Miriam looks back on Miss Universe journey 22 years ago

When Miriam Quiambao-Roberto placed first runner-up at the Miss Universe competition in 1999, she recalled that it gave the Philippines the much-needed boost at a time when the morale of pageant enthusiasts was down because of the 26-year drought of not winning the coveted title after Margie Moran in 1973.

“The country was wanting of another beauty queen. Kahit hindi ako nakauwi ng korona, I was the closest one to win that time,” she said in a Zoom interview with The STAR as celebrity endorser of the health and wellness mobile app mWell PH.

Miriam Quiambao during the 1999 Miss Universe competition, where she became first runner-up.

The former beauty queen, now inspirational speaker and TV personality, looked back on her feat as the much-anticipated international beauty contest is drawing near.

Miss Universe Philippines Beatrice Luigi Gomez is currently vying for the crown in this year’s edition to be held tomorrow, Dec. 13 at 8 a.m. (Philippine time) in Eilat, Israel.

Miriam, 46, believed that it was God’s plan for her to become a beauty queen. Before she joined the national pageant Binibining Pilipinas, she prayed about the decision. “In fact, one of my big choices was to choose to pursue physical therapy and take my board exams in Guam, or to choose to join the beauty pageant around the time of the coronation night,” she shared.

The original schedule of her board exam in Guam was on Feb. 19, 1999 and the coronation night of the Binibining Pilipinas was on Feb. 20. It was really a tough decision for Miriam to make, so she had to pray hard for guidance.

“I felt like I was at a crossroad, having to choose between a childhood dream and also a professional dream of mine — I want to become a doctor and practice in the United States. So, I prayed about the decision knowing that God knows what’s best for us. And choosing between two good things, what is best, I had to consult God who created me and has created a great purpose for me.”

The answer was a yes. “I received instructions from the Lord to be visible on coronation night and He specifically gave me Bible verses to help guide my decision. And when I was convicted of this decision, of His guidance, that I should join the pageant, sabi ko, di ba selfish yun Lord because parang pupunta lang ako dun, papakita ko yung kagandahan ko, katalinuhan ko, parang napaka-selfish naman ‘nun? So, there has to be a greater purpose for this.”

The devout Christan recalled being directed to another Bible verse where she drew assurance that this was going to be a “great purpose — to help many people.”

She then realized that Binibining Pilipinas is a charitable organization where she felt she could use the platform to help others. So, Miriam “obeyed” God’s plan and set aside her other goal, which was to pursue physical therapy. Only a few days after she prayed for an answer, she received an envelope from a staff member indicating that she was included in the final 30 of the national pageant.

The following day, she found herself billeted in a hotel, doing preparations, rehearsing and meeting other sponsors until the coronation night. Soon after, she joined the beauty pageant, God has also worked on her schedule to go after her another dream. “I was even willing to give up physical therapy kasi sabi ni Lord, sali ako sa pageant. I learned that my schedule for my physical therapy board exams in Guam was supposed to be originally Feb. 19, but (it) was moved to another month, March. So I was able to join the pageant on Feb 20.” So Miriam flew to Guam in that month to take her board exams for the state of Indiana and she aced it. She was able to hit two birds with one stone, as she became both a beauty queen and a licensed physical therapist.

Miriam originally won the Bb. Pilipinas World title in 1999. The Bb. Pilipinas Universe titleholder was Janella Bautista but she was dethroned due to issues with her residency. Miriam eventually took over, leading to her Miss Universe journey.

“So, I believe it was His plan (for me to be a beauty queen). And even when I fell in the pre-pageant of Miss Universe (international competition), I believe it was predestined even because God used that so that I could be noticed by the judges,” recounted Miriam.

The now-memorable Miss Universe Q&A portion where she was asked about the falling incident, which helped her bag the final-three spot.

She narrated, “I remember the question was, ‘What was the last thing you stood up for?’ And my response was, when I fell on stage last Friday night, which was the pre-pageant. I believe I have stood up for all women who have fallen on or off stage. And I believe that this example of mine, showing who I am, showing my strength as a woman, I hope it will be a good example for all the women of the world, I thank you! O ‘di ‘ba memorized ko pa rin yung sagot ko. Hahaha!”

Today, Miriam is blessed with two children, Elijah and Ziki, to her author and entrepreneur husband Ardy Roberto. The couple are also parents to Ardy’s son Joshua from his first marriage to his late wife.

Meanwhile, on the chances of Bea, an openly LGBTQIA+ member, winning the fifth crown for the Philippines, “sa Miss Universe naman parang open na rin sila. She could have just as much chance as any straight woman,” said Miriam.