Meet my favorite Filipino beauties who have represented the Philippines in Miss Universe. Majority are of ethnic backgrounds native to the Philippines while some are of mixed-race background from the colonial history of the country. Delegates usually wore Filipiniana gowns such as traje de mestiza or terno, and sometimes accompanied with a parasol or designed to represent a festival. Meanwhile, other delegates chose to represent various tribal and indigenous ethnic groups from different regions of the country.
Gloria Diaz won the title of Binibining Pilipinas 1969 (Miss Philippines). A student based in Parañaque at the time of winning the national title, Gloria soon represented the Philippines in the Miss Universe 1969 pageant held in Miami, Florida. Noted for her exotic looks and charisma, the petite beauty was soon announced as among the Top 10 Best in Swimsuit. On the pageant finals, Gloria was announced as among the Top 15 semi-finalists and became a crowd favorite during the interview portion. She eventually won the title of Miss Universe 1969, becoming the first Filipino to win the international beauty title. After her reign, she became active in the local Philippine entertainment industry and became an actress appearing films and TV shows.
Vida Doria won the title of Binibining Pilipinas 1971 (Miss Philippines). Before winning the national title, Vida was pursuing a degree in broadcast communications. She soon became the Philippines’ representative to the Miss Universe 1971 pageant held in Miami, Florida. A favorite during the pageant, Vida was chosen as Miss Photogenic by press photographers covering the pageant.
Margarita Moran won the title of Binibining Pilipinas - Universe 1973 (Miss Philippines). At the time of winning the national title, she was pursuing a business degree while being a part-time model. She comes from a mixed-race Filipino family with Spanish and American roots and is also the granddaughter of former Philippine president, Manuel Roxas. Margie became the Philippines’ delegate in the Miss Universe 1973 pageant held in Athens, Greece. Noted for her stunning looks and elegance, she was chosen as Miss Photogenic by press photographers covering the pageant. After an impressive performance during the pageant finals, Margarita eventually won the title of Miss Universe 1973, becoming the second Filipino to win the title. During her reign in 1974, she starred in her first local film - Oh Margie, Oh. Several years after her reign, she also became active as a TV host focusing on local tourism.
Rosario Silayan won the title of Binibining Pilipinas - Universe 1980 (Miss Philippines). Before winning the national title, she had just completed a degree in nutrition. Hailing from Manila, Rosario is the daughter of veteran Filipino actor, Vic Silayan. She soon became the Philippines’ delegate in the Miss Universe 1980 pageant held in Seoul, South Korea. A favorite during the pageant, Rosario wore a Korean-inspired Filipiniana gown as her national costume. On the pageant finals, she celebrated her 21st birthday and was among the Top 12 semi-finalists, eventually finishing as 3rd runner-up. After her reign, she entered the local entertainment industry under the screen name “Chat Silayan”, appearing both in films and TV series, and a number of foreign films.
Maria Isabel Lopez won the title of Binibining Pilipinas - Universe 1982 (Miss Philippines). At the time of winning the title, she was a fine arts graduate working as a fashion designer while also being a part-time lingerie model. The exotic, dusky beauty soon became the Philippines’ representative in the Miss Universe 1982 pageant held in Lima, Peru. After her reign, Maria Isabel became active in the local entertainment industry, becoming an actress in both films and TV series.
Desiree Verdadero won the title of Binibining Pilipinas - Universe 1984 (Miss Philippines). She won the pageant on her second attempt (she finished as 1st runner-up during the Binibining Pilipinas 1982 pageant). At the time of winning the title, Desiree was working as a freelance fashion model. She soon represented in the Philippines in the Miss Universe 1984 pageant held in Miami, Florida. With her exotic looks and vivaciousness, the dusky beauty became a favorite during the pageant and eventually finished as 3rd runner-up.
Geraldine Asis won the title of Binibining Pilipinas - Universe 1987 (Miss Philippines). Before winning the national title, she was working as a fashion model and has graduated with a degree in interior design. Hailing from Roxas City, she soon represented the Philippines in the Miss Universe 1987 pageant held in Singapore. With her Eurasian looks and porcelain complexion, the statuesque beauty became a favorite during the pageant and was among the Top 10 semi-finalists. Geraldine soon appeared as an actress in a number of local films under the screen name of "Pebbles de Asis".
Perfida Limpin won the title of Binibining Pilipinas - Universe 1988 (Miss Philippines). Before winning the national title, Perfida was working as a hotel receptionist and is also a foreign service graduate. From Manila, the exotic, dusky beauty soon represented the Philippines in the Miss Universe 1988 pageant held in Taipei, Republic of China. For her national costume, Perfida wore a dress inspired from the Maranao ethnic group.
Germelina Leah Padilla won the title of Binibining Pilipinas - Universe 1990 (Miss Philippines). At the time of winning the pageant, she was working as a fashion model and has completed a degree in political science. The statuesque, dusky beauty became the Philippines’ delegate in the Miss Universe 1990 pageant held in Los Angeles, California. For her national costume, Germelina wore a combination of garments and accessories of the various indigenous tribes in the Philippines – Gaddang, T’boli and Maranao.
Ailleen Damiles won the title of Binibining Pilipinas - Universe 1996 (Miss Philippines). Nicknamed “Leng”, she hails from Las Piñas and was pursuing a mass communications degree when she won the national title. She soon became the Philippines’ representative in the Miss Universe 1996 pageant held in Las Vegas, Nevada. For her national costume, Leng wore an attire inspired by the Kalinga tribe, complete with accessories and pots stacked on her head. With her doll-like features and fair complexion, Leng became a favorite during the pageant. She was soon awarded the title of Miss Photogenic after being voted by fans via the internet. Years after her reign, Ailleen acted in a number of local films.
Miriam Quiambao won the title of Binibining Pilipinas - World 1999 (Miss Philippines). However, she was soon appointed the title of Binibining Pilipinas - Universe 1999 after the original titleholder was dethroned due to citizenship issues. At the time of winning the title, she was working as a fitness instructor and has also completed a degree in physical therapy. Miriam soon represented the Philippines in the Miss Universe 1999 pageant held in Chaguaramas, Trinidad & Tobago. She notably slipped during the preliminary evening gown competition but was able to regain her composure and was among the Top 10 semi-finalists during the pageant finals. After an impressive performance and being chosen the Clairol Herbal Essence Style Award, Miriam eventually finished as 1st runner-up. After the pageant, Miriam became active in the local entertainment industry as a TV host and has also appeared in a number of films and TV series.
Karen Loren Agustin won the title of Binibining Pilipinas – Universe 2002 (Miss Philippines). At the time of winning the title, she was pursuing a degree in computer science. Originally from Manila, Karen soon represented the Philippines in the Miss Universe 2002 pageant held in San Juan, Puerto Rico. With her exotic looks and strong stage presence, she became a crowd favorite during the pageant.
Janine Tugonon won the title of Miss Universe Philippines 2012 during the Binibining Pilipinas 2012 pageant. She won the national title on her second attempt (she was 1st runner-up during Binibining Pilipinas 2011 pageant). Hailing from Bataan, she is an honors graduate of pharmacy and is a licensed pharmacist at the time of winning the national title. The dusky beauty soon represented the Philippines in the Miss Universe 2012 pageant held in Las Vegas, Nevada. She represented the Maranao ethnic group with her national costume. With her exotic looks and strong stage presence, she became a favorite during the pageant and eventually finished as 1st runner-up.
Ariella Arida won the title of Miss Universe Philippines 2013 during the Binibining Pilipinas 2013 pageant. Ariella is originally from Laguna and was a chemistry graduate at the time of winning the national title. She soon represented the Philippines in the Miss Universe 2013 pageant held in Moscow, Russia. The stunning, dusky beauty became a huge favorite during the pageant, being invited to model for a couture fashion show, a shooting for a car TV commercial and an appearance in a music video of Russian artist, Emin. She entered the Top 16 semi-finalists after topping the online poll, and eventually finished as 3rd runner-Up. Ariella soon became active in the local entertainment industry as a TV host and actress.
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