Miss International beauties share the same fate

The STAR’s exclusive story (and photo) on 2005 Miss International Precious Lara Quigaman, 22, and her boyfriend Michael Dulay Catacutan, 29, a nurse, prompted readers to ask more questions about the couple.

Thus far, the shy guy is keeping mum and refuses to divulge anything more than what The STAR published yesterday.

But Funfare was able to gather more information from people close to Lara and Michael, to wit:

• They met in Aug. 2001 during Michael’s baptism. Asked if it was love at first sight, Michael was quoted as saying, half-joking, "I don’t know, but I think she already had an eye on me." Lara was quoted as saying, "I don’t think so because at that time I was still with my (other-now-ex) boyfriend. Siguro with him, it was love at first sight."

• The two became "steadies" on Feb. 15, 2003. "He was kind of torpe at that time. Our friends had to push him into calling me."

• Asked what he likes about Lara, Michael was quoted as saying, "Her face, especially her lips. Also, her being sweet; it’s as if I would melt when she stares at me. But she can be moody sometimes."

And Lara? "I like his being generous. He gives even though he really doesn’t have much to give anymore. I like his being patient with me even if I annoy him day in and day out."

• The couple admitted that they did talk about getting married, but Michael (as quoted in yesterday’s STAR) said he’s not rushing Lara and is giving her time and space to enjoy her career. Lara was quoted as saying, "Yes, we do plan to get married – three years from now? But we want to make sure that we are really both ready. It’s all up to God’s will and timing really."

I must remind you that these quotes were made from a casual conversation with Lara and Michael the Funfare DPA had with the couple several months ago, long before Lara became 2005 Bb. Pilipinas-International and eventually, 2005 Miss International. It’s possible that, with her social status drastically and dramatically elevated, Lara could change her mind – knock on wood – just as Miriam Quiambao (1999 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe and 1999 Miss Universe first runner-up) did. As you all know, after those two wins and entering showbiz, Miriam broke off with her boyfriend Martin Bernardo (her co-member at a Christian group) and was briefly linked to Hans Montenegro before she married Italian businessman Claudio Rondinelli (they are living happily ever after in Hong Kong where Claudio owns and manages a fine-dining restaurant).

Asked what she advises Lara where affairs of the heart are concerned, Melanie Marquez (l979 Miss International) said, "Now that you are Miss International, please be careful with your heart. Maraming bubuyog na aali-aligid sa’yo. Don’t be gullible, or you’ll end up in misery. Don’t be like me. Nagpaloko sa lalaki."

Words of wisdom, the voice of experience.

Melanie has six children by six different men, only one of whom (actor-producer-director Derek Dee) she married. The other men in her life include Sen. Lito Lapid (father of Melanie’s son Manuelito, now in his early 20s and based in Las Vegas), an Arab sheik and businessman Adam Lawyer, her current husband.

Incidentally, did you know that the two other Misses International also suffered the same fate as Melanie did?

Gemma Cruz, the first Filipina Miss International (1964), is separated from her husband, Tonypet Araneta, by whom she has two beautiful children. For a while, Gemma worked in Mexico. Then, she served as Tourism secretary during the Joseph Estrada administration.

Aurora Pijuan, l970 Miss International, also separated from her husband, Tommy Manotoc, by whom she has two children (one of them is TJ Manotoc, co-host of the ABS-CBN early-morning show Magandang Umaga Pilipinas).

If Lara follows Melanie’s example, chances are that her lovelife might follow another (more positive) direction.

Meanwhile, several readers have been asking Funfare to publish the list of the country’s representatives to the Miss International contest and how they fared. Here it is (compiled by Funfare’s "beauty experts" Felix Manuel, Joey Cezeare, Gery Yumping and Francis Calubaquib):
• 1960 Edita Resureccion Vital – semi-finalist
• 1961 Pilar Arciaga
• 1962 Cynthia Lucero Ugalde – fourth runner-up in the Photogenic Division
• 1963 Monina Medenilla Yllana – semi-finalist
• 1964 Gemma Teresa Guerrero Cruz – Winner
• 1965 Isabelle Barnett Santos
• 1966 no pageant
• 1967 Margarita Lebumfacil Romualdez
• 1968 Nenita Tuazon Ramos – semi-finalist
• 1969 Margaret Rose Orbe Montinola – semi-finalist
• 1970 Aurora McKenny Pijuan – Winner
• 1971 Evelyn Santos Camus – second runner-up
• 1972 Yolanda Adriatico Dominguez – second runner-up, Best in National Costume
• 1973 Mari Elena Suarez Ojeda – fourth runner-up
• 1974 Erlynne Reyes Bernardez
• 1975 Jaye Antonio Murphy – semi-finalist
• 1976 Maria Dolores Suarez Ascalon – semi-finalist, Best in National Costume
• 1977 Ma. Cristina Valentina dela Rosa Alberto – withdrew
• 1978 Luz dela Cruz Policarpio
• 1979 Mimilanie Laurel Marquez – Winner, Best in National Costume, Miss Kumamoto
• 1980 Diana Jeanne Christina Alegarme Chiong
• 1981 Alice Veronica Fernandez Sacasas – semi-finalist
• 1982 Ma. Lisa Adela Gingerich Manibog
• 1983 Flor Eden Guano Pastrana
• 1984 Ma. Bella dela Peña Nachor
• 1985 Sabrina Simonette Marie Roig Artadi
• 1986 Jessie Alice Salones Dixson – semi-finalist
• 1987 Ma. Lourdes Dizon Enriquez
• 1988 Ma. Anthea Oreta Robles
• 1989 Lilia Eloisa Marfori Andanar
• 1990 Jennifer Perez Pingree
• 1991 Ma. Patricia Guzman Betita – semi-finalist
• 1992 Joanne Timotea Babiera Alivio
• 1993 Shiela May Capili Santarin
• 1994 Alma Carvajal Concepcion – semi-finalist, Best in National Costume
• 1995 Gladys Andre Dinsay Duenas – semi-finalist
• 1996 Yedda Marie Mendoza Kittilsvedt – semi-finalist
• 1997 Susan Jane Juan Ritter – semi-finalist
• 1998 Colette Centeno Glazer – semi -finalist
• 1999 Georgina Anne dela Paz Sandico
• 2000 Joanna Maria Mijares Peñaloza
• 2001 Maricarl Canlas Tolosa
• 2002 Kristin Reyes Alzar
• 2003 Jhezarie Gamez Javier
• 2004 Margaret Ann Awitan Bayot – semi-finalist

When it rains, it really pours – and how!

Besides Precious Lara Quigaman, other Filipinos have been bringing home honors to the country only these past few weeks, namely:

• Manny Pacquiao who knocked out Hector Velasquez of Mexico (in the sixth of their 12-round super feather weight bout) last Sept. 11 in Los Angeles.

• Jed Madela and Rizza Navales bagged a total of 11 golds (six by Jed and five by Rizza), one silver at the World Championships of the Performing Arts in Hollywood last month. Jed was named Champion of the World while Rizza was declared champion in the female singing division.

• Last Sept. 24 and 25, Rachelle Ann Go won second prize in the Best Own Country Song category at the Kazakhstan Songfest held in Astana. Rachelle Ann performed Isang Lahi, a composition by Vehnee Saturno, which also won for Best Arrangement over entries from 11 countries.

Hail to the champions!

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