Throwback Thursday: #TBT-6

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Everyone remembers the Miss Universe winner, but only few appreciate the girls who miss the crown just by whiskers.  These ladies sometimes get the chance to fill in the shoes of the winner if the latter is not able to fulfil her responsibilities.  Sometimes the Miss Universe organization is kind enough by inviting the runner-up to some of the activities.   For instance, Cynthia Olavarria was present at the Puteri Indonesia finals inspite of being the first runner-up.  Of course, the fans do remember the runner-ups.  In fact sometimes, the fans love the runner-ups more than the winners.  Hence being a runner-up is a big deal too!

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Janine & MIriam

 

Recently I bumped into this beautiful picture of Janine Tugonon & Miriam Quiambao.  Both the girls made it to the Top 2 at Miss Universe and were gracious first runner-ups in their years.  While Miriam did it way long ago in 1999 (she looks great even today!), Janine was the runner-up in 2012.

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Miriam in her year had fell on the stage during the preliminary competition. She stood up, walked again and received a huge applause.

 Miriam Quiambao was not the first choice for her country at Miss Universe.  She was chosen when original winner got dethroned due to citizenship issue.  Her entry in the Top 10 was slightly surprising to many.   Nevertheless she proved her merit to everyone by her excellent performance.  She was highly composed and likable in the interview portion.  She looked great in the swimsuit round.  The way she placed her hands made her shoulders noticeable – well, this girl was quite prepared!  She looked very elegant in the evening gown competition.  She talked about her fall in the Top 5 interview round, but she choked a bit in the final round.  Wish she was more confident & clear in her ideas – she could have fulfilled the long Filipino dream!  The winner of the night was Miss Botswana Mpule Kwelagobe & Miriam had to suffice being the first runner-up.

She was web-presenter in the succeeding Miss Universe edition looking better than ever before. Recently she walked at a leading fashion show in New York city.
She was web-presenter in the succeeding Miss Universe edition looking better than ever before. Recently she walked at a leading fashion show in New York city.

Janine Tugonon was under high pressure in her year because her predecessors had both placed in the Top 5 in the past two years.  However, this girl had come with a lot of preparation which was evident in the performance.  She stood in the bunch with her excellent walk.  Her lean body & likable presence brought her into the Top 5, deservingly.  In the last round, she gave a very confident answer.  She said that it is not necessary for a Miss Universe to be fluent in English, I agree to her of course.  Her answer could have brought her the crown in some other years, but then we had the personable Olivia Culpo among the Top 5 finalists.  Culpo showed immense spontaneity & confidence in her answer and clinched the title.  Janine went on to become a very known face in her country.  Read our post Tribune to Janine Tugonon.

Both the girls – Miriam & Janine are etched foreover, not just in hearts of the pinoys, but also in hearts of millions of pageant fans from different parts of the world.  They are LOVED!

PC: Youtube, Rappler, pep.ph