MARAMING BABAE ANG nagpapantasya na maging isang beauty queen. Kumakaway sa libu-libong tao habang naglalakad na may hawak na scepter, may putong na korona sa ulo, naka-long gown at nakasuot ng mahabang kapa – just like Elizabeth, Queen of England.
Hindi lahat puwedeng maging beauty queen. Pero bawat isa ay may sariling unique na ganda. Ms. Gloria Diaz was only 18 years old when she won the country’s first Miss Universe crown in 1969, the same year when Neil Armstrong landed on the moon. Host Bob Barker asked the contestants, “In the next day or so, a man will land on the moon. If a man from the moon landed in your hometown, what would you do to entertain him?” Gloria outsmarted the other four finalists when she answered, “Oh! Uh, just the same things I do. I think if he has been on the moon for so long, I think when he comes over he wants to change, I guess.” In 1973, we produced another Ms. Universe – Margie Moran Floirendo.
A beauty queen title can also open new doors of opportunities. Just like Gloria, marami ring mga beauty queens ang pumasok sa showbiz. Kabilang sa mahabang listahan ng mga beauty queens-turned-actresses sina Charlene Gonzalez, Miriam Quiambao, Precious Lara Quigaman, Theresa Licaros, Melanie Marquez, Maria Isabel Lopez, Evangeline Pascual, Alma Concepcion, Carlene Aguilar, Dang Cecilio, Chat Silayan, Daisy Reyes, Alice Dixon, Gladys Dueñas, Jean Saburit, Dindi Gallardo, Nina Ricci Alagao, Rachel Anne Wolfe, Mutya Laxa, Maricel Morales and Michelle Aldana. Ruffa Gutierrez was already an actress when she joined the Miss World pageant.
The reigning Binibining Pilipinas-Universe Bianca Manalo has recently arrived from the Bahamas where the 58th Miss Universe pageant was held. Posible din kayang pasukin niya ang mundo ng showbiz? “Kung may offer, why not? Actually, nai-inspire nga ako kasi sabi ko sa Binibini, ‘Ano ba kung may offer sabihin niyo sa akin kasi gusto ko maging Lara Quigaman, Ruffa Gutierrez, Charlene Gonzalez, Miriam Quiambao,’” she enthuses.
Actually, nakatutuwa itong si Bianca. May kakaibang appeal. Natural sa lahat at may presence na bagay na bagay sa industriya ng showbiz.
Kaibigan, usap tayo muli!
Points of Boy
by Boy Abunda
