Karen won fair & square; no hometown decision

Intercontinental Karen Gallman (far right) at the thanksgiving/ victory dinner hosted by Jorge Araneta and wife Madame Stella Marquez-Araneta, with (from left) 2018 Bb. Pilipinas Globe Michele Gumabao, Karen, Madame Stella, Betsy Westendorp, Conchitina Sevilla- Bernardo, 2018 Miss International first runner-up Ahtisa Manalo and 2018 Bb. Pilipinas second runnerup Samantha Bernardo.

Are you going to make any (ehem, “earth-shaking”) announcement?

Karen with Madame Stella and Jorge…

The STAR was at the White House (Bahay Na Puti) Friday night among the invited guests to a sit-down thanksgiving/victory dinner for Karen Gallman, newly-crowned 2018 Miss Intercontinental, the first Filipina to win the elusive title in the pageant’s 47-year history.

her boyfriend Ian Garton…

Madame Stella Marquez-Araneta (head of the Bb. Pilipinas Charities, Inc./BPCI), who hosted the event with her husband, Jorge Araneta, was speechless when asked the question, only flashing a meaningful smile, as if to say, let’s wait for the “authorized group” to make whatever announcement pageant followers have been waiting for (with bated breath, yes!).

her mom Editha Boyonas…

Besides, it was Karen’s moment.

Still looking euphoric with victory, Karen was escorted by her boyfriend, Ian Garton (mom is Colombian and dad is Australian), who grew up in Brisbane like Karen who was born in the Philippines to an Australian father (Gavin William Gallman) and a Filipino mom (Editha Boyonas of Ubay, Bohol) but spent her teenage years also in Brisbane.

Kagandahang Flores (KF) head Rodgil Flores who trained her…

“I couldn’t miss the pageant so I came to support and cheer for Karen,” said Ian, an accountant, with whom Karen has been going steady for six years since they met when they were in high school. “I’m moving to the Philippines to be with Karen during her reign but I’m not sure yet what to do,” adding in jest, “Maybe I should work at Jollibee, hahaha!!!”  

and 2014 Miss Intercontinental second runner-up Kris Tiffany Janson

Good-looking enough to be in showbiz, Ian recalled that before winning 2018 Miss Universe Philippines, Karen was 19 when she placed among the Top 12 in the 2012 Bb. Pilipinas pageant. Karen decided to resume college, tucked up a Business Management degree from a top university in Australia and then worked as a financial analyst in London before competing again, and winning, in the pageant.

Madame Stella and Karen with 2013 Miss Universe Gabriela Isler

Asked what he thought was Karen’s winning quality (aside from the obvious, her kayumangging kaligatan looks and intelligence), Ian said, “Her elegance and her determination.”

From left: Ahtisa, Jag Jeans’ James Barry, Michele, Samantha and Jag Jeans’ Dondi Manlulu

Karen’s mom, also present at the event, nodded in approval.

Because the Miss Intercontinental pageant was held here for the first time, there was a murmur that Karen won by “hometown decision.” An unfair accusation, actually.

Jorge and Madame Stella with Kumi Miyamae (former Miss Intercontinental Japan) and her mom Johanna Miyamae (CEO of Miss Intercontinental Japan)…

“All I know is that I really did my best,” stressed Karen, unfazed by the bashers (a negligible number), who was trained by Kagandahang Flores (KF) headed by the ever-humble and self-effacing Rodgil Flores (who has groomed several other beauty queens and never flaunted it). “I didn’t have any control of the judges who are the best in their fields,” including former PNP/BUCOR chief Gen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, and Hollywood actors Lorenzo Lamas and Vincent de Paul.

“Iba ang presence ni Karen,” noted Rodgil. “From the very start of the pageant she stood out among the 83 contestants. She was No. 1 in all the events, from the interview to the national costume segment, etc.” (Note: The non-issue is nothing new. In 2001, Puerto Rican Denise Quinones won Miss Universe in the pageant held in Puerto Rico.)   

and with Gabriela, Ambassador Joseph Bernardo and Gabriela’s husband Alberto Figueroa (rightmost)

Besides BPCI officials Conchitina Sevilla-Bernardo (vice president, escorted by her husband, Ambassador Joseph Bernardo), Betsy Westendorp (board member), also present at the dinner were Johanna Miyamae (CEO of Miss Intercontinental Japan which was behind the recent pageant) with daughter Kumi Miyamae (a former Miss Intercontinental Japan), 2018 Miss International first runner-up Ahtisa Manalo, 2018 Bb. Pilipinas Michele Gumabao, 2018 Bb. Pilipinas second runner-up Samantha Bernardo, 2014 Miss Intercontinental second runner-up Kris Tiffany Janson and 2013 Miss Universe Gabriela Isler (accompanied by her husband Alberto Figueroa, more on her in tomorrow’s Funfare).

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)