Bea Rose Santiago: Can She Win the 5th Miss International Title for PHL?
With two successful bids for pageant crowns this year, producing two queens from the Philippines, Miss Supranational 2013 Mutya Johanna Datul and Miss World 2013 Megan Young; and a runner-up at Miss Universe 2013 with Ariella Arida who placed third runner-up, the pressure on Santiago’s shoulder is the heaviest of all. Will she snatch the Miss International 2013 crown?
During the send off party for Santiago in November, the lady said she’s gonna do her best to win the title not only for the sake of a the third win but to give those typhoon-affected people in the Visayas region a reason to smile. As of this posting, she’s faring well in the competition, according to beauty experts and critics alike. One of the prettiest in the batch, Santiago is believed to be well-prepared as well.
If ever she wins, she will be the fifth Miss International from the Philippines, and would continue the success of the Philippines, which is still the most successful Asian country in this pageant having won four so far.
In 1964, Gemma Teresa Cruz’ success made the Philippines the first Asian to win the Miss International title. It was followed by the win of Aurora Pijuan in 1970. In 1979, Melanie Marquez, became the youngest Miss International winner at age 15. Precious Lara Quigaman was the last winner from the Philippines in 2005, breaking the 26-year drought. It has been eight years since then.
With four Miss International winners, the Philippines is trailing behind Venezuela with six (1985, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2006 and 2010) while six other countries are behind them with three wins.
A win for Santiago is necessary as it would help the Philippines beauty pageant ranking remain on top of the others, and will give Venezuela a tough fight in being declared the home of beautiful people in terms of pageantry, especially with the recent success of Miss Earth Venezuela in the Miss Earth 2013 pageant held Saturday night, Dec. 7, here in the Philippines.