A Family Affair

"It runs in the blood." This adage is true even in beauty pageants. We listed winners of different Miss Philippines' title who proved that winning a beauty title is in fact, a family affair.

Number 5: Mother and Daughter  - Elvira and Charlene Gonzales

Representation: Miss Universe 1994

Elvie joined Binibining Pilipinas twice; first was in 1964 where she was adjudged First Runner Up to the winner Myrna Panlilio, and second in 1965 where was declared Fourth Runner Up to the eventual winner Louise Vail Aurelio. She entered show-business and was linked to Bernard Bonnin whom she got two children; actor Richard Bonnin and Charlene Gonzales. Charlene joined Bb. Pilipinas 1994 (which was held on October 1993) and later on represented Philippines when it hosted Miss Universe 1994 in Manila. She made it the Top 6 which was the highest placement since Pebbles Asis semi-final placement in Miss Universe 1987.

Number 4: Mother and Daughter  - Alice and Mutya Crisostomo Laxa

Representation: Miss Asia Quest 1970, Miss Asia Pacific Quest 1992

Alice and Mutya Crisostomo is the first mother and daughter winner of the Mutya ng Pilipinas title. Alice won in 1970 and was later on adjudged as Miss Asia 1970 - First Runner Up. She was paired with Tony Ferrer in the movie "The Golden Child" in 1971. A year after, the two got married and had two children; Mutya (perhaps named after Alice's Mutya ng Pilipinas title) and Falcon.  In 1990, Mutya joined the same pageant and won Mutya ng Pilipinas Asia Pacifc. Since there was no Miss Asia Pacific pageant held in 1990 and 1991, Mutya got to represent the Philippines in the 1992 edition of the pageant. She placed 2nd Runner to the eventual winner Tali Ben Harush from Israel.

Number 3: Aunt and Nieces - Nini Ramos, Katherine, Bianca and Nicole Manalo 

Representation: Miss International 1968, Miss World 2002, Miss Universe 2009, Miss Globe 2016

Only the Manalos achieved a three-way title win in the Binibining Piilipinas history. Make it four including their aunt Nini Ramos' Miss International 1968 semi-final placement. They represented their family and of course the Philippines in three out of Big 4 beauty pageants;  International, World and Universe, then one minor pageant for Nicole which is Miss Globe 2016. While Nini, Katherine and Nicole made it to the semifinals, nobody among the four made a top placement. Bianca on the other hand was the last Miss Universe Philippine before Venus Raj ended the eleven-year-semi-final-placement-drought for the Philippines.

Number 2: Aunt and Niece - Desiree Verdadero and Rafaela Verdadero Yunon

Representation: Miss Universe 1984, Miss World 2003

Only the Verdaderos made a back-to-back Top 5 placement for the Philippines in Miss Universe and Miss World. While both are expected to win during their respective pageant finals, Desiree ended Fourth Runner Up, while Mafe didn't place in the Top 3. Sweden's Yvonne Ryding won the Miss Universe 1984 crown, while Ireland's Rosanna Davison won the Miss World 2003 crown. Mafe is the daughter of Desiree's sister.

Number 1: Sisters Gloria and Rio Diaz

Representation: Miss Universe 1969, Miss Asia Quest 1977.

Gloria Diaz became the first Filipina Miss Universe in 1969. When the late-younger-sister Rio Diaz signified interest in pageantry, she thought she had a big shoe to fill if she joins Binibining Pilipinas. She chose Mutya ng Pilipinas 1977 pageant instead and went home with one of the crowns -- Mutya ng Pilipinas Asia 1977. In the international level, she made it to the Top 5 but placed last as the Fourth Runner Up. Just like her sister Gloria, she entered showbiz but was inclined more in hosting. She entered politics when she got married to Charlie Cojuangco and got elected as Vice Mayor of Pontevedra, Negros Occidental. She was diagnosed with colon cancer and died on October 4, 2004 at the age of 45. 

No Miss World from a Miss Universe Host Country Policy

Some of the hard-core pageant fanatics claimed that the reason why Catriona Gray was not favored to win the Miss World 2016 crown was because of the two national directors from Puerto Rico Wilnelia Merced - Forsyth and Liliana Tanoesoedibjo from Indonesia. Others claimed that it was because of the Philippines's refusal of Miss World Organization's proposal through Megan young to host the Miss World 2014 pageant but embraced Miss Universe Organization's offer to hold the pageant in Manila for the third time. As a long time pageant analyst, it seems there's a semblance of truth in the second allegation. Not just a little, but a big semblance of truth.

Miss World is based in United Kingdom. It's platform is seen to be more for the causes of humanity. Most of the time, the winner comes from Africa, Asia and the Carribean, if not from a third-world country. Miss Universe on the other hand is a picture of glamour and sophistication. Whilst there are certain causes that Miss Universe also uphold, the reign of a Miss Universe is still perceived to be a stepping-stone to entertainment stardom.

With that said, a lot of pageant aficionado believes that Miss World holds a no Miss World winner from a country hosting a Miss Universe policy. For sure this is the first time you've heard about this. This is particularly true with the Philippines. Not just once, not twice, but three times.

Miss World 1973 Marjorie Wallace of USA with First Runner Up Evangeline Pascual of the Philippines

Margarita Moran was crowned Miss Universe 1973 on July 21, 1973. In the next four months, Philippines would have achieved it's first Miss Universe-Miss World back-to-back win. However, a few weeks prior to the Miss World Finals in London, Miss Universe released a statement it would hold next year's pageant edition in the Philippines, Moran's home country.. Despite Pascual's strong showmanship and her witty final interview answer in Miss World 1973, Miss World favored USA's Marjorie Wallace to win.

By the time Wallace was fired for not fulfilling her duties, Miss World Organization held a no title conferment decision to Evangeline Pascual. She was offered just the duties and responsibilities without the title. Why? Well, no Miss World title from a Miss Universe hosting country policy. Miss Universe would benefit more than Miss World if  a reigning Miss World winner is from a country which is hosting the Miss Universe during her reign.

With Pascual's refusal of the offer, it was expected of Miss World to take it against the Philippines and declare a no-semi-final placement in the next eight (8) years. Philippines decided to abstain sending representative to the pageant in 1976 and 1977.

First Princess Palesa Mofokeng of South Africa with

Miss World 1993 Lisa Hanna of Jamaica and Second Princess Ruffa Gutierrez of the Philippines

When Ruffa Gutierrez failed to grab the Bb. Pilipinas Universe 1993 title from Dindi Gallardo, a lot of pageant fans thought about a a would-be neck-to-neck battle between her, Milka Chulina of Venezuela and of course the eventual Miss Universe 1993 winner Dayanara Torres from Puerto Rico. But Bb. Pilipinas Charities Inc. insider spilled that Ruffa's Bb. Pilipinas World placement was intentional. Ruffa has been eyed to be the first Filipina Miss World.

Ruffa had the most anticipated welcome in Miss World 1993. Upon landing in the airport in Sun City, South Africa, media feasted on her spontaneity and being game in answering questions; be it pageant related or personal. Ruffa was involved in the Bruneiyuki Scandal which got sensationalized a month before her official Miss World send-off.

However, during the coronation night, pageant fans worldwide was left disappointed when Ruffa was called as the Second Princess, with Lisa Hanna from Jamaica eventually crowned Miss World 1993.

Now going back on October 1993, Miss World Incorporated made a press release announcing the Philippines as the host country of Miss Universe 1994. What was thought of as a tourism-industry milestone for the Philippines was a sad thing to note for Ruffa. Well, nobody thought about it. Not until it happened again to Catriona Gray in Miss World 2016.

Miss Worlds; Philippines' Catriona Gray, Puerto Rico's  Stephanie del Valle and Kenya's Evelyn Thungu

Perhaps it's now easy for you to connect the dots. Perhaps it's not really about the two national directors who sat as judges. Perhaps it's not really about Megan Young overshadowing the Miss World Philippines candidates. Perhaps it's all about the "No Miss World from a Miss Universe Host Country Policy" that left Catriona with no crown. Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps.

Julia Morley and the Petition to Show Miss World 2016 Final Scorecards

The Miss World 2016 Finals held in Washington DC, USA on December 18, 2016 would have been just one of the ordinary pageant finals in the Miss World history had it not been marred with controversy regarding two national directors; Liliana Tanoesoedibjo from Indonesia, and Wilnelia Merced - Forsyth from Puerto Rico who sat as final telecast judges. Well, not an issue at all had Indonesia not won 2nd Runner Up and Puerto Rico not crowned as the new Miss World.

While there are a lot of pageant fans who respect the results, a lot of pageant fans especially from the Philippines got disappointed of Miss World Philippines Catriona Gray -- who despite of a standout performance and a very good answer to the final question -- not making it to the Top 3. At the height of the protests informally made online, one fan started a petition at Change.Org asking Julia Morley and the Miss World Organization as a whole to show the MW2016 Final Scorecards to the public. They were of the impression that the two national directors influenced other judges to vote in their hometown candidates' favor. Sounds absurd, isn't it?

Julia Morley in the early seventies

On a personal note, yes, I find it absurd. However, if you look back at the past Miss World pageant finals, this controversy is reminiscent of what happened in 1970. Jennifer Hosten of Greanada won over an early favorite Miss Sweden - Marjorie Christel Johansson who turned out to be just the 3rd Runner Up. Protesters claimed --who called BBC -- that the Grenadian Prime Minister Sir Eric Gairy who sat as a judge tipped and influenced other judges to give Hosten token placings.

Snippet from a published article in 1970.

The incident was published in a magazine published by African Drum Publications in 1971 showing that Julia Morley, who was then Miss World Organizing Director and the wife of Miss World Chairman Eric Morley to have resigned because of intense pressure from protesters.  Eric Morley was then compelled to show to the public the actual scorecards of the Miss World 1970 pageant.

So this Change.Org petition may not be absurd after all. History repeats itself as they say. Oh, not just history but Miss World controversy history.

Megan Young's Miss World Hosting Gain, Miss World Philippines' Loss

When Megan Young was crowned Miss World 2013 in Bali, Indonesia, she made a promise to be the best Miss World ever. That promise made sense when calamities struck the Philippines and other countries across the globe. Megan's reign as Miss World was the busiest in the modern Miss World history.

Miss World Chairman Julia Morley was all praises for Megan. Miss World Organization (MWO) capitalized on her hosting skills which she proved useful in the Mister World 2014 pageant. She was the first Miss World to present her turn-over show. And the streak went on up to Miss World 2016 Finals in Washington DC, USA. The same pageant where Filipino pageant fans got outraged about Miss World Philippines 2016 Catriona Gray -- a consistent stand-out and front-runner -- not making it in the Top 3.

When the Filipino pageant fans escalated their frustrations and directed it towards Julia Morley, this is what she had to say, "If you want another Miss World, then don't just send me a beautiful candidate, or even a very smart one. Send me another Megan Young with all her attributes."

As a pageant fan who can read between the lines, on a personal note, Julia Morley finally verbalized what my-long-harbored gut-feel that for as long as Megan Young is there hosting the Miss World pageant, she will always overshadow a Miss World Philippines contender for the Miss World crown.

True to her word, Megan Young is indeed the best Miss World from the Philippines ever. But while in Miss World, her Miss World gain would be another Miss World Philippines' crown-loss.

Successful Crossover Winners: Miss World to Miss Universe

Miss World Philippines (MWP) Catriona Gray's non-placement in the Top Three (3) of the recently concluded Miss World 2016 pageant brought about disappointment, clamor, and doubt with the Miss World credibility. Several fans --not only Filipinos but also other nationalities -- posted negative comments not only on the Miss World Facebook page but directed the comments towards Miss World Organization (MWO) Chairman  Julia Morley herself.

The incident prompted MWO to declare Miss Philippines Catriona Gray and Kenya's Evelyn Thungu as 3rd Runner Up and 4th Runner Up respectively. The move even aggravated the disgruntled fans as it was reminiscent of the Miss Globe 2016 pageant post-pageant announcement of 3rd and 4th Runners Up which was supposedly not part of the actual pageant placement.

As to the Filipino fans, the frustration was escalated and called for Catriona Gray to resign as MWP and try her luck in the local Binibining Pilipinas (BBP) pageant and eventually compete in the Miss Universe pageant. They thought of it as the best way to show Julia Morley and the whole MWO what they just let go of Gray. Sounds bitter-melon, but on a personal note, Gray is more of a Miss Universe than a Miss World material.
Besides, there were former Miss World unsuccessful candidates who eventually fared well in the Miss Universe pageant.

Michelle McLean (Namibia)
Miss Universe 1991 (Top 5)
Miss Universe 1992 (Winner)

Before she became Miss Universe, McLean joined the Miss World 1991 pageant in Sun City, South Africa. She did good in the MW preliminaries with her scores tied to second place with Miss South Africa Diana Tilden-Davis. McLean made it to the Top 5 while the crown was eventually won by Venezuela's Ninibeth Leal. It should be noted that Leal was just a runner up to Caroline Izzak who represented Venezuela to the Miss Universe 1992 pageant which McLean later on had won. Renowned Venezuela's beauty-pageant guru Osmel Souza had been very vocal about the Caroline Izzak's loss to McLean as the greatest-title-rob in their beauty pageant placement history.

Read: Osmel Souza thought they were robbed of the Miss Universe 1992 crown.

Mpule Kwelagobe (Bootswana)
Miss World 1997 (Unplaced)
Miss Universe 1999 (Winner)

It seemed nobody paid much attention on Mpule Kwelagobe's stint in the Miss World 1997 pageant  held in Plantation Club, Seychelles until she won the Miss Universe 1999 title. Yes, Kwelagobe represented Bootswana in the Miss World 1997 pageant which was won by India's Diana Hayden.

Miriam Quiambao (Philippines)
Miss World 1999 (Replaced)
Miss Universe 1999 (First Runner Up)

Well, Miriam Quiambao's journey to Miss World 1999 pageant was cut short when Bb. Pilipinas - Universe 1999 winner Janelle Bautista was dethroned because of citizenship issue. Unlike the previous year incident wherein the First Runner Up automatically occupied the vacated title, in that year, the Binibining Pilipinas World winner took the vacated title. Pageant fanatics wondered how Miriam Quiambao would have fared in Miss World 1999 and against the eventual winner Yukta Mookhey from India.

Ada Dela Cruz (Dominican Republic)
Miss World 2007 (Top 16)
Miss Universe 2009 (First Runner Up)

Prior to giving Stefania Fernandez a run for the Miss Universe 2009 crown, Ada gave a very good performance in the Miss World 2007 pageant finals in Sanya, China which the host country's candidate Zhang Zilin eventually won. Hometown crowning, just another issue being slung to Miss World's credibility.

Thanks for the call out Bojo Ventura.

Yendi Phillips (Jamaica)
Miss World 2007 (Top 16)
Miss Universe 2010 (First Runner Up)

Along with Ada Dela Cruz. prior to leaving worldwide fans amazed with her cat-walk in the Miss Universe 2010 pageant held in Las Vegas, Nevada USA, Yendi already made history by being the first and the only Miss World candidate to have placed across all Miss World Challenge events. Apparently her Leaderboard Scores was not beneficial when it was preempted over the judges discretion in choosing the Top 5.


There might be other former Miss World candidates who subsequently placed in the Miss Universe pageant that my research missed. But the point this article is driving is that Catriona Gray should reconsider joining Binibining Pilipinas 2018 to get to Miss Universe. She appeared to be well-prepared to snag the Miss World crown, but as history puts it, it wasn't her time yet to be crowned internationally. Timing still plays a big role in winning international title. Take it from both Megan Young and Pia Wurtzbach.

How Politics Play in Miss World

No, Miss World Organization doesn't cheat. They are simply subjective. Subjective because in most editions, regardless of how crystal clear a candidate is about to win the crown, it's put on the head of a dark horse. Unlike Miss Universe results which is more predictable, Miss World results is more of a power-play. If the MW judges don't like a candidate, regardless of how stellar her performance is, she would never end up as a winner.

In 1995 edition of Miss World, Carlene Aguilar was a front-runner and was way ahead of any other candidates from the bookmakers' perspective. Miss World Organization (MWO) however changed the format to pick one winner from each continent (Continental Beauties) from the Top 15 to advance to Top 7. The regional winner from Asia was the fast-tracked winner of Beauty With a Purpose from South Korea -- never an inch queenly as opposed to the two front-runners from Asia Pacific which are of course Carlene Aguilar from the Philippines and Sindhura Gadde from India. That format paved the way for Iceland's Unnur Birna Vilhjálmsdóttir --another lackluster candidate to win the Miss World 2005 crown.

That Philippine-upset in the Miss World Finals left a bad taste in my mouth. I never watched any Miss World Finals live until Megan Young's in 2013.

The point I'm driving is, Miss World Organization has already picked Puerto Rico to win the title from the start. That is simply the reason why they had to reformat the process of picking the Top 10 from Top 20. Had they followed the previous years format picking the Top 10 Leaderboard scorers from Top 20 to advance, Puerto Rico would have not advanced at all because her name was not a front-run in any of the Challenge Events except for the Talent. They did this on purpose otherwise they would have a lot of justifying to do to mask the staggering interview scores given by the judges to Miss Puerto Rico to secure a spot in the Top 10.

Catriona Gray was just made another Carlene Aguilar in the Miss World pageant history. So again, Miss World was, is, and will never cheat. They are simply subjective. Now that's sarcasm if you don't get it. :-)