MISS RP IS FIRST RUNNER UP, MISS BOTSWANA IS MISS UNIVERSE
Port
of Spain, Trinidad, May 28, 1999 - Miss Botswana, 19-year-old Mpule
Kwelagobe, won the Miss Universe 1999 title the first time her country
entered the pageant.
The first runner-up in the competition was Miss Philippines Miriam Quiambao, while in third place was Miss Spain Diana Nogueria.
In the end it all boiled down to a single question: if Miss Universe becomes pregnant, should she be allowed to continue her reign? While Miss Philippines and Miss Spain stumbled with their answers, Miss Bostwana, considered a long shot to the crown by many including the two CBS commentators, answered the question from her heart.
"Yes, a titleholder should be allowed to express her femininity," Miss Bostwana said. "When you enter a beauty pageant you do symbolize women and women do get pregnant and have children. I do not see being pregnant interrupting anything I do in my life. That's what it's all about, celebrating the fact that you're a woman and that you can bear children."
While most Filipinos who watched the show on live TV were disappointed by the final announcement knowing that Quiambao was so close to bagging the coveted title, those who didn't see the dramatic finale were beaming with joy and nationalistic pride when news of Quiambao's runner-up finish reached them.
Perezroy75 wrote at the alt.fan.lea-salonga Internet newsgroup: "I was hoping she would win but 1st runner-up is more than my countrymen and countrywomen can ask for. Go Philippines!!!!" This is the closest finish of Miss Philippines in the Miss Universe pageant since Margie Moran won the title in 1973.
Quiambao, a 23-year old, 5'8", 33-24-36, native of Bacacay, Albay, came back from an otherwise disastrous accidental fall during the pageant's preliminiaries by quickly standing back on her feet with dignified poise to the warm applause of the audience.
She then used that incident to her advantage during a Question and Answer period when asked what did she stand up for recently that made her proud of her accomplishments. To the delight of most of people in the audience who were clearly rooting for her, she said: "Oh, when I fell on the stage last Friday. I believe that I have stood up for the rest of the women who have fallen whether on or off stage. I believe that through this example of mine I have shown courage and strength of being a woman, of being who I am, and I hope to be a good example to the rest of the women in the world."
As the first runner-up, Quiambao brought home a $3,000 cash award, a $3,000 Oscar de la Renta cash scholarship and the Hoya Crystal trophy. In addition she was awarded the Clairol Herbal Essences Style Award for exemplifying a unique sense of hair and personal style.
President Joseph Estrada congratulated Quiambao and lauded her accomplishments.
"Her victory today on the global stage is a source of national pride for all of us. Miriam should inspire us, her countrymen, to excel in our own field of endeavor so we can show that Filipino talents are world-class," the President said.
While Quiambao will not be bringing home the crown, the President said she has made every Filipino proud of her winning ways.
"Her act is nothing short of world-class. It put the Philippines on the global stage once more," he said, pointing out that Quiambao had to compete with 83 other candidates for the title.
The Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc., organizers of the Binibining Pilipinas Beauty Pageant, lauded yesterday Miriam Quiambao for placing first runner-up in the Miss Universe Beauty pageant.
Stella Marquez Araneta, BPCI chairwoman, described Miriam's sensational near-win as "yet another proof that the Filipino woman stands tall and proud in the company of her peers across the globe."
"Binibining Pilipinas-Universe Miriam Quiambao again called the attention of the world to the beauty and strength inherent in the Filipino," Marquez Araneta said.
"The way she stood up to the challenge from initial adversity is an endearing display of charm, resilience. and determination," she said.
For more information about the Miss Universe pageant, visit their homepage at: http://www.missuniverse.com/ and the CBS website at: http://www.cbs.com/
Photo courtesy of and copyrighted by Miss Universe L.P., LLLP.