With her iconic status and her unforgettable appearances in films like Mogambo, The New Yorker, The Country Girl and the Hitchcock classic Dial M for Murder, Grace Kelly has that transcendental allure.
“I never thought of myself being likened to her until I read about her life and discovered that we have several things in common,” says former Bb. Pilipinas-Universe and Ms. Universe 1999 first runner-up Miriam Quiambao. For this particular story, Miriam is being shot and made up to imbibe the timeless radiance of Grace Kelly. Miriam muses, “I am very flattered, of course.”
The thing that becomes striking — if not plain impressive — during an interview with Miriam is that while it would have been much easier to stick to the physical aspects that rightfully make her a beauty all in her own league, she opts to touch on the subliminal connotations that come with being part of this feature. She reveals that, much like Grace Kelly, she is also active in a number of charitable organizations. Miriam, despite her packed schedule, gives priority to her work as an endorser and education advocate of Worldvision Foundation. As if she has not enough on her plate, she has also taken it upon herself to organize events that will benefit children. Miriam recounts, “My most recent event was a party to provide support for Mary Comforter of the Poor and Afflicted Inc., a shelter for abandoned and neglected children.”
Shortly after being crowned Bb. Pilipinas, Miriam found herself hosting several TV shows, the pioneering reality show Extra Challenge being one of them. At present, she is shuttling between the sets of two other shows — 100% Pinoy and The Beat. When time permits, she takes on corporate hosting stints, magazine shoots and of course, endorsements. One who is keen on exploring the many possibilities in life, this modern-day independent woman discloses, “I feel that I have done almost everything I could with hosting for TV and I am looking for more possibilities for me in the industry. I also feel the need to express myself and create. Acting seems to be the next possible progression and so I am looking at crossing over.”
But while she is constantly kept busy with work, Miriam sees to it that she is able to care for herself. “I basically keep a simple regimen. I make sure that I keep my face clean from makeup and residues especially when I am not working. After cleansing, I spray toner and use Olay Total Effects Anti-Aging Serum followed by Olay Total Effects Moisturizer. I also go for a monthly facial.” Included in her list of beauty indulgences are trips to the spa for a massage, hair treatments, manicures and pedicures. On regular days, however, Miriam is hardly without her essentials: lip and cheek tint and a tube of lipgloss. Nothing fancy, really, considering that we are talking about someone who was crowned for her beauty.
With candor, Miriam relates, “I’m always grateful when people tell me that I look younger than my age or that they appreciate my beauty. I find that what people find beautiful about me is what I have become as a result of my experiences and beliefs.” And since she was crowned one of the country’s most beautiful, the public has been witness to how Miriam has, in her own right, become an icon of beauty. “I have learned that in order to have a youthful outlook in life, one must know how to have fun by developing and nurturing happy and loving relationships as well as by nurturing her spirit through prayer, spiritual readings and good works,” she says.
Miriam has not been spared from her own share of controversy and tribulation. “Getting married and surviving divorce are also milestones in my life. I have never experienced deep emotions as I have in these experiences and they have definitely matured me. Having gotten through the joys of being in love and then eventually going through deep pain and loss when we separated have allowed me to experience the whole range of emotions. Now, that I am in the later stages of healing, I can laugh and cry as easily and it has made me feel much more alive.” It is precisely because of this human element about Miriam that people are easily drawn to her — if not simply enthralled by her.
While it is undeniable that she possesses the kind of beauty worthy of a crown, her life experiences, the admirable work that she has done and the commitment that she has shown in helping others are, more than anything else, the very things that make her beauty radiate and transcend time.
“Each person, no matter how beautiful physically, has a story. She has a certain depth in her personality that makes her much more interesting. This makes her behave in a certain manner or affects the way she makes her choices. These are the things that add color and texture to her person — and that makes her even more beautiful,” she concludes.