The Philippines: A Decade of Success in International Pageantry

In 1969, Richard M. Nixon, the President of the United States said that if the United States conquers the moon, the Philippines conquers the Universe. This is because the PH's very own Gloria Diaz won Miss Universe the very same day Edwin Aldrin and Neil Armstrong stepped on the moon. After 4 years, in 1973 another Filipina won Miss Universe in Greece, and she's Margie Moran. The same year when the Philippines almost won Miss World with Evangeline Pascual.

It is the era where the Philippines was considered one of the powerhouse countries in the world.

But life comes in full circle even in beauty pageants. After the success of the country in the international arena, the Philippines experience drought in pageantry during the 80's and early 90's. The delegates coming from the country rarely penetrated the semi-finals especially in Miss Universe and Miss World.

One of the darkest years of the Philippines in pageantry was in 2007 where no one among the Philippine delegates in the big 4 (Universe, World, Earth, International) entered even in the semifinals.

But however how dark and difficult the situation is, there will always some hope and redemption. In 2008, the Philippines has started re-awakening from it's powerhouse status. Karla Henry won Miss Earth, the third biggest pageant in the world. The following year, Sandra Seifert almost give the country a back-to-back win in Miss Earth. In 2010, Venus Raj ended the 10-year drought of the country in Miss Universe. In 2011, Gwendoline Ruais wins the first princess in Miss World, Athena Imperial places third in Miss Earth, Shamcey Supsup placed fourth in Miss Universe and Dianne Necio placed as one of the top 15 semi-finalists in Miss International. In 2012, the Philippines almost snatch it's 3rd Miss Universe crown courtesy of Janine Tugonon, Stephany Stefanowitz placed second in Miss Earth while Queneerich Rehman and Nicole Schmitz both placed as top 15 semi-finalists in Miss World and Miss International, respectively.

The start of the winning streak of the country was in 2013 when Megan Young was crowned the first Filipina Miss World in Bali, Indonesia followed by Bea Rose Santiago crowned as Miss International in Japan. The following year, Jamie Herrell won the countries second Miss Earth crown. In 2015, the country was in surreal after Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach won the countries third Miss Universe after 42 years. Angelia Ong gave the country the only back-to-back win in Miss Earth. In 2016, Kylie Verzosa was crowned the sixth Filipina Miss International and this year while Catriona Gray placed fourth in Miss World. And this year, the Philippines has stamped its class all over again achieving its fourth Miss Earth crown with Karen Ibasco. 

The blessings just keep on coming with a string of nice placements in the other competitions. It's like the Philippines should always be there - as winner, runner-up, finalists or semi-finalists. In the world of beauty pageants, one can definitely not ignore the presence of Filipinas.

This is the reason why some of the delegates of other countries send their representatives here to train because the Philippines has finally ended Venezuela's reign as the world's beauty powerhouse.

The greatest fans in the world will always cheer and jump for joy once the host announces Miss Philippines!