By RONALD CONSTANTINO
MISS UNIVERSE – As “promised” Highspeed, after writing about Miss International, focuses on the three other major beauty pageants, starting with the most popular among Filipinos, Miss Universe.
The first Filipina to win the title in 1969 is Gloria Diaz, witty and smart, “flooring” the judges with her “man on the moon visiting the Philippines” answer. She turned out to be a very fine actress, winning awards for “Barang Westside” and “Rizal sa Dapitan.”
After four years (1973) Margie Moran won the Miss Universe crown in Athens, Greece, where she was the favorite (Miss Photogenic and best in swimsuit). She made one movie opposite Cocoy Laurel, “Oh Margie Oh,” where she showed her dancing skill. Margie’s the president of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
It took some 40 years in 2015 before the country won the third Miss U crown, Pia Wurtzbach. She’s a Star Cinema artist.
MISS WORLD – The first and to date the only Filipina to win the Miss World title is Megan Young. She’s a GMA contract star, “engaged,” more or less to another GMA artist, Mikael Daez.
MISS EARTH – Four Filipinas have won the Miss Earth crown, the first being Karla Henry.
She was followed by Jamie Heller, Angelia Ong, and Karen Ibasco. Not one of them joined showbiz. They appeared every now and then in TV shows. Karen is a physics professor.
Miss Earth is based in Manila.
