Invitation to the Queens’ Reunion!
Helloooo ABQ Readers! Just want to share with you photos of the beauties at the Bb. Pilipinas Queens’ Reunion last March 15, 2013 at Madame Stella Marquez Araneta’s home which is fondly called the “Bahay na Puti” or the White House. There are two or three beauty queens that I failed to identify, if you recognize them please leave a comment.
According to Stella Marquez Araneta, the Queens’ Reunion is the first-ever official gathering of all past (and present) Bb. Pilipinas beauty queen title-holders over the past 50 years outside of coronation nights.
It was my first time to see Madame Stella’s sprawling mansion which is grand but simple. An elegant home with a touch of history in it. We all gathered in the entertainment hall in front of the swimming pool and then had a ‘class picture’ at the grand staircase.
Anyway, I’ve got a gazillion photos to share with you and I’ll just let them tell you the story of what happened at the Queens’ Reunion!
PS: To eagle-eyed pageant historians out there, please leave a comment if you spot any mistakes in titles, years, names, spelling, etc. I also was not able to identify three beauty queens, please help!!
Scroll down to the very bottom of this post to see our “beauty queen class photo” at the grand staircase!
Anette Liwanag and Chiqui Brosas are batchmates from 1975. Anette was Bb. Pilipinas Miss Maja and placed 4th runner-up in her international pageant. Chiqui also placed 4th runner-up in Miss Universe, the same title that Venus Raj carries.
Betsy Westendorp (lady in white jacket) painted this portrait of Madame Stella (lady in black). Beauty Queens in photo – Miss International 2005 Lara Quigaman (left) with Miriam Quiambao (Miss Universe 1st RU 1999) beside her. Far left is actress Ruffa Gutierrez (Miss World 2nd Princess 1993), next to her is Miss Universe 1969 Gloria Diaz. This portrait hangs in the formal dining hall of Madame Stella’s home.
Bb. Pilipinas International 1984 Jane Brumitt (left) with Sharon Hughes, Miss Young International 1982. Both Queens did not compete in their respective international pageants as there was none during the year of Sharon while Jane had entry problems. But Jane got sent instead to compete in the Miss Maja 1984 where she placed as a semifinalist.
Kate Manalo, Top 10 in Miss World 2002!
Current Queens (at time of photo) – Bb. Pilipinas Tourism 2012 Katrina Dimaranan (in white) and Nicole Schmitz, Top 15 Miss International 2012!
Lara Quigaman Miss International 2005! She’s a new mom and you can see the glow of it on her lovely face…
Lovely smile from Miriam Quiambao, Miss Universe 1st RU 1999…
L-R Miss International 2nd RU 1971 Evelyn Camus, former consul to Morocco Fortune Aleta Ledesma (she was a runner-up in the year of Nini Licaros 1968), Miss Young International Philippines 1982 Sharon Hughes, Miss Maja 2nd RU 1981 Izza Gonzales and ABQ author Joyce Burton Titular, Bb. Pilipinas Universe 1985
L-R Miss Maja 2nd RU 1981 Izza Gonzales, Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2002 Karen Agustin, Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2008 Jennifer Barrientos, Miss Universe Photogenic 2006 Lian Ramos, Miss World 4th RU 2003 Mafae Yunon, Madame Stella Araneta, Miss International 2005 Lara Quigaman, Miss World 2nd RU 1993 Ruffa Gutierrez and Miss Supranational 3rd RU 2012 Elaine Kay Moll.
L-R Miss International 1991 Top 15 finalist Patty Betita, Bb. Pilipinas Maja 1992 Marina Benipayo, Miss Universe 3rd RU 1984 Desiree Verdadero, Bb. Pilipinas International 1984 Jane Brumitt and Ma. Bella Nachor – Bb. Pilipinas Maja 1984!
Miss World 2003 4th RU Mafae Yunon! Sexy forevah!
The Manalo sisters – Pamela Bianca (left) and Kate! Pamela won Bb. Pilipinas Universe in 2009 while Kate was a semifinalist in Miss World 2002!
Bb. Pilipinas International 2001 Maricarl Tolosa (left) and Karen Agustin, 2002 Bb. Pilipinas Universe…
My dream photo! Here I am (in the white and green dress) with our most recent Miss Universe winners Shamcey Supsup (left, 3rd RU Miss Universe 2011), Venus Raj (Miss Universe 4th RU 2010) and Janine Tugonon (right, Miss Universe 1st RU 2012). Happiness!
Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2009 Pamela Bianca Manalo is dear to my heart because we share the same title and my blog ABQ began during her year!
One of my favorite-ever Bb. Pilipinas International winners, Peachy Sacasas! She placed in the Top 15 of Miss International in 1981, the same year I won Miss Young Philippines. We also happen to be church-mates at Union Church of Manila!
I LOVE THESE QUEENS! Miss Young International Philippines 1982 Sharon Hughes (left) with my batch mate Miss Maja 2nd RU 1981 Izza Gonzales!
Warm hug between Queen of Queens Madame Stella (left) and actress Ruffa Gutierrez who did the country proud when she won 2nd RU in Miss World 1993!
L-R Former Consul to Morocco Fortune Aleta Ledesma, Miss Young International Philippines 1982 Sharon Hughes, then Miss Maja 2nd RU 1981 Izza Gonzales, and Miss World 4th RU 2003 Mafae Yunon (far right)
A beautiful grin from Ana Igpit, Bb. Pilipinas World 2006!
L-R Artist Betsy Westendorp (she is often a judge at Bb. Pilipinas and is the bff of Madame Stella), Miss Universe Photogenic 1971 Vida Doria and Madame Stella Marquez Araneta…
Miss Universe 3rd RU 1984 Desiree Verdadero (top), Bb. Pilipinas International 1984 Jane Brumitt (left) and in the foreground – Ma. Bella Nachor – Bb. Pilipinas Maja 1984…
Bb. Pilipinas Tourism 1993 Jeanette Fernando (left) with ABQ author Joyce Burton Titular…
L-R – Two Bb. Pilipinas Universe winners: Jennifer Barrientos (2008) and Lian Ramos (2006, Miss Universe Photogenic winner)
Just look at these beautiful smiles from the Philippines! L-R Miss International 2005 Lara Quigaman, Bb. Pilipinas Tourism 2011 Isabella Manjon, Bb. Pilipinas World 2010 Czarina Gatbonton, Miss International Top 15 in 2011 Dianne Necio and Danielle Castano Bb. Pilipinas World 2008!
Karla Bautista, 4th RU Miss World 2004!
Miss World 4th RU 2003 Mafae Yunon (left) with Bb. Pilipinas 2002 Karen Agustin and Miss International 2005 Lara Quigaman (right)…
Bb. Pilipinas International 2001 Maricarl Tolosa (left) with Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2002 Karen Agustin…
Bb. Pilipinas International 2001 Maricarl Tolosa lookin’ atcha!
Bb. Pilipinas Maja 1992 Marina Benipayo taking a photo of me taking a photo of her!
Our 1st-ever Miss Universe Gloria Diaz (1969) speaks to the beauty queen crowd. Behind her L-R are Shamcey Supsup (Miss Universe 3rd RU 2011), Janine Tugonon (Miss Universe 1st RU 2012 and Venus Raj (Miss Universe 4th RU 2010). When will the Philippines ever grab that elusive Miss Universe 2nd runner-up title? aahahaahaha!
Miss International Top 15 in 2008, Patricia Fernandez!
Actress (and Miss World 2nd RU 1993 Ruffa Gutierrez (left) with ABQ author Joyce Burton Titular. We actually shot a movie together – “Binibini ng Aking Panaginip” (I was contrabida, Ruffa was lead) together with basketball player Jayvee Gayoso. Did I get his name right?
Madame Stella Araneta Marquez, the beauty and brains behind the highly successful Bb. Pilipinas franchise greets the beauty queens. Behind her L-R are Shamcey Supsup (Miss Universe 3rd RU 2011), Janine Tugonon (Miss Universe 1st RU 2012 and Venus Raj (Miss Universe 4th RU 2010).
Class Photo of the Bb. Pilipinas Queens Reunion 2013 courtesy of Felix Manuel
