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Beauty queens-turned-showbiz icons


Among Filipina beauty queens, Ms. Gloria Diaz (main photo and inset), the first Miss Universe (1969), remains the most active in showbiz.

File photo & OK! Magazine (inset)

Beauty queens-turned-showbiz icons

Jocelyn Dimaculangan

Thursday, January 24, 2008
07:14 PM

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Crowned and celebrated beauty queens have a special place in the hearts of Filipinos. Our society puts a premium on women who embody beauty-both inside and out. Men gaze at them and fantasize blissfully. Women look up to them as models of grace, femininity, and confidence. Filipinas who win in international beauty contests land on the front pages and are raised on a pedestal as national symbols.

 

The "idol phenomenon" in the Philippines is so intense that "everybody almost worships the winner, moreover a world beauty title holder," wrote newsman Felix Manuel in Manila Standard Today (February 26, 2005).

 

In a similar vein, Nicholo Paulo Ventura, moderator of pageant Web sites and a sociology senior at the University of Santo Tomas, says in his case study on beauty pageants, "A Filipina winning a beauty title abroad is already a good reason for poverty-stricken Filipinos to smile."

 

Before a contestant can win the crown for perfect beauty, however, she hurdles many trials. She must have the discipline to adhere to a strict beauty regimen and rigid dietary requirements. Modeling lessons are about walking regally, whether in a skimpy swimsuit or fabulous evening gown. The potential beauty queen must also improve communication skills and overcome stage fright during interviews with the judges.

 

Given these challenges, what entices women to join beauty contests?

 

According to journalist Manuel, who's also a beauty expert, "A beauty title is a good credential on a lady's resumé! It's also a sure passport to getting job offers, be it in modeling, in the movies or even on television."

 

Indeed, several of the most beautiful faces to grace the boob tube and the big screen today came from beauty pageants.

 

PEP lists down the top beauty queens who have successfully established a name for themselves in the showbiz industry. They have gained more fame not only for their beauty and grace but for their talent in the performing arts as well.

 

Presenting the beauty queens who turned showbiz celebs, in alphabetical order:

 

Alma Concepcion. Her filmography dates back to 1994, when she competed in the Bb. Pilipinas beauty pageant while still a Tourism senior in the University of Santo Tomas. Alma Concepcion was crowned 1994 Bb. Pilipinas-International, while Charlene Gonzalez was named Bb. Pilipinas-Universe.

 

Alma first appeared in Massacre Files (1994) and was last seen in the GMA-7's Daisy Siete: Ulingling. In 1996, Alma was even nominated for Best Supporting Actress in the Gawad Urian. She said: "On my second movie, Sa Ngalan ng Pag-ibig, I got a nomination. I didn't consider it as work because I find it easy." ( PEP Finder, March 6, 2007) For this Maryo J. de los Reyes film, Alma played the role of a mistress to Christopher de Leon.

 

Alma was a contract star of Regal Films and she starred in the sexy flicks, Halik (1998) and Kamay ni Eva (1999).

 

Aside from being a single parent to her son Cobie, Alma keeps herself busy by attending to her restaurant. She runs the Santolan Road branch of Persiana Grill, known for its Middle Eastern food, like kebab and shawarma.


Gloria Diaz. During the Miss Universe pageant in 1969, host Bob Barker asked the last, crucial question to Ms. Gloria Diaz: "In the next day or so, a man will land on the moon. If a man from the moon landed in your hometown, what would you do to entertain him?"

 

She immediately answered, "Oh! Uh, just the same things I do. I think if he has been on the moon for so long, I think when he comes over he wants to change, I guess."

 

For her quick wit and unparalleled beauty, Gloria Diaz became the first Miss Universe from the Philippines.

 

Gloria's launching film was director Celso Ad Castillo's Ang Pinakamagandang Hayop sa Balat ng Lupa in 1974. Over the years, she has proven herself fully capable in drama and comedy roles both on the boob tube and the big screen.

 

Her box-office mettle and acting prowess earned her the Best Supporting Actress trophy from the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) for her role as a spinster adoptive mother in Nasaan Ka Man (2005).

 

Her showbiz career is still going strong. She played Charito, the mother of Ryan Agoncillo in the blockbuster hit Kasal Kasali Kasalo (2006) and its sequel Sakal Sakali Saklolo (2007). Gloria's performance as the difficult mother-in-law of Judy Ann Santos in Kasal Kasali Kasalo got her a Gawad Urian nomination.

 

With her list of film and TV credits now reaching almost 60, the first Miss Universe is not slowing down anytime soon. She is slated to be part of the comedy TV series Utoy, making Ms. Gloria Diaz the epitome of a beauty queen who continues to reign in the entertainment scene.

 

Alice Dixson. When Jessie Alice Salones Dixson joined the Bb. Pilipinas competition in 1986, she bagged the special awards of Miss Photogenic and Miss Talent, aside from being named Bb. Pilipinas-International. The talented beauty queen became widely known for her screen name Alice Dixson. She became a household name for playing Faye, the fairy wife of Vic Sotto in the top-rating '80s sitcom Okay Ka Fairy Ko. Her popularity increased further when she was tapped to play the mermaid Dyesebel in the 1990 film opposite Richard Gomez.

 


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