Will Carla be RP’s 3rd Miss U?

That is the usual question that we beauty-watchers ask this time of the year when a new Miss Universe is chosen, this time in Panama where the grand finals are being held (covered live by RPN 9 starting at 9 o’clock this morning).

The last time the Philippines had a Miss U winner was 30 years ago, in 1973, when Margie Moran bagged the crown in Athens. In 1999, Miriam Quiambao almost duplicated Margie (and Gloria Diaz’s, 1969) feat by finishing first runner-up (to Miss Botswana, a Miss World also-ran the year before).

Now, will Carla Gay Balingit bring home the bacon? Hope springs eternal, so we can all hope and dream and pray that she does, can’t we?

Carla, 19, stands 5’7", weighs 114 pounds and measures 34.5-24-34.5. She’s a Tourism student at the Holy Angel University in Pampanga. Carla belonged to a Bb. Pilipinas batch considered to be not only beautiful but brainy as well. The two other winners were Jhezarie Javier, 21, a former Star Circle member who will compete in the Miss International contest in Japan in October and Sydney-bred Maria Rafaela Yunon (21, niece of 1984 Bb. Pilipinas Desiree Verdadero who was third runner-up in that year’s Miss U contest) who’s representing the country in the Miss World contest in China in November.

Yes, it was Carla who impressed both the judges and the audience (at home and at the Big Dome) by quoting a prayer from Mother Teresa (her role model) when asked about peace: The fruit of prayer is silence, the fruit of silence is faith, the fruit of faith is hope and the fruit of hope is love, unity and peace. Carla drew a resounding applause for that answer.

Like her predecessors, Carla made a stopover in Colombia (home country of Bb. Pilipinas Charities, Inc. head Stella Marquez-Araneta) on her way to Panama for a crash course in poise and grace (you know, how to strike that winning pose candidates from Venezuela are noted for; this year, however, Miss Venezuela had to back out due to her country’s economic crisis, so serious it is that she couldn’t withdraw dollars to finance her trip to Panama).

Asked if she wanted to be in showbiz, Carla said, "Why not? I can try TV-host like my idol, Miriam (Quiambao)."

Meanwhile, here are Miss U trivia contributed by reader Victor Semira of the University of Technology in Sydney:

– Countries with the most number of Miss U winners:

• United States – seven (1954, 1956, 1960, 1967, 1980, 1995 and 1997)

• Puerto Rico – four (1970, 1985, 1993 and 2001)

• Venezuela – four (1979, 1981, 1986 and 1996)

• Sweden – three (1955, 1966 and 1984)

• Finland – two (1952 and 1975)

• Thailand – two (1965 and 1988)

• Brazil – two (1963 and 1968)

• Philippines – two (1969 and 1973)

• Trinidad & Tobago – two (1977 and 1998)

• India – two (1994 and 2000)

• France – one (1953)

• Peru – one (1957)

• Colombia – one (1958)

• Japan – one (1959)

• Germany – one (1961)

• Argentina – one (1962)

• Greece – one (1964)

• Lebanon – one (1971)

• Australia – one (1972)

• Spain – one (1974)

• Israel – one (1976)

• South Africa – one (1978)

• Canada – one (1982)

• New Zealand – one (1983)

• Chile – one (1987)

• Holland – one (1989)

• Norway – one (1990)

• Mexico – one (1991)

• Namibia – one (1992)

• Botswana – one (1999)

• Russia/Panama – one (2002, Miss Panama took over when Miss Russia was dethroned)

– Countries with the most number of Miss Photogenic special awards:

• England – five (1952, 1962, 1976, 1979 and 1988)

• Philippines – four (1971, 1973, 1996 and 1997)

• Spain – three (1984, 1993 and 2000)

• Italy – three (1960, 1964 and 1986)

– Countries with the most number of Best National Costume special awards:

• Colombia – five (1968, 1985, 1990, 1991 and 1997)

• Korea – four (1974, 1977, 1983 and 2001)

• Brazil – four (1967, 1981, 1987 and 1989)

• India – three (1978, 1980 and 1984)

• Peru – three (1972, 1976 and 1982)

– Countries with the most number of Miss Friendship/Congeniality special awards:

• Guam – four (1970, 1985, 1986 and 1988)

• Japan – three (1958, 1968 and 1979)

• Trinidad & Tobago – three (1975, 1976 and 1978)

• USA – three (1953, 1960 and 1964)

• Bahamas – two (1981 and 2001)

• Australia – two (1996 and 1997)

• Turks & Caicos – two (1989 and 1992)

• Germany – two (1965 and 1990)

• Cayman Island – two (1980 and 1982)

There you are. All accounted for.

In the meantime, enjoy watching the 2003 Miss U Pageant.

* * *

E-mail reactions at: [email protected]