BEAUTY AND WIT: The first BIG FOUR Filipina titleholders

Miss International 1964

Looking back to 1964, Gemma Guerrero Cruz cemented the Philippines' place in the world by winning Miss International in 1964 and became the first Filipina to own the global stage of a major beauty pageant. But little did we know, nobody from the country expected her to win, not even her family, as she didn’t fit the “Filipino” definition of beauty and as her family which includes journalists and diplomats, were opposed to her participating in pageantry. Later, Gemma donated all her $10,000 cash prize to the Manila Boys Town and Girls Home in Marikina City, which serves underprivileged and out-of-school youngsters.

Miss Universe 1969

1969, No one can forget about the historic event in the world of pageantry just like in space at that time, as Gloria Diaz, an 18-year-old from the Philippines, became the first Filipina to conquer the Universe. Diaz owned the Universe with her wit and intelligence as she gracefully answered the final question: “In a next day or so, a man will land on the moon. If a man from the moon landed in your hometown, what would you do to entertain him?” with a straightforward answer of, “Oh, just the same things I do. I think if he has been in the moon for so long, I think when he comes over, he wants to change, I guess.” And the rest is history as she won the title.

Miss Earth 2008

Now, as for the Earth, it was year 2008 when Karla Paula Henry won the Miss Earth title becoming the first Filipina beauty and the first in Asian region to do so. It was also the first time in Miss Earth history that the winner was from the host country. She was also awarded five special major and minor awards, Miss Earth Designers Award, Miss Photogenic, Eagle Express Award, Miss Fontana, Pasigandahan Awards (for Manila).

Miss World 2013

From Universe to Earth and now World. 9 years ago, Megan Young created history when she won the prestigious Miss World title in 2013. She was the first Filipina to be crowned Miss World. She even declared during her coronation that she wanted to be the finest Miss World ever. Young is the Philippines' lone Miss World titleholder, as none of her successors have been able to match her achievement yet. She has been co-hosting the international competition since winning Miss World.

Pageants continue to be a step toward empowering women. It is a means via which women may advocate for their causes and encourage other women to be strong and self-assured. It provides a platform for women to be strong, influential, and vocal—possibly traits that every woman should possess.

Although there is a lot of inspiration in beauty pageants, it's equally critical to remember that women can be just as powerful without a crown or other title.