Philippines Performance at Big 5 Major International Beauty Pageants

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Gloria Diaz Miss Universe 1969

Pioneering the win at Miss Universe pageant for Philippines, Gloria became the first Filipina to win Miss Universe crown in 1969 in Miami Beach, Florida. With 18 television shows and 46 movies under her belt, there is no need to describe the heights Gloria has achieved as an actress since her crowning. An active member of social media, Gloria shares her daily life with her thirty six thousand followers on Instagram. Following the bold and carefree outlook, she shares many throwback pictures of her and advices about lifestyle and body confidence with her fans.

03 / 15

Margarita Moran Miss Universe 1973

Margarita Moran aka Margie Moran was crowned the second Miss Universe from Philippines in 1973 in Athens, Greece. Margarita is only one of the four Miss Universe winners to also win the Miss Photogenic Award, of all time. Also notable for her social and civic works, especially for promoting peace and livelihood as part of the Mindanao Commission on Women Organization, Moran has had an exceptional run as a crown holder even after the end of her reign. She recently also worked as an ambassador-trustee of Habitat for Humanity Philippines. Margie is not just a peace advocator but is also currently working as the President of Ballet Philippines, realizing her childhood passion of dancing.

04 / 15

Pia Wurtzbach Miss Universe 2015

After a pageant drought of 42 years, Pia Wurtzbach brought home the coveted crown after being crowned Miss Universe 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pia is probably one of the most popular Miss Universe queens to be crowned of all time! Her crowning night is one of the most memorable ones where Steve Harvey mistakenly announced Miss Colombia 2015 Ariadna Gutierrez as the winner instead of Pia. Pia has not just completed her reign successfully but she also works as the HIV/AIDS Awareness advocate post her reign. Having completed numerous television shows and four movies, Pia has made a brand name for herself in the film as well as the fashion industry. Currently she is working on her fifth movie - My Perfect You.

05 / 15

Megan Young Miss World 2013

The one and only Miss World queen from Philippines, Megan Young is an institution in herself. She was crowned Miss World 2013 in Bali, Indonesia on 28th September 2013. Megan, as the reigning queen, worked for the Typhoon Haiyan relief efforts in Philippines as Miss World’s Beauty with a Purpose decided to direct their fundraising activities for the victims of the typhoon by going to different locations around the world. A successful Filipino-American actress, model and TV host, Megan has almost 50 television shows and 12 movies under her belt, her latest movie being Our Mighty Yaya which released last year. Her fan following knows no bounds as she is religiously followed by her two million followers on her official Instagram account.

06 / 15

Gemma Cruz Miss International 1964

Gemma Cruz became the first Filipina and Asian to win Miss International 1964 in California, USA. With a heart of gold, she donated the US$10,000 prize money she won as Miss International to Manila Boys Town and Girls Home, a home for indigent and out of school youth in Marikina City. Gemma worked as the secretary of Tourism of the Philippines from 1st July 1998 to 19th January 2001. She resumed her writing career in 2001 and has now a bi-weekly column editorial section in the Manila Bulletin. She has received an "Outstanding Manileña" and a "Golden Heart" Presidential decoration from President Diosdado Macapagal.

07 / 15

Aurora Pijuan Miss International 1970

Aurora McKenney Pijuan aka Aurora Pijuan became the second titleholder as Miss International 1970 from Philippines. Philippines became the first country to win the title twice after her victory. She is currently an active member of the Gawad Kalinga movement in the rural areas of the Philippines. Gawad Kalinga is a Philippine poverty alleviation and nation-building movement known officially as the Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation. Its mission is to end poverty for 5 million families by 2024.

08 / 15

Melanie Marquez Miss International 1979

Melanie Marquez created history as Philippines became the first country to win the pageant thrice, at her crowing of Miss International 1979 in Japan. She was also the youngest winner, at the age of 15, to win the pageant in 1979. At Metro Manila Film festival, Melanie won Best Actress and Best Story for The Untold Story of Melanie Marquez in 1987. A personality development coach, actress, film producer, author and celebrity endorser, Melanie is a gift to the Philippines pageant industry. Even today, at the age of 53, Melanie is a strong competition to this generation’s beauty aspirants who wish to achieve greatest success and height.

09 / 15

Bea Santiago Miss International 2013

Bea Santiago became the fifth Miss International winner from Philippines as she was crowned on 17th December 2013 in Japan. As the reigning queen, she travelled to Japan and Myanmar for doing charity work with International Cultural Association. As giving as she is, after her crowning, Bea dedicated her crown to the victims of Typhoon Haiyan in Philippines. An actress, model and a beauty queen, Bea is deeply loved by her country. She is also an adventurer by heart who loves her mountains more than the sea.

10 / 15

Lara Quigaman Miss International 2005

After breaking a pageant drought of 26 years, Lara Quigaman won Miss International 2005 on 26th September 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. Since her crowning, the actress has done 10 movies and 60 television shows. Her immense talent and charming personality have made her come this far in the industry. There is no doubt that Lara is one of the most talented pageant queens we have had in the country. Lara is also an Order of Lakandula awardee, one of the highest honors given by the Republic of the Philippines for responsibilities of leadership, prudence, fortitude, courage and resolve in the service of one’s people.

11 / 15

Kylie Verzosa Miss International 2016

Labeled as the most travelled Miss International, Kylie Verzosa became the sixth Filipina to win the coveted pageant on 27th October 2016. A photographer, teacher, model, actress and beauty queen, Kylie made her reign as a queen very productive through her determination for the organization and her advocacy. Kylie was also a part of the movie Ang Pandey along with Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, which released in 2017.

12 / 15

Karla Henry Miss Earth 2008

Karla became the first Filipina as well as the first asian to be crowned Miss Earth 2008 on 9th November 2008. Since 2010, Karla has done three television shows as the host and the judge of the reality TV shows. She has always been involved in working for the community and has helped to save energy and spread awareness about reduced energy consumption with the help of World Wide Fund.

13 / 15

Jamie Herrell Miss Earth 2014

Jamie Herrell was crowned Miss Earth 2014 on 29th November 2014 in Philippines as she became the second crown holder from Philippines to win the coveted title. Herrell is also a recipient of the Outstanding Individual Award at the 80th Cebu City Charter Day Awarding Ceremony for her environmental advocacies. Herrell was commended by the office of the President of the Philippines and The office of the Philippine President, Benigno Aquino III for winning the title and placing Philippines on the world map in terms of beauty and talent.

14 / 15

Angelia Ong Miss Earth 2015

Angelia Ong was crowned Miss Earth 2015 on 5th December 2015 in Austria, making history as a consecutive win for Philippines two years in a row. During the pre-pageant activities, Angelia won a silver medal for the Miss Friendship award and a bronze medal for the evening gown competition. Angelia also received President and Congress commendations on her crowning.

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Karen Ibasco Miss Earth 2017

Karen Ibasco won the only crown for Philippines in 2017 at any major beauty pageant as she was crowned Miss Earth 2017 on 4th November 2017. A Filipina Physicist and beauty queen, Karen voiced her support for the fuel excise tax provision at one of the hearings conducted by the Senate ways and means committee on the proposed Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act (TRAIN). Not just a beauty, Karen is an informed and enlightened citizen of the word who has been working tremendously for the betterment of Mother Nature since her crowning.