Red carpet welcome for Precious

Newly crowned Miss International 2005 Precious Lara Quigaman flew home yesterday afternoon to a red carpet welcome that could not be dampened by the frenzy of overeager journalists who jostled for position for the best shots as she stepped off the plane from Japan.

A near stampede of television cameramen and photographers ensued as they scrambled to get a good view of Quigaman, who arrived aboard Philippine Airlines flight PR 431 from Narita, Japan.

Quigaman, however, was unruffled by the commotion reportedly caused by poorly planned and coordinated security arrangements by the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) with airport media groups.

At the presidential lounge Miss International 2005 received a plaque of recognition from Manila Mayor Lito Atienza who was accompanied by his son Kim and Miss Chinatown Manila, just some of the many well-wishers at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal II.

MIAA General Manager Alfonso Cusi was among those inconvenienced by the media frenzy as he — along with his head executive assistant Robert Uy, Tourism Undersecretary Oscar Palayabyab and other media personalities — were elbowed and shoved during the jostling among photographers and cameramen for pictures and video footage.

But Quigaman remained sweet, vivacious and unperturbed by it all, appearing for a brief press conference for the media people covering her homecoming.

"Maraming, maraming salamat sa pagpunta n’yo lahat. Hindi ko talaga ine-expect na ganito kalaki ’yung welcome para sa akin. Sobrang sarap ng feeling ko. Hindi n’yo lang alam kung ano ang nararamdaman ko na makita kayong lahat na proud na nanalo ako. Maraming, maraming salamat," Quigaman said, expressing her heartfelt appreciation in her opening statement. She was seemingly taken aback by the warmth of her countrymen’s welcome.

"Pinaiyak n’yo naman ako," Quigaman added sheepishly as she shed tears of joy in between giggles to the delight of the airport media. She also paid tribute to unsung Filipino heroes who also deserve, but rarely receive, such attention.

"I want to let you all know that this victory is not just mine. I want to share it to everyone, to every Filipino all over the world, hindi lang sa Pilipinas. ’Tsaka yung mga Filipinos na nag-bring din ng glory sa country natin na hindi nabigyan ng katulad na atensyon, para sa kanila ito. My prayer is maging inspiration ito na maisip natin na hindi lang para sa ibang nationality yung world stage kung ’di para sa ating Filipino din at magagawa nating lahat if we are together in prayer," Quigaman said.

Asked about her plans for her one-year reign as Miss International, Quigaman said all she knows for now is that she will be going in and out of the country but she plans to spend time with her family here.

"Siyempre meron pa rin. Hindi natin papabayaan yan. Definitely, I’ll find time for my family,"" Quigaman said.

Asked if she had a boyfriend, Quigaman admitted she did.

"I’m in love. Meron (boyfriend)," she beamed.

Quigaman’s triumph in Japan ended a 26-year drought of beauty titles for the country. The last Filipina to win the Miss International crown was Melanie Marquez in 1979.