Sunday Senti Specials: Reminiscing Miss Universe 1999

Posted by Norman on July 3, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , .

Miss Universe 1999 Mpule Kwelagobe (middle) and her court (including 1st Runner-Up Miriam Quiambao)

Mpule Kwelagobe being crowned by Wendy Fitzwilliam

Miriam Quiambao and guest performer Julio Iglesias Jr

In my mind, Miss Universe 1999 will always be worth remembering, not only because our very own Miriam Quiambao placed 1st Runner-Up and could have been our 3rd Miss U more than 16 years ago. Rumor has it that Donald Trump already approved of her winning provided that the final answer in the Final 3 will be handled well. Sadly, it wasn’t meant to be. I sat glued to the set like a leech, missing lunch and disappointed that the final results were so close to our favor but still not there.

At any rate, the atmosphere of that edition will long be remembered for having such an all-around festive atmosphere that was both festive and pulsating. The music, the performers, the limbo dancing, the candidates, the swimsuits, the gowns, the judges, the then-popular host (Jack Wagner) – everything contributed to a finals night that will always be looked back upon as evoking the authentic spirit of the Carribean and everything that comes with the colorful flavor of Trinidad & Tobago.

Watch now and reminisce.

courtesy of Bellezas Mexicanas​

31 comments on “Sunday Senti Specials: Reminiscing Miss Universe 1999”

  1. “MISS UNIVERSE IS A RESPONSIBILITY, MOTHERHOOD IS RESPONSIBILITY AND ONE WOMAN CANNOT EFFECTIVELY HANDLE TWO RESPONSIBILITIES AS THE SAME TIME. SHE SHOULD PRIORITIZE HER PREGNANCY SINCE A LIFE OF A CHILD IS AT STAKE AND WHICH IS FAR MORE OF IMPORTANCE AND LET OTHERS CONTINUE HER RESPONSIBILITY AS MISS UNIVERSE IN HER BEHALF, AFTERALL IT’S A MISS UNIVERSE AND NOT MISS UNIVERSE AND A BABY!”

    THAT WOULD BE MY ANSWER AND i THANK YOU!

  2. Must be the only year when the blondes were shut out from the semifinals. Three from Africa made the Top Ten.

  3. India looks like Carla Abellana.
    Spain is gorgeous!
    I thought Ms Philippines was going to win since she was featured often in the entire show the same way Pia was when she was competing.

    Maxine should learn from this video.
    Dapat diretso at buo ang loob kapag nagsasalita, modulated at hindi nanginginig ang boses para confident ang dating.

  5. Between Janine and Miriam, mas nanghinayang talaga ko kay Miriam. I really thought that Miriam is better than Janine when it comes to performance. Wonder if Miriam’s gown was made by Barraza

  6. For me, Miriam has a clearer answer than Botswana, by the way Botswana’s answer was like, ano daw?

  7. Miriam had the most elegant catwalk among our Binibini reps until Pia. She looked tall then dahil sa balingkinitan niyang katawan. Her styling was also perfect. She is one of my favorite BbP-Universe titleholders along side Aileen Damiles and Pia.

    • yup, Miriam aileen and pia. paki -add din sin Charlene hihihi

  8. Miriam was undeniably stunning that evening. But let us also acknowledge the victor. Botswana was natural and spontaneous, a university student at that time just like Miriam who is from the University of Sto. Tomas. Also, I think the Miss Universe Organization would do well to have more winners from the Dark Continent.

  9. If you watched the telecast, Miriam had maximum exposure–her special segment where she intro’d aspects of T&T culture was very long. The, she won Miss Clairol. I thought those were ominous signs she was headed for victory. She brilliantly exploited her “fall” and used it as an anaology for “fallen women” on or off the stage. That is, until the final question. Her point was valid,”Miss U should be allowed to continue her reign so long as she fulfills her commitments..”, but it was expressed in a roundabout, nervous way. (The anchor women felt it–“She choked!”, said Ali Landry). I thought the judges would still consider her over-all performance, but it seemed that the final question was the pivotal point where the decision went to Botswana’s favor. Miriam was so very close to the crown..

    • si stephanie seymour ang impakta.. sya ang laging malit ang scores kay miriam.. for sure zero ang points niya kay mirriam sa final q&a.. mapanalo lang si botswana.. inggiterang hitad

      • Yeah she favored the darker contestants. I thought she was actually a black male judge lol

  10. She is and always be my favorite beauty queen.
    Aside from Janine, it is her whom I considered as the runaway winner as I was watching the finals.

  11. Buwisit talaga c Donald Trump.
    Bakit yung ibang countries na Di nman maganda ang answer but won 😂
    Huwag idahilan na nanalo kc maganda kahit sumablay sa Q&A. Look at Botswana compared kay miriam at Spain😲alam na.
    C janine na dapat nanalo pero wala pa rin😂😂😂
    Huwag iboto yang c Trump por pabor😈😬😠😤

  12. I’ve always thought that Miriam should have been our fifth MU. Fifth? Yup. I’ve always thought that Lalaine Bennett and Chat Silayan should have won in their respective years. Sigh… my heart truly broke over Miriam. Same can be said for Shamcey and Janine. They should have won. Oh well… Just my humble opinion.

  13. Seychelles ba is the Same as Trinidad and Tobago?
    Sabi ng dalawang bruhilda kundi daw natapilok si Miriam di sya napansin ng mga judges kaya sya napasama sa semifinals!
    Sayang din yung Miss Spain, napakaganda rin kaya lang mas palpak ang sagot nya sa final question.
    Para kay Miriam sayang talaga, kanya na ang korona nakawala pa dahil sa answer nya sa napakasimpleng tanong.

    • Hi,
      They are not the same.
      Seychelles is an island nation in the african continent located in the Indian Ocean near Mauritius while Trinidad and Tobago is a two-island nation in the Caribbean.

      **You may want to visit Seychelles where Filipinos can obtaine a Visitor’s Pass at the airport. It’s a beautiful country with amazing beaches and mountains.

  14. She was just a tad off of how Miss Botswana handled her final Q&A, otherwise, she could have been our 3rd MU. Miriam was up there with Spain until the final Q&A. Her SS & EG presentations were almost flawless. Her poise and charm . . . I just love it 🙂

  15. I always feel that Miriam was destined to be that Miss Universe. I also think that Maxine can learn a thing or two from Miriam as Miriam wasn’t the fierce type of candidate unlike the current ones esp Pia. As long as you communicate well and has the natural charisma I think you can nail your way to the semifinals. So with that said, wag na nating pilitin na maging fierce is Maxine when it comes to communication skills, she just need to learn how to let loose and not freeze like a deer in a headlight when asked about stuff. 4M4B2B

  16. No doubt about it that both Ms. Quiambao and Ms. Tugonon are both victim of racial discrimination in the hands of Mr. Donald Trump. Mr Trump showed his real color again during the unforgettable crowning of Miss Universe 2015. He said that both Miss Philippines and Miss Colombia should share the title.

  18. Yes, I remember.
    Miriam Q, in 1999, did not answer her final Q&A well and placed 1st runner up.
    Janine T, in 2012, had a superior Q&A compared to the eventual winner and placed 1st runner up.
    Pia could “potentially” have been the 5th MU for the Philippines.
    Oh well, it is what it is.

    Go Maxine!
    I’m so glad Donald Trump is gone!

  19. Dito ako nagumpisang mamulat sa mundo ng beauty pageants! 🙂 at akala ko sa replay mananalo na si Miriam. Hehe!

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