Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 1999 Miriam Quiambao recalled her past experience while hosting the defunct GMA-7 reality show Extra Challenge during an early morning event held yesterday, October 12, at the SM Supermarket, SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.

Miriam—together with Kristine Hermosa, Melissa Ricks, Empress Schuck, and Maja Salvador—participated in Procter & Gamble's 75^th anniversary treat, where the stars personally assisted the grocery shoppers.

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"It was fun and sanay naman din ako to try different jobs kasi ginawa namin 'yon before sa Extra Challenge. So, parang repeat lang 'yon. And now as a saleslady, it was fun kasi ang dami ding mga ate, mommy, 'tsaka mga tita na namili," Miriam told PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) after eating lunch at a restaurant inside the mall.

Trying on different jobs is not new for Miriam. In fact, the morena beauty queen is currently juggling various hats: actress, host, and entrepreneur.

"Lately, I'm taking care of my business also kasi, di ba, early this year nag-teleserye ako? Tapos nag-Showtime ako. Then, meron akong teleserye coming out on TV5 na 5-Star Specials, which I think they're going to release this November.

"Meron pa rin akong hosting and on top of that, I also have my real-estate business. So, I'm trying to juggle my left-brain job and my right-brain job," beamed Miriam.

DEFENDING VENUS RAJ. Although it's been a decade since Miriam competed in the prestigious Miss Universe pageant (then in Trinidad and Tobago), she understands that questions about beauty pageants and candidates will always come up for her to answer.

Lately, there's been a renewed call for an interpreter to assist the country's representatives in answering beauty-pageant questions.

Although most Filipino contestants understand and can speak English, observers believe that a translator can improve a candidate's chance to win the crown.

Miriam shares this belief, saying that it certainly wouldn't hurt to try the same approach used by other countries, particularly most of our Asian neighbors.

"Malaking bagay 'yon kasi it really puts the candidate in a position where she will feel most comfortable. Mahirap kasi pag ang dami mo na ngang pressure, tapos mahirap pa 'yong tanong sa 'yo, tapos magta-translate ka pa in your mind from Filipino to English.

"So, malaking bagay kung kumportable ka, tapos tutulungan ka na lang ng translator, wala namang bawas sa points 'yon. Mas makakapag-isip ka pa ng maganda and mas lalo ka pang makakapagbigay ng magandang sagot sa question," opined Miriam.

The talk on whether it would be better to tap an interpreter during international pageants gained ground after our bet in the Miss Universe 2010, Maria Venus Raj, failed to impress the judges during  the Q&A segment towards the end of the competition. She won as fourth runner-up.

"In defense of her, hindi naman talaga madali na nasa harap ka ng buong mundo tapos tinatanong ka ng isang challenging question, di ba? Pero I have to give it to her.

"She did naman her best and umabot naman siya ng top five, di ba? So, five out of eighty-five is really not an easy feat and we're all proud of her nonetheless," said the Miss Universe 1999 1^st runner-up.