Bb. Pilipinas 1999: The Year when Miriam Quiambao claimed her Miss Universe fate and became the Philippines’ first 1st Runner-Up in the pageant

Posted by Norman on March 24, 2020
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , .

Photo credit: Tony Paat

1999 was bittersweet for all its worth for Bb. Pilipinas. Bitter because for the second consecutive year (<em>and third overall if I’m not mistaken</em>), the crowned winner of the Bb. Pilipinas Universe title – Janelle Bautista – was dethroned because of citizenship problems. Sweet because – in her place – the original Bb. Pilipinas World Miriam Quiambao took over and went on to place 1st Runner-Up to Mpule Kwelagobe of Botswana in Trinidad and Tobago. Up to now, I really feel that Donald Trump gave the thumbs-up for Miss Philippines to win that year. The Final 3 Q&A, though, really got into the nerves of Miriam and had to be happy with her placement – the first ever second-place finish for the Philippines in Miss Universe. As for Lalaine Edson getting promoted to Bb. Pilipinas World, I really had my reservations because she was just this fair-skinned halfie who must have been greatly helped by the influence of the late German Moreno in getting a crown in the first place. 2nd Runner-Up Joelle Pelaez or 1st Runner-Up Michelle Arcangel were more deserving in my opinion. And we all know now what happened to Lalaine in London for Miss World – during especially after the competition when she went “missing” and was reported to have been “kidnapped” by a foreigner-lover and forced into marriage. I bet our regulars here know more about those mysterious circumstances.

Janelle Bradford (nee Bautista) with her husband and children

35 comments on “Bb. Pilipinas 1999: The Year when Miriam Quiambao claimed her Miss Universe fate and became the Philippines’ first 1st Runner-Up in the pageant”

  1. It seemed that BPCI “broke” their own new rules about the order of succession at that time of 1999 pageant. At the 1993 pageant the host Apa Ongpin said that if any of the national titleholders unable to fulfill her duties, the 1st Runner Up will take her place. Starting at 1996 pageant, all the three winners are announced in quick succession since they claimed that MUP (BBP-U at that time), BBP-W and BBP-I are equal weight and importance.

    That means Michelle Arcangel and Joelle Pelaez were not qualified in all three international pageants in the first place or BPCI feared that both Michelle or Joelle might ended up as a clapper at MU 1999?

    • @ tinay ….unless you have JUICINESS to share re “what-could-now-be-happening-bts”, 🙂

  3. I really think that Miriam should have won in the first place. She was far better than Botswana even if you account for the final question.

    Ugh she’s my perfect MUP.

  4. Hi Norman. Why was Georgina Sandico sent to MI instead of Miss Arcangel or Miss Pelaez? Were there citizenship issues for the 2 runners-up?

    • Both Joelle Pelaez and Michelle Arcangel cannot be sent to MI because of their age (24) that disqualified them immediately for consideration. Georgina placed 6th overall, was 20 years old at the time and ready to compete. So there.

      • Kaya pala younger ang sumasali noon ang bata ng age restriction sa Miss International.

  5. Norman matanong lang – anak ba nila ni Mr. Bradford ang 4 na bata? Mukhang and 2 maliliit lang ang kanilang talagang anak? Yung elder son mukhang anak ni Janelle (sa iba)? Yung babae naman mukhang anak ni Mr. Bradford sa iba? PASENSYA NA PO sa mga katanungang ito. MARAMI PONG SALAMAT.

  6. Mr. Tinio, MU1999 was in the USA, right? In which case, it was Monday AM in Manila.

    I remember now that a Sunday magazine edition of a major broadsheet put out an article entitled more or less, “A Sight for Dad’s Eyes”, which featured REALLY SULTRY traje de bano photos of MQ.

    At the time, the Former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada impeachment trial was happening, right? I remember the News. “For a moment, the impeachment trial took a back seat”, said reporter.

  7. I still remember n headline sa Showbiz Lingo n tinanong si Charlene Gonzales if gusto niyang sumali sa Miss World 1999 pero tinanggihan nya. Parang inalok din un kina Sunshine Cruz at Patricia Betita na binalita naman sa magazine show ni Korina Sanchez noon.

    Sana inalok na lang pala kina Abby Arenas or Colette Centeno ung pagsali sa Miss World 1999… parang ndi kasi bagay si Lalaine Edson sa Miss World.

  8. Janelle kept on blinking while talking. That is so distracting. The 3 of them however were crown-worthy. Miriam would still shine in either MU or MW. Lalaine was a good choice for MI. Janelle has good communication skills. She could still shine in MU had she participated given the proper training.

  9. Janelle kept on blinking while talking. That is so distracting. The 3 of them however were crown-worthy. Miriam would still shine in either MU or MW. Lalaine was a good choice for MI. Janelle has good communication skills. She could still shine in MU had she participated given the proper training.

  10. Miriam had it all but the crown after the top6 Q&A.
    She used her falling during preliminaries as reference to women rising up after a fall.
    The crowd cheered for approval and clearly wanted her to win.

    Kung wala na sana top 3, panalo ang ate mo.

  11. I still remember, itong batch nila Miriam na ito was bashed by Ramon Recto, a struggling actor and brother of Sen. Ralph Recto. Accordingly, Ramon remarked that the winners were ugly. Napahanap talaga ako ng dýaryo that time to check kung mga chakabelles nga sila (I failed to watch the Binibini that time kase may exam kami nýan kina-Lunes-an nung Grade 5 ako). Hindi naman pala. Nagagandahan din naman ako kay Lalaine Edson. Kinabukasan, that was Sunday, she appeared as one of the hosts of SOP sa GMA 7, ang ganda nýaaaaa! Yung mamula-mula ang fez ni ateng, and her British accent was soooo sosyal.

    Actually, hindi ko bet ýung Janelle pero kudaera si buckluch, kaya wingalore Bangalore sýa. Besides, may obsession pa si SMA nun sa mga halfie na magagaling sa QnA. Then, ‘yung tungkol sa kidnap issue ni Lalaine Edson, gospel-truth lang na chika ýun. Actually, Lalaine herself denied the news thru a source. She did not come back to the Philippines for reasons she only knew. Siguro, she felt na wala naman sýang future sa showbiz, kaya nag-nurse na lang sýa sa UK and did some commercial and modelling stints there.

    And who replaced Lalaine? She was Gilleth Sandicho who was a Top 10 finisher during BbP 1999. Kudaera si buckluch at may katangkaran, kaya lang ampangit ng walk ni atih. Did she fare well in Miss International? Nah. She actually bade farewell early in the competition, kase wah na sýa na-sight sa Top 15. And when she arrived in the Philippines, pa-interview sýa kay Miss D! (Bonnevie), plan daw nýa mag-take ng Law sa UP, which did not happen naman yata.

    That’s all.

      • @Ana Winter Talagang ako pa yung kunwari nag-correct sa’yo e no? We all know who’s the pro here, and I knew it was just a minor slip. Anyway, I just had to “correct” you because I was actually more interested in Gileth. I know you can answer me this – Did she also join Binibini?

      • No, Gileth did not join a pageant at all. Haha! Ewan ko ba kumbakit s’ya naisulat ko. I was neither thinking of her.

        That’s all.

  12. Ngayon ko lang napanood itong video na to. Ano bang klaseng opening number to? Pinagsayaw ng ballroom dance ang mga candidates tapos kung mahatak ng mga bading na dancers ang braso at kamay ng candidates ay talagang wagas to the max.

  13. Miriam Quiambao’s total look during the competition was a Miss Universe worthy. What made her really stand out was her elegant walk and her classy styling that night. She gave Miss Spain, Jacqueline Aguilera, a run for her money. What I also liked about Miriam was her “balingkinitan” body na hindi masyadong forced sa gym. Ang ganda ng arms, built, thighs down to the legs, as in perfect.

    Then ýung mukha nýa was sobrang exotic, talagang Filipinang-Filipina ang registry. Tapos ýung gown nýa, sakto ang fit at nag-match sa personality nýa. In short, she carried the dress so well and the dress did not outshine her. Kaya for me, she is my all-time favorite Miss Philippines rep natin sa Miss Universe.

    Below are my other favorites:

    *Aileen Leng Damiles – most beautiful, sweet and lovely face ever
    *Catriona Magnayon Gray – total package with a superb and unmatched oral communication skills
    *Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach – performer
    *Nina Ricci Alagao – stunning Filipina beauty

    Extra: During Binibining Pilipinas 2018 pageant, Michelle Gumabao almost channeled Miriam’s look in Miss Universe, hindi lang naging maganda ang execution. Pero if Michelle works it right for the second time, she could perfectly do it. Sana kayanin pa mag-town down parang sing-balingkinitan ni Miriam. Kaya ba?

    That’s all.

    • Ito yung medyo na bash si Michelle. Maton version daw ni Miriam.
      Sandwiched pa sya ni Ahtisa at Catriona kaya natabunan talaga sya, performance wise.

      • Actually. Nakakatawa nga ýung maton tag kay Michelle na ýun, e. Hindi basta mawawala ang muscle mass sa katawan ng tao, pero it doesn’t mean hindi ka papayat when you do the right diet and gym routine. Among the ladies in this inaugural batch of MUP, si Michelle ang nakikita kong pinaka-angat sa lahat. Sana nga magaya nýa pa si Miriam Quiambao.

        That’s all.

  14. Nakakatawa naman BBP during those years, sunod-sunod ang dethronement due to citizenship/residency issues. Parang di sila natututo from their mistakes in the past. At back to back pa ha, 1998 and 1999. Pero inspite of it, I still love BBP, ang dami kayang sumaya at nagalak na tao sa Pinas, men and women, veklah o straight.

    • Yun nga yung nakapagtataka sa BbP. Nakakalusot ang mga may residential issues, pero yung mga may naked photos or provocative photos hindi nakakalusot. Hello Kim delos Santos!
      Kalokah talaga si madam.

  15. Chakaness din naman yung Janelle Bautista. Good thing she was dethroned. For sure, taga-palakpak ang lola niyo sa MU if ever she was sent. Di ganun kapoise. Parang tiktokerist lang ng new generation. Chweh!

    • I saw Janelle Bautista in person…ANG GANDA! mamula mula ang balat. Pics and videos don’t give justice to her!

  17. Miriam is head and shoulders above everyone else in this batch. She transformed into a contender after her training in Venezuela. Rumor has it that Venezuela stopped training Filipinas after Miriam. Her poise and elegance separated her from the rest. (Ang cute din ng ilong nya, walang rhinoplasty)

    I mentioned Lalaine previously. Yes, the great Pitoy had a “not very nice” words for her famous attitude. Paandar lang yung kidnapping nya dahil ayaw na nya bumalik sa Pinas.

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