Davao region may not be the epicentre when it comes to seeing and hearing beauty pageant winners turning to politics after their reign or as a result of marriage. Most popular among them is Imelda Romualdez, a former Miss Manila, who used her marriage to Ferdinand E. Marcos as a stepping stone towards political fame. She eventually became assemblyman, Metro Manila governor, congressman, and Human Settlements minister.
Locally, two beauty queens immediately come to mind.
Merced Edith Nakpil-Rabat was Miss Philippines 1956 but later became Davao Oriental lawmaker and deputy tourism minister following the political footsteps of her husband, basketball icon Francisco ‘Paking’ Rabat, who served as governor of the same province.
Nakpil-Rabat’s pedigree was quite impressive. Her mother, Anita Noble, was Miss Philippines 1926, and her father was Juan Nakpil, the 1973 National Artist for Architecture. Her grandparents on the father side were Julio Nakpil, the first secretary of Andres Bonifacio and compose of the first national anthem, and Gregoria de Jesus, the lakambini of the Katipunan.
Another beauty queen who has made a name of politics is Mariss Salvador-Abella, who was Mutya ng Dabaw 1977. Married to Santo Domingo barangay captain Ralph Abella and now on her final term, she is the daughter of three-term Davao City councillor Pedro ‘Pedring’ Salvador (1992-2001). Her aunt, Claudia Salvador, was many times the village chief of Buhangin while a first-degree cousin, James the son of Claudia, is on his third term as of the same barangay.
Of course, there are also notable beauty queens in our midst that have focused their energy in other initiatives. 1973 Miss Universe Margarita Moran-Floirendo is busy with her socio-cultural undertakings while 2002 Miss Kadayawan Juliana Palermo (born Alvi July Juanico) is now into food business, which carries the label J Palermo Diner.
The Filipina as beauty pageant winner has become a world legend. The Philippines, without dispute, is now the only country that has snared all the five major global titles, dislodging Valenzuela. Based on performance, it has won tiaras in Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss International, Miss Supranational, and Miss Grand International. In 2017 alone, the Philippines has brought home nine—yes, 9!—crowns, both in men and women competitions.
Baguio native John Fernandez Raspado, on May 11, 2017, snared the Miss Gay World in Madrid, Spain. Half a month later, Rizza Paula Infante, a resident of Silay City, Negros Occidental, won the Miss Culture World Heritage, which was held in the country, in San Juan City, May 26, 2017. Meanwhile, Al-Hakam Reggie Dimalanas of Buluan, Maguindanao, took home the Mister Culture World Arts title in that same competition.
Beatrice Andrada of Quezon City and Canada snatched the Miss Asia-Pacific in a pageant held in Ilo, Peru on May 28, 2017. Shirleena Joice Espinosa of Olongapo City won the Princess of the World 2017 in Bulgaria on July 26, 2017. On the other hand, Kathleen Paton of Boracay, Aklan, brought home the crown in the Miss Teen International 2017 held in Bangkok, Thailand, on September 23, 2017.
Moreover, Teresita Ssen Lacsamana Marquez, daughter of actors Joey Marquez and Alma Moreno, won the Reina Hispanoamericana crown on the country’s first try, held in Sta. Cruz, Bolivia on Nov. 4, 2017. Karen Ibasco of Manila won for the country its fourth Miss Earth; the pageant was held at the Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City, on Nov. 4, 2017. Jodel Padao Mesina of Cebu won the country’s first Miss Top of the World Plus Size in Singapore on Nov. 13, 2017.
Seven other Filipino pageant contestants also made good showings in various tilt.
Elizabeth Clenci of Mandaue City landed second runner-up in the Miss Grand International held in Phu Quoc, Vietnam, on Oct. 27, 2017, while Nelda Ibe of Tarlac City was runner-up in the Miss Globe contest held in Tirana, Albania, on Nov. 3, 2017. Mariel del Leon of Manila, daughter of actors Christopher de Leon and Sandy Andolong, was top 25 in the Miss International tilt held in Tokyo, Japan on Nov. 4, 2017.
Laura Lehman of Manila landed in top 40 in the Miss World held in Sanya, China, on Nov. 18, 2017, while Rachel Loiuse Obregon Peters of Canaman, Camarines Sur, made it to top 10 in the Miss Universe held at Las Vegas, USA on Nov. 26, 2017. Chanel Olive Thomas of Cairns, Australia, was in top 10 in the Miss Supranational, held in Poland and Slovak Republic on Dec. 1, 2017 while Yves Campos of Cebu was top 20 in Mister Supranational, held in Krynica Zdroj, Poland, on Dec. 2, 2017.
Award-winning entertainment writer Ricky Lo wrote his column (The Philippine Star, March 13, 2007) about a number of beauty queens who entered politics, win or lost. Some joined the government and created a good impression, among them:
Pura Villanueva, the first beauty queen of the Manila Carnival in 1908, was statesman Teodoro Kalaw, the national librarian. Their daughter, Maria Kalaw-Katigbak, was Carnival Queen in 1931 and became senator in 1961. Trinidad De Leon Roxas, Carnival Queen of 1920, was the first beauty queen to become First Lady when husband, Manuel Roxas, became president.
Virginia Llamas, 1922 Carnival Queen, married Jose P. Romulo, one-time president of the UN General Assembly. Mercedes Montilla, 1936 Carnival Queen and daughter of Gil Montilla, the first speaker of the Philippine Assembly, ran for mayor in Sipalay, Negros, to replace her husband who was killed before the elections. Cristina Castaner, 1956 La Flor De Manila, married Juan Ponce Enrile, who became senator, secretary of Justice and Defense minister.
Gemma Cruz, Miss International 1964, was appointed Director of the National Museum in 1968 and became a member of the National Historical Commission. She was Tourism Secretary during the Erap administration. Pilar Pilapil,Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 1967, ran for the Senate in 2004 but withdrew. Clavel Asas Martinez, Miss Caltex finalist 1967, was elected member of the Philippine Congress representing the fourth district of Cebu in 1998.
Nini Ramos Licaros, Bb. Pilipinas-International 1968, was one-time councilor of Makati while Aurora Pijuan â₠Miss International 1970, ran for congressman in Makati. Elsa Payumo, Miss Caltex 1963, one-time councilor of Makati.
Nelia Sancho, 1969 Bb. Pilipinas first runner-up and 1971 Queen of the Pacific, tried her luck in the 1987 Senate polls. Rio Diaz‚ 1977 Mutya ng Pilipinas-Asia Pacific, meanwhile, was elected vice mayor of Pontevedra, Negros Occidental, in 1998. Star Singson Querubin, Mutya ng Pilipinas-World 1989, was elected Manila councilor.
