LONDON, United Kingdom—Throwback to 1973. Picture this: Miss Philippines Evangeline Pascual at the Miss World 1973 competition at the Royal Albert Hall. Towering. Stunning. Charming. Still, she lost the title to the gorgeous Marjorie Wallace of the United States.
A hundred days into her reign, Wallace was caught kissing singer Tom Jones while engaged to racing champion Peter Revson. Too controversial, and “having failed to fulfill the basic requirements of the job,” Wallace was dethroned. Pascual, however, declined to assume the title.
Still distraught even years after what they felt was an injustice done to a beautiful kababayan, Filipinos who were among the first batch of overseas workers who settled here decided to form a pageant that will showcase Filipina pulchritude.
“It started with the holding of the Miss Philippines pageant way back in 1977 which was organized by the first Filipino association in the UK. In the absence of other events of similar nature, this became the highlight of the year for the Filipino community in the UK,” reminisced Eva Macadangdang, the petite powerhouse behind the Miss Philippines UK Productions (MPUK).
On September 21, 2019, the MPUK celebrated the 40th edition of the pageant. I was privileged to be invited as one of the judges for this milestone, on the strength of being a columnist for BusinessMirror as the lone media person on the panel. I was introduced to Macadangdang by Marie Cordero Fairbank, the head of Parkfleet Consultancy and Services, and Topline Global & Investment Ltd. UK, and the doyenne of Fil-Brits in London.
As with my coverage at national, city or barangay pageants, the Porchester Hall at Bayswater was filled with screaming fans deliriously rooting for their candidates who came from all over the UK. Keishia Quijano, a 20-year-old musical prodigy from Tunbridge Wells, Kent, was crowned the winner. She also won best in casual wear, Miss Charity and Miss Friendship.
“Ending the night with four titles, including Miss Philippines UK, was so unexpected,” Quijano said. She was trained by London’s top Filipino beauty guru, Philip de Vera. “Thank you to the girls who I proudly shared the stage [and many weekends of rehearsals] with. You are all beautiful, both inside and out. Also, I am so thankful for those of you who voted for me for Miss Friendship. It means so much to me and I will forever treasure that. I love you so much!”
Claire Margaret Orr emerged first runner-up and best in evening wear. Kiarra Pingul Ferreira was second runner-up. And third runner-up was Pauline Joyce Alviz. The other contenders were April Rose Piccio, Leslie Mae Penilla, Lisa Mendoza Dixon and Danelle Nichole So.
“I’ve always been proud of my Filipino heritage, but also that I have had the opportunity to grow up in the UK. Both are part of my identity and entering Miss Philippines UK is my way of celebrating what makes me who I am,” said Quijano, who has a resemblance to Binibining Pilipinas World 1994 Cara Subijano. “Regardless of the result, I am proud to share with the world that I accept who I am, where I came from and I’m incredibly proud of it.”
Quijano flew to the Philippines, via sponsor Royal Brunei Airlines, after her victory. She was a guest in the TV show Umagang Kay Ganda, where she shared screen time with Miss Universe 2013 Third Runner-Up Ara Arida. She also witnessed Michelle Marquez Dee crack the Top 12—in a field of 111—at Miss World 2019 held in London. With a little polish and intense preparations, Quijano can be a future contender at any of the national pageants.
A standout for me is the Portuguese-Fil/Brit Ferreira, whose mom Melissa hails from Pampanga, who had in her corner jet-setting designer John Herrera, London model Kacey Coleen and the Dabawenyo UK group led by Midz Mirabueno Dagamac.
At 18, she still has a long way to go before she can seriously take on our rigid pageant system. “I joined Miss Philippines UK for both the experience of pageantry but also as a way to meet new people and make friends. It’s also another way to gain a higher platform for me to share my voice in order to spread awareness to the indigenous children of Davao City who have no access to quality education and health,” Ferreira revealed.
Over the years, the pageant (which also produces Mister Philippines UK) has created a great impact not only within the Filipino community but also among the British public as it enhances a deeper awareness of our culture and respect for the Filipino identity among the next generations.
Ida Labit was the first winner. In succeeding years, the MPUK produced Binibining Pilipinas 2017 Top 15 finalist Christagale Borja (who was the 2019 MPUK pageant host) and Binibining Pilipinas World 1999 Lalaine Edson; Kimberly Escartin, a finalist at Miss Universe Great Britain 2017; and renowned dancer Len-len Delfino.
Also an outstanding alumna is Rachel Grant, who was the Bond Girl named Peaceful in Die Another Day (2002). She also has royal blood. Her grandfather, the late Baron Raymond de Longueuil, whose mother was Ernestine Maude Bowes-Lyon, was second cousin to Queen Elizabeth II.
Perhaps, the most famous product is Myleene Klass, one of the UK’s top celebrities. She’s a singer, pianist, author and model.
With her pop group Hear’Say, their first two singles reached No. 1, in the UK singles chart. She has presented several top-rating TV programs. Filipinos will know her as the excited host of Miss World 2013 when Megan Young won.
“We are delighted that in one little way, we are able to promote Philippine culture and tourism. It is a great feeling to observe the contest get stronger and stronger every year,” Macadangdang declared. “For the past 40 years, Miss Philippines UK has inspired young Filipino women to reveal their
beauty and personality, talent and skill, academic excellence and artistic ability, waiting to be discovered and recognized.”
Image credits: MISS PHILIPPINES AND MR. PHILIPPINES UK FACEBOOK