Beauty (titles) run in the family

Let’s do a recap.

The beauty contest season is winding up and this is how the Philippines has fared so far (not so good): Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Carla Gay Balingit lost to Miss Dominican Republic in the Miss University Pageant and so did Jhezarie Javier (to Miss Venezuela) in the Miss International contest, Jamie Liz Castillo (to Miss Russia) in the Miss Asia-Pacific Quest and Laura Marie Dunlap (to Miss Honduras) in the Miss Earth contest.

The only bright note is the victory of 2003 Bb. Pilipinas second-runner-up Noela Mae Evangelista as Miss Globe Tourism International in Turkey.

Four down, one to go.

As usual, beauty-watchers are pinning (even a little hope) on 2003 Bb. Pilipinas-World Maria Rafaela "Mafae" Verdadero Yunon to (if it’s not dreaming too much) bring home the Miss World crown at the grand finals scheduled in Sanya, China, first week of December. The Miss World crown is the only one that has proven elusive to a Filipina. So far, we have two Misses Universe (Gloria Diaz, 1969; and Margie Moran, 1973) and three Misses International (Gemma Cruz, 1965; Aurora Pijuan, 1970; and Melanie Marquez, 1979).

Mafae, 22, is determined to bag that slippery crown.

"My main goal is winning the crown," she said. "It’s the reason why I’m going to China. Of course, a slot in the Top 10 is good enough and in the Top 5 even better. But I want to bring home the title."

The statuesque 5’9" stunner dropped by The STAR offices last week and if you ask any or all of us we’ll tell you that Mafae is a "sure winner" with her charming ways, sunshiny disposition and bedimpled smile.

If Mafae could duplicate (but let’s hope she’d surpass) the record of her aunt, Desiree Verdadero, who placed third runner-up (fourth place) in the 1984 Miss Universe Pageant, I guess that would be good enough. But we hope and pray that she’d do better.

Yes, you guessed it: Beauty (titles) do run in the family. Mafae’s mom, Maria Jessette, is the older sister of Desiree who’s now Mrs. Denden Abesamis (she lost the Miss U title to Yvonne Ryding of Sweden).

"I was only two-years old when Auntie Desiree won as Bb. Pilipnas-Universe. I still have a picture of her wearing a crown and holding a scepter. She kind of influenced and inspired me."

Others who sort of "inherited" beauty-queen qualities from their elders are listed down by Celso Caparas, Funfare’s "other beauty expert," to wit:

• Anita Noble and her daughter Edith Nakpil, and Pura Villanueva and daughter Maria Kalaw all reigned as Carnival Queens.

• Yvonne Berenguer delos Reyes was Miss Philippines of 1955 and her sister, Simonette delos Reyes was Bb. Pilipinas-Universe of 1970.

• Elvie Gonzalez was first runner-up in the 1964 Bb. Pilipinas contest and Miss Press Photography that same year while her daughter Charlene Gonzalez was 1994 Bb. Pilipinas and Miss Universe runner-up that same year.

• 1997 Bb. Pilipinas-World Kristine Gumabao Florendo is the niece of one-time Miss Press Photography Sylvia Gumabao

• 1996 Bb. Pilipinas-International (and semi-finalist in that year’s Miss International Contest) Yedda Marie Mendoza Kittilsved is the niece of 1967 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Pilar Pilapil.

• 2002 Bb. Pilipinas-World Katherine Ann Ramos Manalo (one of the 10 semi-finalists in the 2002 Miss World contest) is the niece of 1968 Bb. Pilipinas-International (and semi-finalist in that year’s Miss International contest) Nini Ramos.

• 1969 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe and Miss Universe Gloria Diaz is, as if the whole world didn’t know, the sister of 1977 Mutya ng Pilipinas (and fourth runner-up in that year’s Miss Asia contest) Rio Diaz

• 1990 Mutya ng Pilipinas (and first runner-up in that year’s Miss Asia contest) Mutya Crisostomo is the daughter of Alice Crisostomo (1970, the first Mutya winner and first runner-up in that year’s Miss Asia contest)

• Ruffa Gutierrez, Bb. Pilipinas-World in 1993 (and Second Princess in that year’s Miss World contest0 is the cousin of 1994 Bb. Pilipinas semi-finalist Janine Barredo

• Aubrey (Sandel) Miles and sister Angelica finished fourth and second runners-up respectively in the 2001 Miss Global Queen Philippines search.

Mafae was discovered by Renee Salud who was also the discoverer-mentor of Desiree and several other beauty titlists as well, including Melanie Marquez; 1980 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe and Miss U third runner-up Chat Silayan; 1981 Bb. Pilipinas Maria Caroline Mendoza (Universe), Alice "Peachy" Sacasa (Miss International semi-finalist), Joyce Ann Burton (Young International) and Josephine Bautista (Maja, Miss Popularity and Best in National Costume in that year’s Miss Maja International); and dozens of other beauty contestants.

"I was athletic and a tomboy and you wouldn’t imagine me growing up to become a beauty queen," said Mafae in a STAR interview." But my love for sports honed my determination, sportsmanship and positive outlook in life."

And, for sure, her 35-24.5-35 whistlebait figure.

Born in Sta. Ana on Aug. 6, 1981, Mafae migrated with her family to Glenwood, New South Wales, Australia when she was barely seven-years-old. She finished high school at the Catherine McAuley School and tucked up a degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management at the University of New South Wales. She speaks French, Spanish, Nippongo, Mandarin, English and Tagalog, and has learned considerable Chinese words before she flew to Sanya for the Miss World contest.

The eldest of three children, Mafae looks up to her father, Manolito Yunon of Tarlac, as her role model. He’s a real estate broker.

"My father would always push me to win, especially in sports competitions. He’d get angry if I failed to make it good. He went through a really rough stage during his younger years. He grew up without a father; the father disappeared during (my father’s) teen-age years. My father grew up with my Lola, his and his brothers’ role model. He worked hard to be where he is now."

Asked if she got any pointers from her Auntie Desiree, Mafae said, "A lot. She reminded me just to be myself and not to pretend; she told me to be as natural as I am."

In China, Mafae will compete with around 110 equally beautiful and brainy contestants in the 2003 (53rd) Miss World contest to be held at the newly-built 4,000-seating capacity Beauty Crown Culture Exhibit Center. The Chinese government is said to be spending a staggering 2.4 billion yuan ($240 million) for the event, a "first" in that country.

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