Pageantry is one of the contests that Filipinos are engaged with aside from singing contests—the highlight of Philippine pageantry in the Philippines in the Miss Universe.
Most people, including students, workers, young or old, will take their time to support their favorite candidate. It is undeniable that the Filipinos support their candidate and aspire to win.
There were 4 Filipinos who have won Miss Universe over the history of the Philippine Pageantry. Gloria Maria Aspillera Diaz, in 1969; Maria Margarita “Margie” Roxas Moran-Floirendo, in 1973; Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach in 2015 and Catriona Elisa Magnayon Gray, crowned last 2018.
The Philippines is considered to be the pageant-crazy in Asia due to its love for pageantry. School programs in the Philippines have pageantry even on Baranggays, City, and Provincial levels; pageantry is inevitable.
Since Miss Universe is the most awaited pageant in the Philipines, I will share more about the crowned Filipino Miss Universe.
Gloria Maria Aspillera Diaz (1969)
Gloria Maria Aspillera Diaz, mostly known as Gloria Diaz, is the first Filipino to be crowned Miss Univers in 1969. She is an actress, model, and beauty queen who rose to fame when crowned Miss Universe.
It all started when she was convinced to join the sixth edition of Binibining Pilipinas and was crowned in 1969. She was then become the representative of the Philipines in the Miss Universe in 1969. At that time, she is 18 years old. What captured the audience’s heart is not only her pretty face but also her wit in answering questions.
During her reign as Mis Universe 1969, she traveled to many countries, imposing her advocates, which the Miss Universe organization supported. Gloria also appeared in many tv shows and programs in the United States. After her reign as Miss Universe, she then pursued her acting career.
Due to her excellent acting career, she became one of the most promising actresses in the country and was nominated and won FAMAS awards.
Maria Margarita “Margie” Roxas Moran-Floirendo (1973)
The Second Filipino miss Universe titleholder was Maria Margarita “Margie” Roxas Moran-Floirendo, crowned in 1973. Margie is a peace advocate and a beauty queen from the Moran family, who owns the legendary 39,000-hectare Hacienda Esperanza. On her mother’s side, she was the grandchild of the fifth president of the Philippines, late President Manuel Roxas.
Before joining Miss Universe, she was a part-time model first. During Miss Universe 1973, she garnered an award for Miss Photogenic. It is said that her friends and family were the ones who urged her to join Binibining Pilipinas, which gave her away to become the representative of the Philippines in the Miss Universe 1973 at the age of 19.
Two years after she was crowned as Miss Universe, she then decided to get married. She finished her studies at Boston University, taking up Business Administration, and took up Masters in Development Management from SOAS University of London.
Margie was known for her civic and social works in promoting peace and livelihood. She is now a member of the Board of Trustees of the Cultural Center of the Philippines since the President appointed her in 2018.
Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach (2015)
Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach is previously known as Pia Romero as her screen name. She is a model, an actress, and a beauty queen. She joined Binibining Pilipina trice, which made her represent the Philippines in the Miss Universe 2015, where she won as the third Filipino to ever won the title.
Before she started joining pageantry, she was an actress and a model, making her the breadwinner of their family.
Aside from modeling and acting, she is also a TV host and TV personality.
She started making her acting career at the age of four years old with a screen name of Pia Romero. She was then managed by Start Magic Agency and was included at the Star Circle Batch 11.
Pis started joining the Binibining Pilipinas starting 2013, where she won 1st runner up followed by the same year and was placed at the top 15. In 2015, she got the crown of Binibining Pilipinas, representing the country for Miss Universe 2015. During her reign, she visited many countries, fulfilling her duties.
After then, she continues to become an advocate for HIV/AIDS awareness.
Catriona Elisa Magnayon Gray (2018)
Catriona Elisa Magnayon Gray is the fourth Filipino Miss Universe cowned in 2018. Many people were amazed by her extreme performance, and she was known for her lava walk. Even after the pageant, many people idolize it, giving it a term of Catriona effect where people tend to follow how she walks and dresses.
Catriona Gray is a model, singer, beauty queen, and art ambassadress.
She started her pageantry career at the early age of five years old when she won Little Miss Philippines in Sydney. In 2016, she joined Miss World and won various awards, including Best in Swimsuit, Best in Evening Gown, Best in Fashion Runway, and Best in Talent.
In 2018, she joined Binibining Pilipinas, where she was crowned to represent the Philippines in the Miss Universe 2018.
During her reign as Miss Universe, she visited various countries to promote her advocacies, focusing on women’s rights and cultural promotion.
Takeaways
Filipinos are very fond of pageantry, especially the Miss Universe. It can’t be denied that the Filipinos and very dedicated to winning the crown.
Throughout the history of the Philippine pageantry, there are only four who were crowned the Miss Universe.
Filipinos are still aiming to get the crown in the future. Filipino people are fond of pageantry not only to showcase the beauty and culture of the country but also to spread awareness based on the advocacy that they are in.