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LIA ANDREA RAMOS: Lovely questor for RP’s 3rd Miss Universe crown
By JOSE D. PATAO, JR.

IT has been 33 years since Margie Moran won the Philippines' second Miss Universe crown in Athens, Greece in 1973. Gloria Diaz became the first Pinay Miss Universe in Miami, Florida in 1969. And Miriam Quiambao came closest to winning our third title when she emerged as first runner-up in Trinidad & Tobago in 1999. Who will finally end the drought for another Philippine victory in Miss Universe?

This year, the answer rests in the person of reigning Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Lia Andrea Aquino Ramos who left for Bogota, Colombia last Sunday (June 11) for the final leg of her intensive preparations for the 55th Miss Universe Pageant to be held in Los Angeles, California on July 23.

Ramos, or Lian to family and friends, met the press during her send-off party at the gazebo of the Araneta Coliseum the other Friday and expressed her excitement over her forthcoming pageant assignment.

"Of course, I'm pressured but very excited on my Miss Universe trip. The challenge of winning the Philippines' third Miss Universe crown rests not only upon me but all of us. I know that winning as Miss Universe will mean a lot for us Filipinos so I'm counting on your support and prayers," an ever-smiling Lian said during her presscon.

If there is one sure thing, Lian will not be wanting in support especially when she arrives in Los Angeles on July 4. Practically all of her relatives, especially on her mother's side are in the US with a majority of them residing in the San Fernando Valley area (near LA).

Lian was born on January 11, 1981 in Davao City to Ferdinand Ramos, a finance director, and the former Rosalia Aquino, a nurse who was originally from Cagayan Valley. She is the eldest among four siblings, two of whom are now based in the US with her parents. 

Lian graduated with a degree in BA Political Science at the University of the Philippines. She is currently on leave from her job as an assistant program officer of the Asia Foundation-Philippines, an international non-profit organization committed to the development of a peaceful, prosperous, just and open Asia-Pacific region. 

"The foundation's project closest to my heart is the jail decongestion project which aims to provide legal assistance to overstaying adult detainees as well as children in conflict with the law." Lian's stint at the foundation has proven her commitment and passion for development work.

Lian intends to take up the foreign service exams and work her way up as an ambassador in the future. She also wishes to be involved in international development work advocating for children’s causes especially in the UNICEF, UNESCO and similar world organizations. 

Lian, a certified scuba diver and music lover, is passionate about traveling and remains to have a fervent desire to be able to travel around the world before she hits 30. "Traveling opens your mind and allows you to be more tolerant and understanding of other cultures and beliefs. It's good for the soul," Lian confesses.

In 2001, Lian joined her first beauty pageant, the Miss Global Queen Philippines search, and ended up as one of the 10 semi-finalists. Talent handler Jonas Gaffud had been prodding Lian to join Bb. Pilipinas since then and it was only this year that she finally decided to take a shot at the national beauty pageant. Lian is now 25 (the maximum age limit for Bb. Pilipinas) and she admits "It's now or never!"

At the national pageant finals at the Big Dome last March 4, Lian copped the most coveted Bb. Pilipinas-Universe title in addition to 4 subsidiary titles: Miss Photogenic, Best in Swimsuit, PAL Sunniest Personality and Miss Beautiful Hair.

More than a dream come true, Lian was very happy for her pageant achievement, hoping to advance her advocacies with her new-found status. "The Miss Universe title appeals to me because of its advocacies on HIV/AIDS awareness. More than the pride and honor for my country, I will be able to expand my sphere of influence to be of service to many if I win as Miss Universe."

No wonder then that Lian truly admires Margie Moran. "I admire her beauty, elegance and intellect. But above all, after winning as Miss Universe, I admire her for using her influence to be a change-agent in society by advancing her advocacies of providing shelter and livelihood for the underprivileged, as well as promoting peace and development in Mindanao."

Standing 5'7", measuring a lean 34-23-35, deliciously tanned and very intelligent and witty, Lian is beauty and substance personified. This writer believes Lian is a shoo-in for a top 15 slot in Miss Universe; she should also breeze her way to advance to the top 10. From there on, it will be up to Lian - with a bit of help from Lady Luck - to work her way up to clinch a spot in the top 5 and eventually, the Miss Universe crown.

Lian will be joined in Los Angeles by about 90 delegates worldwide who will contest the coveted Mikimoto pearl-and-diamond Miss Universe crown currently held by Canada's Natalie Glebova. The finals will be staged at the Shrine Auditorium on July 23 (July 24 in Manila) and will be telecast live via satellite by RPN 9 and Starworld.

All the best, Lian... bring home our third Miss Universe crown!

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