![]()
A photo grid of the Filipinas who have helped establish the country as a global force in pageantry
It took our 3rd Miss Universe crown courtesy of Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach to finally put the missing piece in the puzzle that has now validated the Philippines as a 100% global force to reckon with in international beauty pageantry. The first installment came last 2013 when Megan Young claimed our first Miss World victory that was perfectly complimented by our first Miss Supranational win via Mutya Johanna Datul and the 5th Miss International glory through the efforts of Bea Rose Santiago.
2014 was a testing ground of sorts for the next installment. But with the hometown victory of Jamie Herrell as Miss Earth counting as the only major breakthrough to speak of, the Filipinos were brought back to the drawing boards for one full year to re-evaluate its impact in the pageant arena.
![]()
Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach in an art layout by Merlito Pabatao
And in 2015 that proved to be the year of getting back with a beautiful vengeance, the Filipinas stamped its class all over again – ending the 42-year drought in Miss Universe, achieving a rare back-to-back in Miss Earth outside its own backyard, snatching our first Miss Globe title, proving that our transgender women are the best for the second time in Miss International Queen, continuing our glorious luck in Malaysia with yet another top finish in Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International and even scoring a surprise honor in Miss Scuba International. Whew! The blessings just keep on coming with a string of nice placements in the other competitions. It’s like the Philippines should always be there – as #1, runner-up, finalist or semifinalist. The list wouldn’t be complete if our representatives did not make the cut at the very least.
![]()
Miss Earth 2015 Angelia Ong in an art layout by Flipposé
So where do we go from here? Some people say that when you’re on top of a pedestal, there’s no other way to go but down. But I daresay that we are now tireless achievers. It’s like filling in the shoes that Venezuela and India stepped into during their enviable years onstage. We have certifiably arrived. We need not feel too bothered of still being crown-less in both Miss Intercontinental and Miss Grand International. The right time will come with these two contests.
How long will this last? Will 2016 put us in the back seat once more? Have we set the bar so high for our next national titleholders to reach? Are we in for some reality check sooner or later? Or will we continue to dominate in fearless fashion?
Being a powerhouse pageant nation has its share of ups and downs. For as long as we are mature enough to accept the fact that it won’t be a bed of roses or a collection of crowns all the time, then we should be in for the long haul regardless of whether we can match, surpass or fall short of the precious gifts that the past three years have generously rewarded us.
Have a restful Sunday, dear readers! Tomorrow, most of us will resume with another back-breaking, traffic-stressed year of work. ;-)
![]()
![]()
For this, the last in the latest pageant heel collection of my favorite shoemaker and designer Jojo Bragais of BRAGAIS™, he has saved the best for our first Miss World Megan Young with two pairs of identical creations in gold and silver. And what else to call them but ‘Megan’. And true to the ideals of promoting “Beauty With A Purpose” his own way, here is what Jojo has to say about the said heels.
