The Mentors Queens of Pinay Beauty Queen Academy – Clockwise from the top – Lara Quigaman, Joyce Ann Burton, Ali Forbes, Evangeline Pascual and Maribel Lopez
The year 2010 was a remarkable one for Pinoy pageant fans; that was when Venus Raj brought the Philippines back on the radar after placing 4th Runner-up in Miss Universe. Since then our beauties have been winning accolades in international beauty tilts and the question people often ask is why are we winning now?
My answer is this – we’re finally selecting and training our girls the right way! Becoming a beauty queen is no longer just a one time deal; it has become a career in our country. THAT’s why we are winning.
Enter: Pinay Beauty Queen Academy, a reality TV show that will show viewers just how strict the selection process of candidates is and just how rigorous the training can be for those who compete.
I’m proud to announce that I’ll be one of the beauty queen mentors along with my dear sisters:
Lara Quigaman now Alcaraz… Lara has the highest title among us with the Miss International 2005 crown. She is now juggles her time between being a mom and an actress in a fanta-serye.
Evangeline Pascual is the most senior and beauty among us. She was Miss World 1973 1st Runner-up and is currently chairman of the Actors’ Guild in the Philippines.
Ali Forbes is the youngest in our group. She who won 3rd Runner-up in Miss Grand International 2013 and was 1st Runner-up in Bb. Pilipinas 2012. I hear that she still has plans to compete again in Bb. Pilipinas.
Maribel Lopez – The most controversial queen in the group, she is an award-winning actress, a painter and curator of arts. Her title is Bb. Pilipinas Universe 1982.
ABQ blog author Joyce Burton Titular with singer comedienne Joy Viado
Pinay Beauty Queen Academy will also feature singer/comedienne/actress Joy Viado as the funny girl providing comic relief to make sure things don’t get boring. She certainly is the perfect foil to us queens as she is unafraid to say what’s on her mind and can get away with telling you to your face why you’re ugly!
But in fairness to Joy, she knows how to give praise but you have to deserve it to get good words from her. The queens had so much fun with her in the dressing room and on the set with all her antics and stories!
These photos, by the were all taken during the 1st day of taping where we shot the teaser for Pinay Beauty Queen Academy. I’ll be posting more information on how you can join the competition but according to producer Robby Tarroza, the initial screening will be purely online and only those who pass the online screening will be invited to the first go-see.
The qualifications for joining are generally the same as those applying for Bb. Pilipinas, Miss World Philippines, Miss Philippines Earth or Mutya ng Pilpinas. I’ll be posting more details on the qualifications, the official website and what network will be showing PBQ Academy SOON!
TBQ withwith Lara Quigaman Alcaraz and Evangeline Pascual in the dressing room!
