Miriam Not Ready For Movies

Even now that she has one foot into showbiz, being one of the hosts of the GMA morning show Unang Hirit (weekdays, 5 to 8:30 a.m.), 1999 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe and Miss U first runner-up Miriam Quiambao insists that she isn't ready for the movies yet, thank you.

When she faced the movie press yesterday at Jay Sonza's Retro (along Roces Avenue, Quezon City), Miriam clarified reports that she turned down an offer to co-star with the FPJ (in Ang Dalubhasa, the year's first megahit).

"There was never any formal offer from any company," said Miriam. "But there was an invitation from a company. It's not true that I was asking for P1 million as talent fee. Wala talagang offer. Even if there was, I would have politely turned it down simply because I'm not ready for the movies. Bago ko pasukan ang kahit ano, gusto ko handang-handa na ako, siguradong-sigurado na ako."

She said yes to the GMA offer because, according to Miriam, "I'm interested in News and Public Affairs." With Unang Hirit, she added, "I feel that I would grow and learn a lot. Acquiring knowledge fulfills me."

Her Unang Hirit co-hosts are Ryan Agoncillo, Suzi Entrata, Mickey Ferriols, Arnold Clavio and Martin Andanar.

Speaking of beauty queens making a U-Turn into showbiz...

Quick to the draw, Funfare's "beauty-expert" quartet (Felix Manuel and Gery Yumping, both nurses; Joey Ceazare; and Francis Calubaquib) reacted to Funfare's story on the Bb. Pilipinas pageant last Monday (Feb. 14 issue) by sending an additional list (complete with photos) of Bb. Pilipinas title-holders and semi-finalists who have tried their luck in showbiz. Some have stayed while the rest have faded back into oblivion or domesticity after a good try.

Title-Holders

* Nini Ramos (1968 Bb. Pilipinas-International) who produced the TV sitcom Eh Kasi Babae

* Annabelle "Bambi" Arambulo (1977 Bb. Pilipinas-Maja) who starred in Temptation Island

* Ma. Cristina "Pinky" Alberto (1977 Bb. Pilipinas-International) who co-hosted a Sunday TV show with the late Ronald Remy

* Dorothy Sue Bradley (1977 Bb. Young-International) who did a few films.

* Desiree Verdadero (1984 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe and a Miss U runner-up) who did a cameo role as Lito Lapid's wife in The Melanie Marquez Story

* Sarah Jane Paez (1989 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe) who starred in the TV sitcom Ang Boypren Kong Mamaw

* Lilia Eloisa Andanar (1989 Bb. Pilipinas-International) who anchors a Channel 23 newscast

* Germelina "Gem" Padilla (1990 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe) who hosted an "informative" TV show

* Jennifer Pingree (1990 Bb. Pilipinas-International) who appeared in a sitcom

* Ana Gonzalez (1993 Bb. Pilipinas Elite Model Look of the Year) who did several Viva movies

* Caroline "Cara" Subijano (1994 Bb. Pilipinas-World) who became a TV sportscaster

* Colette Centeno (1998 Bb. Pilipinas-International) who hosted a magazine show on ABC 5

Semi-Finalists And Runners-Up

* Milagros Sumayao a.k.a. Mila Ocampo (1964, semi-finalist)

* Elvira Pamintuan Gonzalez (mother of Charlene Gonzalez and Richard Bonnin; 1965 Miss Press Photography; second runner-up to Myrna Panlilio, also in 1964)

* Josefina Zaldua a.k.a. Nina Zaldua (mother of Rannie and Lance Raymundo, 1964 semi-finalist)

* Chiqui Somes (daughter of LVN actor Jose Vergara, 1964 semi-finalist)

* Sehba Mulok a.k.a. Soraya (1965 fourth runner-up)

*Elizabeth Winsett Luciano a.k.a. Liza Lorena (1966, first runner-up to Clarinda Soriano)

* Maria Rica Balutoy Key a.k.a. Lotis Key (1967, second runner-up to Pilar Pilapil)

* Maria Elena Samson (1968, third runner-up)

* Emma Rigonan a.k.a. Emma Esmeralda (1969, semi-finalist)

* Eva Abesamis a.k.a. Baroness Eva Koenigswarter (1970, semi-finalist to Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Simonette delos Reyes and Bb. Pilipinas-International Aurora Pijuan)

* Marilou Matti (1970, contestant, mother of Amanda Page)

* Janet Bordon (1971, semi-finalist)

* Ellen Esguerra (1971, semi-finalist)

* Marilou "Polly" Penson (sister of Dina Bonnevie's ex-husband Dick Penson; 1972 second runner-up; later became Mutya Ng Pilipinas)

* Maria Rebecca Reyes a.k.a Cristina Reyes (daughter of Efren Reyes and Virginia Montes, 1972 semi-finalist)

* Tina Monasterio (1975)

* Azenith Briones (1976, semi-finalist)

* Jocelyn dela Cruz a.k.a Tanya Gomez (1983)

* Jenny Guinto a.k.a. Jenny Varga (1983)

* Michelle Bautista (1984, semi-finalist)

* Divina Cristina "Tina" Alcala (1985)

* Estrella "Star" Querubin (1988, became Bb. Pilipinas-World in 1989 and a Manila Councilor for several years)

* Lani Lobangco (1988, semi-finalist)

* Dinah Dominguez (1978, semi-finalist)

* Visitacion Agbayani a.k.a. Tetchie Agbayani (1978, semi-finalist, the first Filipina to bare all for Playboy)

* Cathy Veloso Santillan (1979, second runner-up to Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Dang Cecilio and Bb. Pilipinas-International Melanie Marquez)

* Rosanna Fatima Herrera a.k.a. Nona Herrera (1979, contestant)

* Susan Warsaw Africa (1980, first runner-up to Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Chat Silayan)

* Marilou Bendigo (1980, semi-finalist, later became Mutya Ng Pilipinas)

* Floydeth O'Hara a.k.a. Iris Buendia (1980, contestant)

* Wendy Villarica (1981, withdrawn)

* Monina Tan (1981, co-hosted Kuwarta O Kahon with Pepe Pimentel)

* Mutya Crisostomo Laxa (1990, first runner-up to Gem Padilla and Jennifer Pingree)

* Hazel Huelves (1992, first runner-up to Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Elizabeth Berroya and Bb. Pilipinas-International Joanne Alivio)

* Ma. Cristina Esguerra (second runner-up to Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Dindi Gallardo and Bb. Pilipinas-World Ruffa Gutierrez)

* Janine Barredo (1994, semi-finalist)

* Karen Timbol (1995, contestant)

* Ruth Pilar Barnett a.k.a. Pia Serrano (1995, semi-finalist)

* Ana Marie Falcon (1995, semi-finalist, became member of Boy de Guia's Starbrighters)

* Bernadette Barnes a.ka. Bernadette Marquez (1995, contestant)

* Sovietskaya Bacud (1996 first runner-up to Bb. Pilipinas Universe Aileen Damiles and Bb. Pilipinas-World Daisy Reyes)

* Anne Marie Craig (1996, semi-finalist, co-hosted Eat, Bulaga)

* Genesis Canlapan a.k.a Patricia Javier (1998, contestant)

* Precious Valencia (1998, contestant)