Body Talk with Gwendoline Ruais

Looking back, what does Gwendoline Ruais consider her most unforgettable moment at the 2011 Miss World pageant in which she was named first runner-up to Miss Venezuela?  

“Of course,” said Gwen, “it would have to be the coronation night. Being on the Miss World stage, feeling the pressure mixed with the excitement of representing my country; feeling the love and support of my family and all the Filipinos, hearing all their screams fill the arena, etc. Truly unforgettable.”

It was a good enough finish, but could she have done things differently to clinch the first Miss World title for the country (before Megan Young did)?  

“I was the first Miss World Philippines,” Gwen continued, “and like a first-born child, you have to go through the world first and discover how it works alone. And after you’ve learned from your experience, you have the opportunity to share your knowledge with your little sisters. During that first year, I can honestly say that I did my very best with the knowledge and amount of time I was given before being sent to compete internationally. Thus, there is nothing that I would have done differently.”

Since she relinquished her crown to Queenierich Rehman, Gwen has been busy modeling, hosting, working on various TV shows and, most especially, on the recently-concluded reality pageant show Gusto Kong Maging Beauty Queen.

“I am working in that ‘industry’ but now I have given myself a new challenge and it all starts with launching my very own blog and book about Beauty & Health. So please watch out for www.gwenruais.com and for more updates about my blog and book, you can also check out my Instagram and Twitter @gwenruais.”

Gwen towers at 5’11”, weighs 126 lbs. and measures 35-25-36. She’s a Sagittarius (Dec. 11, 1989).

Is everybody in the family as tall as she is?

“Yes. But I never really measured my height before I joined pageants, kasi it was never a big deal growing up because everyone in my family is tall. Actually, I am the shortest in my family. Mom and I are pretty much the same height. My dad, older sister and younger brother are taller than we are. I am the second among three children.”

Gwen’s dad is French and her mom is Filipina. She was born in the Philippines and moved to Thailand when she was two years old, then to France when she was five years old and back to the Philippines when she was 11. She holds an AB in Business Management degree from the Honors Program of Sunderland University in the United Kingdom.

“I’ve been living here since then,” she enthused. “I love being bi-cultural because I have the privilege of benefiting from what I think is ‘the best of both worlds,’ by assimilating different elements from each culture (like the good morals and values of the Filipinos, and the very liberal state of mind of the French). So I’d say it’s a good 50-50.”

Is it hard to maintain a body like yours? Do you starve yourself to maintain it? 

“It isn’t hard when you adopt the right lifestyle. It’s all about balance and making a few simple changes in habits (all of which I plan on discussing in my upcoming blog and book).”

What sort of diet do you regularly follow? 

“I don’t follow any specific diet really. I love food, and so I eat what makes me happy. But I make conscious choices to try and make what I want to eat healthier (like replacing French fries with a lettuce and French vinaigrette, for example). And if I can’t make it healthier (like when I crave a fast-food burger) then I make sure my next meal is super healthy (like grilled fish and grilled veggies with blended frozen fruits for dessert).”

What’s usually for breakfast, lunch and dinner? 

“My healthy, yummy and super easy breakfast is fruits smoothies (my new favorite right now is banana, mango, homemade peanut butter, homemade almond milk, cashew nuts, plus chia seeds and flaxseed for added health benefits). No sugar or anything needed, it’s super, yummy and sweet na. As for lunch and dinner it depends. If I’m out and about, then I just eat out and choose among one of my favorite healthy restaurants. But if I have time, I make baon. Either way, my favorites are carbs (spaghetti, whole grain breads, etc.), dairy products (fresh milk, yogurt, cheeses, etc.), salmon, tilapia, fruits, everything coconut, etc.”

Snacks between meals? 

“Almonds, cashew nuts, chocolate-covered berries, healthy chips, singkamas, cold fruits, homemade lemonade, cold mint tea, fruit smoothies, etc.”

How much water do you take per day? 

“I try to drink at least 1.5 liters a day.”

Food that you usually crave for? 

“Cheesy dishes or sweet desserts.”

What vitamins are you taking? 

“I just take regular multivitamins to stay balanced.”

How much workout do you do? 

“I don’t work out much but one of my New Year resolutions is to go to the gym regularly just to be more toned all around.” 

Your body looks perfect. But any part that needs improvement? 

“Perfect? Naks! Thanks naman! LOL! Well, I want to get ‘perfect’ abs. That’s one of my personal goals.”

And the most vulnerable part? 

“Just like all tall people, I think it’s my back. When I get tired or when I wear heels for too long, it gets a bit sore.”

Favorite part of your body? 

“My long legs!”

What part of a guy’s body do you notice first? 

“The face because it is really the gateway to a person’s soul. That is what you ‘read’ to find out if he is a good person.”

And what’s in a man that turns you off? 

“A bad attitude. Manners, humility and kindness are very important to me.”

How do you take care of your skin? 

“I don’t do much. I just try to moisturize when I have time.”

Any other beauty regimen? 

“Keep it simple. Sometimes when you do too much it irritates your skin and makes it worse. Stick to the natural remedies. All I do is wash with a moisturizing soap and moisturize.”

How much sleep do you get per night? 

“A lot. More than the normal eight hours.”

Favorite sleepwear? 

“La Senza spaghetti top and shorts.”

How many pillows do you sleep with? 

“Two. One for my head and one life-size body pillow to hug all night.”

Do you snore? 

“Sometimes when I’m tired.”

Do you talk in your sleep? 

“Sometimes when I’m also tired! LOL!”

Do you sleepwalk? 

“Not that I’m aware of.”

Last thing that you do before you go to sleep? 

“Check my phone, turn on my alarm.”

And the first thing that you do as soon as you wake up? 

“Switch off my alarm, check my phone.”

How do you relax, cope with stress?  

“I watch series, movies and eat sweet food.”

Favorite hideaway?

“The streets of Paris. Or the beaches of the Philippines.”

How’s your nightlife? 

“I don’t go out much anymore. But when I do, it’s with all my friends and David, and it’s a night filled with dancing.” (David Semerad is a member of the Red Lions team, of San Beda College where he and his twin brother Anthony are Business Marketing/Communication seniors. David and Gwen are engaged.)

How’s your love life? Describe David. Anything you have in common aside from having foreign blood? 

“My love life has never been better. I am so happy. David is full of life, positivity, strength, etc. He pushes me to be the best I can be and supports me no matter what my goal is.”

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