Trivia: Why Did Jewel Lobaton Became Miss Universe Philippines 1998?

Jewel Mae Lobaton, Bb. Pilipinas 1998 first runner up became the Philippine representative to Miss Universe because Rachel Soriano and Collete Centeno cannot take on the responsibility. Collete was 17 and was not qualified for Ms U. In fact, Collete got the highest score during the pageant but she was only qualified to win BBI, she was not  also qualified to join Miss World because the residency requirement is 5 years. Rachel, at the time Tisha was dethroned was out of the country for modeling assignments which the BPCI has approved and her contract does not allow her to come back. Rachel will not be able to prepare well and also gave a commitment to join a Pitoy Moreno show in the US. The golden opportunity fell on Jewel’s lap, and as they say, the rest is history.

Beauty Queens and Lucky Charms

The Filipinos are known to be very superstitious.

And whether we like it or not, we carry it with us

In our devotion to beauty pageants.

The pair of earings first worn by Miriam Quiambao

in Miss Universe 1999

Was said to have contained lucky charms.

But it proved not effective when Karen Agustin

Used it in Miss Universe 2002.

But it worked magic with Venus Raj when

She became a runner up in

Miss Universe 2010.

  Georgina Sandico used this pair of earings in Binibining Pilipinas 1999.

In Binibining Pilipinas 2012, Janine used this and she won.

That year, pageant fanatics predicted that the one to wear

This pair of earings would be the crowned winner.

Indeed, they were right.

 And oh, the most antique of them all:

First worn by Aileen Damiles, she won Miss Photogenic in

Miss Universe 1996.

Abbygale Arenas used this the following year,

And she also won Miss Photogenic in

Miss Universe 1007.

Jewel Mae Lobaton also used this in Binibining Pilipinas 1998,

She did not win but indeed, luck was on her side,

She replaced dethroined queen Tisha Silang

And became our Philippine delegate to

Miss Universe that year.

After long years of hiatus, this earing resurrected

Via Karla Bautista

Who became Asia Queen of Beauty in

Miss World 2005.

Venus Raj also had the chance to wear this

In a Pizza Hut commercial after she won as

Fourth runner up in Miss Universe 2010.

Finally, Shamcey used this and became Miss Universe 2011 third runner up.

And most of all,

Mutya Datul also used this one.

She just won Miss Supranational 2013 recently.

While these earings may have brought them luck

I believe winning and nailing it is entirely dependent upon

the beauty queen who wears it.

Of Recycled Bb. Pilipinas Swimsuits and Panties (Part 1)

I usually visit Missosology for my updates about beauty pageants and it has always been the case that when swimsuits and bikinis were paraded by the candidates in the Binibining Pilipinas, pageant fans usually ask with a tinge of doubt if those being worn were not used in the distant and not-so-distant past. The foundation headed by no less than Mrs. Estella Araneta, herself a Miss International titleholder from Colombia had the notorious image of recycling not only gowns and costumes, but even inner wears.

So long as we do not know if it is the same swimsuit or panty, we cannot say it is a recycled one in the strictest sense of the word. Better ask Madam.