Misses International in showbiz

The new Miss International will be chosen tomorrow, Nov. 6 at the Sichuan Opera Theater in Chengdu, China, with the Philippine bet Dianne Necio aiming for the country’s fifth crown, which is a tall order considering that we have already four winners (Gemma Cruz in 1964, Aurora Pijuan in 1970, Melanie Marquez in 1979 and Precious Lara Quigaman in 2005), all of whom have eventually ventured into showbiz.

As a nod to tomorrow’s event, Funfare’s “other beauty expert” Celso de Guzman Caparas did an honor roll of Misses International lured by the klieg lights. Here they are:

•  Gudrun Maria Bjarnadottir (1963, Iceland) is still active up to now. Among her recent films are Dramarama and No Such Thing (2001), Niceland, Population 1.000.002 (2004), Ég elska big (2009) and Gauragangur (2010).

•  Gemma Teresa Guerrero Cruz (1964, Philippines) had her acting debut in 1968 in Joey Gosiengfiao’s Ate, Ate, Tara Na Sa Pampang, a teleplay by PETA’s TV production Balintataw on Channel 5, with Rosa Rosal, Rita Gomez, Robert Arevalo and Tita Muñoz, directed by Lupita Concio. She also hosted a radio daily program, Krus na Daan, on DZRJ and a TV show, Only Gemma!, on Rajah Broadcasting Corporation.

•  Ma. Aurora McKenny Pijuan (1970, Philippines) topbilled in two movies, as Olive Oyl in Si Popeye atbp.! (opposite Ariel Ureta) and as Moraya, a mute raped by Americans in Sunugin Ang Samar (starring Ramon Revilla Sr.). Aurora was the lead star in Channel 13’s medical series Our Doctors (1973). 

•  Linda Hooks (1972, England) appeared on Anglia Television’s popular quiz show, Sale of the Century, and in several movies during the mid-‘70s.

•  Mimilanie Laurel Marquez (1979, Philippines) was already in showbiz before she was crowned as Miss International on Nov. 12, 1979. Her first movie, Mong (opposite Bonnie de Jesus) directed by her father, Artemio Marquez, was shown on Nov. 2, 1979. Melanie was launched in her title-role movie, Agatona (shown on March 28, 1980), also directed by her father. She has appeared in several TV series and shows. She won Best Actress for The Untold Story of Melanie Marquez in the 1987 Metro Manila Film Festival. In 2000, she was voted The Most Beautiful Miss International.

•  Alejandrina Sicilia Hernandez (1985, Venezuela) is a TV anchor in Venevision’s (Venezuela’s main TV network) Super Sabado Sensacional.

•  Anna Lena Hansen (1995, Norway) enrolled in the prestigious theater school, The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, before she became a full-fledged film and TV actress. Her starrers include Wide Blue Yonder, The Reunion and Aurora.

•   Goizeder Azua (2003, Venezuela) is Globovision’s television and radio show host.

•   Precious Lara Quigaman (2005, Philippines) is a successful movie and TV actress/host. She was a New Best Actress Award nominee in the 23rd PMPC Star Awards for Movies for Umaaraw, Umuulan (2006). She has done mainstream and indie films including Kapag Tumibok Ang Puso (Not Once, But Twice, 2007), Buenavista-Ang Kasaysayan ng Lucena (2009), and Slow Fade and Dalaw (both in 2010). She appeared in ABS-CBN’s top-rating series including Princess Sarah, Kung Fu Kids, Dyosa, May Bukas Pa, Imortal, Sabel and Mutya. She co-hosted the defunct Wowowee, was a judge in Showtime, essayed the role of Laila in Maalaala Mo Kaya’s Kandila episode and as Rima in Diploma, played Monique Benitez in Impostor of Precious Hearts Romances Presents and Lisa in Wansapanataym: Dirty Larry. Coming soon: The indie Babang Luksa.

•  Silvia Priscila Perales Elizondo (2007, Mexico) starred in Univision’s hit telenovela, Eva Luna.

•  Ana Elizabeth Mosquera Gomez (2010, Venezuela) appears in Venevisions’ Super Sabado Sensacional.

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