The late MU1980 3rd Runner-Up Ma. Rosario 'Chat' Silayan (Photo credit: Mike Herrera)
Let’s wax nostalgic today and reminisce one of the Filipinas who made us proud in the Miss Universe stage.
The year was 1980. It was the 8th of July to be exact. The Sejong Cultural Center in Seoul, Korea was the venue of Miss Universe. And the Philippine bet then, Ma. Rosario ‘Chat’ Silayan, made sure that all Filipino watchers around the globe cheered her on up until the announcement of winners in the Top 5 when she was named 3rd Runner-Up to eventual winner Shawn Weatherly of the USA.
Miss Philippines in the Top 5 (2nd from left) along with the delegates from (l-r) Sweden, New Zealand, Scotland and the USA. (Photo credit: Felix Manuel)
Chat stood out in that edition. She may not have won the top prize, but she was only one of two Asians (host delegate Kim Eun-Jung was the other) who made the Top 12. While the judges then were very stringent with their scores, she made it to the Top 5 in two of the three categories. Her interview with Bob Barker was made more memorable when she was greeted ‘Happy Birthday’ by everyone in the audience. Her swimsuit presentation – while considered tame and demure by today’s standards – was both sweet and old-fashioned sexy. And who could forget her grand entrance during the evening gown competition? Wearing a blue serpentina gown (courtesy of mentor Renee Salud) while stepping out behind huge Korean fans, she was a breathtaking site to behold. She soared to 2nd in that segment. While she did a commendable job in the Top 5 Q&A, it was clear that the American bet effortlessly took the spotlight right from the start and ended up with the crown.
courtesy of mastigasin
Today marks the 54th birth anniversary of the late Maria Rosario ‘Chat’ Silayan. She may already be gone, but clearly not forgotten. 🙂
normannorman.com 
It just made me smile and admire how beautiful Chat was. The presentation was just perfect for Miss Universe during that time. I love her and she is one of my favorite BB, Pilipinas Universe winners. She could just tell and fell how genuine she was. Thank you Chat for making the Filipinos proud! The angels in heaven are so happy to have you as there Miss Unverse!!
Hehehe. remove the balabal and make the gown longer so that it will touch the floor and cover the heels, then pwede na. :) and then a little tweek sa neckline guro.. sweetheart.
Maria Rosario Silayan,graduated a DEGREE in Nutrition & Dietetics at Phil Women’s University. I happened to be a former School mate of her. I was astounded of her Death. She was still too young to die. Everybody in the School Campus,knew her from being a Compassionate Lady,plus her Beauty, which can easily Strike anyone, who will pass by her, even with out her make up( Natural Beauty). She took care of ALL her SIBLINGS, that’s the Most Wonderful Thing she had done to them. How ,ALL of us in the University, salute her, when we see her around. She’s in the DEAN’s LIST,too,very Intelligent Lady of her Time. Tribute from: Agnes Vitoria Vitor CASEY, from New York, USA NOV.04, 2014 Tuesday.
I had always heard of her name and that she was a Binibini who really did well and made the country proud during her MU stint. Now that I’d seen this footage and it made me realized how beautiful, strong, and charming she was and truly deserving of her Bb crown. Oh how i wish that all of the yearly candidates would watch this and learn something from this Binibini and her name is Ms. Chat!!!!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_Gay_Philippines
What an article ! Maybe somebody here can do something about it.
Norman, this is very much appreciated… And the wonderful thoughts about our dear sister… We were so blessed to have her in our lives… http://youtu.be/UGheZv2sl1g
I’m glad you replied, Rely. I always have fond thoughts of your sister. 😉
She had such a straightforward graciousness, yet an innocent charm, about her. Inherently and unhesitatingly elegant, exotically stunning. Chat Silayan is easily one of the most beautiful Filipina candidates to ever compete in Miss Universe. May we see more of her kind in the years to come.
She is the epitome of a Filipina beauty queen, not just during her time but even today had she been still alive. She made us proud during the time when Ms. U has no political nor media (txt votes et. al) influences. She stood out & shine bright on her own. Watching the video made me teary eyed. Mixed feeling of pride & honor & sad of her early passing… Thanks Ms. Chat Silayan.
Senyora Angela,
Patok at wapak na wapak yan during 80′s and 90′s,but this time around, I think mas patok yung figure revealing on tops while flowy and see-through on the bottom.
Bottom ha, baka ibang bottom ang iniisip mo Mars.
Gusto ko yung gown na may pasabog,para bang gown ni Miss Japan nung 2003.
Balot na balot tapos bra lang pala ang matitira.
Ganun ang gusto ko, at ang version ko ay naka-kapa,tapos pag tinanggal ko yung kapa ay wala na kong suot kundi bodypaint,as in pintados ang peg.
Wagi ng wagas!
Senyora Angela,
Patok at wapak na wapak yan during 80’s and 90’s,but time around I think mas patok yung figure revealing on tops while flowy and see-through on the bottom.
Bottom ha, baka ibang bottom ang iniisip mo Mars.
Gusto ko yung gown na may pasabog,para bang gown ni Miss Japan nung 2003.
Balot na ballot tapos bra lang pala ang matitira.
Ganun ang gusto ko, at ang version ko ay naka-kapa,tapos pag tinanggal ko yung kapa ay wala na kong suot kundi bodypaint,as in pintados ang peg.
Wagi ng wagas!
I love her evening gown presentation. Very regal and elegant. It would be very hard not to notice her.
With an updated interpretation, why not? 😉
The video made me smile. I remember her as being one of our best reps ever.
That was when MU and BBP fielded girls who really had beauty as well as poise and class. BT- before Trump.
She’s suppose to be my future tita -in-law and the great-aunt of my future kids.. Sayang I wasn’t able meet her! hahaha
Are you talking about Jome? Hahaha I support your dream! 😀
Norms, did she marry? Children?
Yes, she got married and bore three children. 😉
Chat unwittingly made some buzz when she landed in the front pages of all tabloids and broadsheets after she was left behind by the plane that was supposed to fly her to Seoul, Korea…
Yes, I remember that. 😉
I love Chat Silayan…. yes, I remember reading that her father was against her joining and actually winning the BBP… but he was very supportive during the MU pageant- In fact, it was Chat’s father who told her that “when you go the Ms Universe, remember that you are not standing there for yourself, you are representing the 60 Million of us back home”……… that was a very touching conversation that Chat shared in one of her interviews
Her interview was very sweet and really sincere; you can see how gracious she is. Chat’s evening gown was also remarkable…. in fact, the same type of dress also worked for our past queens…. most notable is Melanie Marquez who won MI in a green version of that gown.
What is more impressive is how Chat conducted herself after the pageant…. no controversies, no scancdal, always gracious and always remembered as a humble, down to earth, prayerful woman….. if we are talking about beauty inside out… CHAT is a perfect example of that
Thanks Norman for the article
She gave a stellar performance during the evening gown competition.
And that gown was such a fashion forward gown.
She should had placed higher that year.
Maria Rosario Silayan, 21, Philippines!
Wow Basil, that is a real, real one..
sa lahat ng comment mo, ito lng yata ang matino… LoL…
Hi Norms, made me teary-eyed reading this memoriam and watching the video. I was in grade school when she won Bb that year and remembered how she was bashed on her road to Ms. Universe. And the rest is history…….
Chat was sadly targetted then for winning BPU1980 just because her father was a known actor. On the contrary, the late Vic Silayan was against her joining the pageant and was not even too happy when her daughter won. At least, she vindicated herself in Seoul. 😉
Even the Latino pageant sites and beauty sites….. acknowledging MA. ROSARIO SILAYAN as the most elegant in evening gown…. in the history of Miss UNIVERSE! She’s one of the best runner -up ever and one of the best in the history of Binibining Pilipinas Universe.
I was really stunned with her. Thank you Mr.Norman for sharing this (for all the generations to see, like me the younger ones)
*honestly I didn’t know her by face although I’ve been hearing her name since I am a young gay teen pageant enthusiast and I was in full awareness and started loving our queens from Miriam Quiambao – Ariella Arida and watching this video me realize how beautiful Chat Silayan is and who she really is pageant wise. I just wish I saw her compete live way way back *if only I was born on her timeline.
I don’t know my tears wept down on my face because I was really stunned especially on her long gown competition. What a swan! ❤
Now I'm officially a fan! and btw kudos to your website, I often visit this because you give the most up to dates news about pageantry.
Thanks, potterhead! 😉
Great post bud, a gazillion likes.