (International). Mary Grace was one of Ten Best in Swimsuits in 1970 Miss Republic of the Philippines pageant won by Teresita Miro and would later become Mrs. Charlie Davao.   

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