Precious Lara Quigaman Interview

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Our Precious
By Larry Leviste

Newly-crowned Miss International Precious Lara Quigaman, the country's first international beauty queen in 26 years, talks about what made her a winner.

Lens maverick Jun de Leon decrees that I will have to do an ambush interview—not while his beauty queen wife Abbygale Arenas works on his subjects, nor while the magazine guys style and shoot this scoop-d'etat cover. Unperturbed and ready for Miss International Precious Lara Quigaman's 10 am entrance, I scribble my terrorist attack question in red ink.

Suddenly, our nation's pride enters with the Bb. Pilipinas chaperones. Some 26 years have passed since Melanie Marquez brought home this crown. In my allotted 20 minutes, I realize Precious was truly worth the wait.

In a country divided by political one-upmanship, winners like this Miss International provide welcome relief—our brand new shinning rays of hope. Precious has shown us the way to our strengths once more. She beams with confidence, answering every query quickly. She's intelligent and humble, and I soon discover the wit and wisdom of a real winner.

I remember Gloria Diaz. When she joined the Miss Universe competition in 1969, she said she hung out with the blonde candidates so her exotic beauty would stand out. What was your game plan to get noticed before the preliminary judging?
I was initially told to hang out with the Latinas, but I didn't. I stayed with the Asian candidates. I would call the photographers to take our pictures. I also trained the Asians to move quickly. I taught them to be lively and move quickly as a group to the front line for the international press. I would wake up extra early so I'd be in makeup and ready for the activities. I also made a pact with myself that, for the duration of the pageant in Japan, I would be the most beautiful candidate participating.

This was your second try at Binibining Pilipinas. Would you encourage other contestants who didn't place to try again after a few years?
Most definitely, especially if they want to win a title. When you do this pageant again, it's pure fun. There is no more fear, no doubt, and you know the pace and schedule. You know what will work for your body. You'll have the confidence and ease you didn't have the first time.

Did the fact that you've lived in Bahrain and London help you cinch this title?
Yes, for sure. Living in other countries broadens your mind and lets you encounter very different cultures, people and traditions. You feel it's a global village. I met people of different races, and it just made me see our similarities more. You will develop a curiosity that allows you to try new food, flavors and entertainment you never dreamed of. You become international in your outlook.

Was it a stage mother who kept entering you in beauty contests, like in an afternoon variety show, when you were younger?
It was always my stage father. He kept helping develop my personality because I was shy as a child. It was a game, and not serious. He must have known subconsciously that his time with me on this earth was short. He instilled in me strength of character. He made me believe in myself. I miss him a lot.

Did you think you had a competitor, or a candidate who made you fight harder?
It was Miss Venezuela who was the crowd favorite. It was strange, because she didn't even place. But looking at her made me try even harder—haha!

Your vital and winning measurements?
33-23-33.

If you lost, would you have married your boyfriend?
No, because I'm too young for that. He proposes marriage to me every year, and I always tell him, maybe next year.

What did you ask God the night of the coronation?
I asked Him, if it was in His Divine Plan, please let me finish as one of the 12 finalists. I guess that proves that when God grants your request, He gives you more than you ask for. I am sure of that forever.

What was the X factor that you showed that night—your smile, walk, gown, or the all-important question and answer?
It was all of the above, with the spirit of God glowing in me. That's what it was.

What is the sexiest part of your body?
My brain.

What is your dream, now that you've won this title?
To someday go back to London and teach Sunday School to my young children's group.

Do you originally want to be Miss International?
No, I wanted to join Miss World, but the rule was, you had to have lived in your home country for five years. For Miss Universe, it's one year residency. I guess God had other plans for me. I am very satisfied with the title, though. It is a gift.

If you had to, how would you break up with a boyfriend?
I would invite him to his favorite resto for lunch, pay for it and tell him over coffee.

What products do you put on your face?
Just Pond's Cold Cream and warm water, followed by cold water. I don't use soap.

What friendships did you form in this pageant?
Although I was told not share my trade secrets, like posing, walking, makeup, etc., I shared all my tips and helpful advice with all the Asian candidates I hung out with. Miss Singapore told me, in this life you don't get what you want. You get by with what you give to others.

How did you come up with your winning answer that made you Miss International 2005?
You know, it was a speech. We were told to write and submit a 20-minute speech on what we would do if we were to become Miss International. As coached, I wrote the usual thing about wanting world peace. But the moment I opened my mouth, it's as if the Holy Spirit wanted me to say what was in my heart. It was to someday return to the United Kingdom, if only to see the young children I gave Sunday School lessons to. We would read the Bible and discuss it.

That is what I truly felt and believed in. Humility and honesty got me that crown.

METRO MAGAZINE
November '05 issue

Read another Precious' interview: INTERVIEW II

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MAIN >> Interview I >> Interview II Our Precious By Larry Leviste Newly-crowned Miss International Precious Lara Quigaman, the country's first international beauty queen in 26 years, talks about what made her a winner. Lens maverick Jun de Leon decrees that I will have to do an ambush interview—not while his beauty queen wife Abbygale Arenas works on his subjects, nor while the magazine guys style and shoot this scoop-d'etat cover. Unperturbed and ready for Miss International Precious Lara Quigaman's 10 am entrance, I scribble my terrorist attack question in red ink. Suddenly, our nation's pride enters with the Bb. Pilipinas chaperones. Some 26 years have passed since Melanie Marquez brought home this crown. In my allotted 20 minutes, I realize Precious was truly worth the wait. In a country divided by political one-upmanship, winners like this Miss International provide welcome relief—our brand new shinning rays of hope. Precious has shown us the way to our strengths once more. She beams with confidence, answering every query quickly. She's intelligent and humble, and I soon discover the wit and wisdom of a real winner. I remember Gloria Diaz. When she joined the Miss Universe competition in 1969, she said she hung out with the blonde candidates so her exotic beauty would stand out. What was your game plan to get noticed before the preliminary judging? I was initially told to hang out with the Latinas, but I didn't. I stayed with the Asian candidates. I would call the photographers to take our pictures. I also trained the Asians to move quickly. I taught them to be lively and move quickly as a group to the front line for the international press. I would wake up extra early so I'd be in makeup and ready for the activities. I also made a pact with myself that, for the duration of the pageant in Japan, I would be the most beautiful candidate participating. This was your second try at Binibining Pilipinas. Would you encourage other contestants who didn't place to try again after a few years? Most definitely, especially if they want to win a title. When you do this pageant again, it's pure fun. There is no more fear, no doubt, and you know the pace and schedule. You know what will work for your body. You'll have the confidence and ease you didn't have the first time. Did the fact that you've lived in Bahrain and London help you cinch this title? Yes, for sure. Living in other countries broadens your mind and lets you encounter very different cultures, people and traditions. You feel it's a global village. I met people of different races, and it just made me see our similarities more. You will develop a curiosity that allows you to try new food, flavors and entertainment you never dreamed of. You become international in your outlook. Was it a stage mother who kept entering you in beauty contests, like in an afternoon variety show, when you were younger? It was always my stage father. He kept helping develop my personality because I was shy as a child. It was a game, and not serious. He must have known subconsciously that his time with me on this earth was short. He instilled in me strength of character. He made me believe in myself. I miss him a lot. Did you think you had a competitor, or a candidate who made you fight harder? It was Miss Venezuela who was the crowd favorite. It was strange, because she didn't even place. But looking at her made me try even harder—haha! Your vital and winning measurements? 33-23-33. If you lost, would you have married your boyfriend? No, because I'm too young for that. He proposes marriage to me every year, and I always tell him, maybe next year. What did you ask God the night of the coronation? I asked Him, if it was in His Divine Plan, please let me finish as one of the 12 finalists. I guess that proves that when God grants your request, He gives you more than you ask for. I am sure of that forever. What was the X factor that you showed that night—your smile, walk, gown, or the all-important question and answer? It was all of the above, with the spirit of God glowing in me. That's what it was. What is the sexiest part of your body? My brain. What is your dream, now that you've won this title? To someday go back to London and teach Sunday School to my young children's group. Do you originally want to be Miss International? No, I wanted to join Miss World, but the rule was, you had to have lived in your home country for five years. For Miss Universe, it's one year residency. I guess God had other plans for me. I am very satisfied with the title, though. It is a gift. If you had to, how would you break up with a boyfriend? I would invite him to his favorite resto for lunch, pay for it and tell him over coffee. What products do you put on your face? Just Pond's Cold Cream and warm water, followed by cold water. I don't use soap. What friendships did you form in this pageant? Although I was told not share my trade secrets, like posing, walking, makeup, etc., I shared all my tips and helpful advice with all the Asian candidates I hung out with. Miss Singapore told me, in this life you don't get what you want. You get by with what you give to others. How did you come up with your winning answer that made you Miss International 2005? You know, it was a speech. We were told to write and submit a 20-minute speech on what we would do if we were to become Miss International. As coached, I wrote the usual thing about wanting world peace. But the moment I opened my mouth, it's as if the Holy Spirit wanted me to say what was in my heart. It was to someday return to the United Kingdom, if only to see the young children I gave Sunday School lessons to. We would read the Bible and discuss it. That is what I truly felt and believed in. Humility and honesty got me that crown. METRO MAGAZINE November '05 issue Read another Precious' interview: INTERVIEW II BACK TO INDEX