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Road to Binibining Pilipinas
Despite the criticisms thrown at her loud and clear (that she's already a third timer Bb. hopeful) by some quarters, Maricar wasn't the least bothered. These didn't dampened her spirits and enthusiasm to finally bag the crown and title. "After all, there's no harm in trying, even for the third time around and am really determined to win," she confided during the final screening.   Standing 5'8," possessing a whistle-bait figure of 35-23-35 & exuding an aura of an international beauty queen, Maricar proved her detractors wrong. First and foremost, there's no written rule or regulation in the books of Bb. Pilipinas pageant that previous runners-up, finalists, semi-finalists, special awardees and 'thank-you girls' (losers), are prohibited from rejoining the contest. In fact, this isn't the first in the history of the pageant that a past runner-up emerged as a titleholder after rejoining the contest. The list includes Ma. Desiree Erese Verdadero, 1st runner-up in 1982, won as Bb. Pilipinas - Universe 1984 (3rd runner-up in Miss Universe 1984). Rica, to her kins, peers and friends, comes from a closely-knit and devout Catholic family. "The younger brother of my paternal lolo is a priest, the Rev. Fr. Luciano 'Lon' Balagtas, he's based in Paombong Church. And I have two aunts who are nuns, Sis. Ruth Manalaysay of Paombong Catholic School and Sis. Mercedita Balagtas of San Ildefonso Convent. Both are first cousins of my parents," Rica proudly says. Incidentally, she was born on the birthday celebration of Mama Mary (September 8, 1982) to Jose Marcelo Balagtas of Tabang, Plaridel, and the former Lilia Bigornia Manalaysay of Binuangan, Obando. Her three siblings are Susan, 23; Michael, 19; and Cirilo, 16. Rica revealed she tucks a rosary and a miniature Sto. Nino underneath her gown for good luck and guidance which obviously proved to be effective. "Tears flowed when I saw my tatay from the audience. That was the first time he attended a pageant that I joined in. He's so shy. To think that he himself voluntarily asked my aunt Nida to accompaniy him to the Big Dome. I was really, really touched," she added. "My mother witnessed the final dress rehearsal the night before and just watched the proceedings at home, nerbyosa kasi siya."   Other than her family, Rica admits that she owes her success to talent scout Joy Sambile, Bb. Bulakan organizer Francisco Francisco and beauty queen maker Rodgil Flores." Sambile and Francisco are popularly known as Tita Joy and Mama Chiqui in the beauty pageant circuits. Tita Joy had persuaded Rica to join the Bb. Bulakan 2000 pageant where she won the title. After a month, Tita Joy and Mama Chiqui entered her to the Bb. Pilipinas 2000 pageant. Though she failed to make it to the semis, Rica was adjudged as Miss Close-Up Smile. Months later, the duo took Rica to the Bodyshots 2000 search where she won the Miss Pinnacle (Body Beautiful) award. Rodgil on the other hand, whom she regards as her guardian and brother, encouraged Rica to join the Bb. 2001 pageant where she finished as 2nd runner-up and Best in Swimsuit. After placing in the pageant, Mrs. Araneta, founder and chair of Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI), and the driving force behind the pageant, chose Rica to represent our country in the Miss Globe International pageant which was held in Istanbul, Turkey on April 10, 2001. She bested 27 other international contestants making her the first ever Asian to win the title. She was again tapped to be our delegate to the Model of the World search in Beirut, Lebanon on September 28, 2002. Rica was named one of the five finalists and Best in Evening Wear. Heeding the well-meaning advice from friends to join again the 2004 Bb. edition, Rica had to ask permission from her mother. "At first, I was hesitant to allow her. We were about to sleep then when she told me her plans. Mabait na bata 'yan kaya di ko napahindian. She regularly prays the novena in Baclaran Church with Rodgil's mother," Mrs. Balagtas recalls. "Since her early teens, Rica is already a sought-after sagala in Flores de Mayo in different towns. She was a sophomore student when she first joined a beauty contest conducted by Sta. Rita High School. That was her first panalo."  
Special thanks to: (sources) |
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