Gwendoline Ruais: Hello, World!

Easy lies the crown on the head of Gwendoline Ruais, the first Miss World-Philippines who is under pressure to bring home the country’s first Miss World crown which is at stake in the Miss World contest on Nov. 6 in London. (The closest finish made by a Filipina was in 1972 when Evangeline Pascual placed first runner-up to USA’s Marjorie Wallace, later dethroned; in 1973, Ruffa Gutierrez placed Second Princess [third place] to Miss Jamaica.)

“Gwendoline will compete with 119 other girls from the same number of countries,” said Cory Quirino, franchise-holder of Miss World-Philippines. “Miss World is the biggest beauty pageant in the world, the very first pageant ever to be established in 1951, ahead of the Miss Universe pageant.”

Crowned Sunday last week at the PICC by no less than reigning Miss World Alexandria Mills (of USA), Gwendoline at 5’11” was the tallest among the 25 contestants, weighing 60 kilograms (roughly 132 lbs.); measuring 36-26-36; and wearing small/medium-size shirt and large-size pants.

In last year’s Bb. Pilipinas pageant won by Venus Raj (fourth runner-up in that year’s Miss Universe contest), Gwendoline placed among the Top 10 but her no-win didn’t discourage her from joining another contest, emerging the favorite winner.

Half-French (paternal side) and half-Filipina (maternal side), Gwendoline (misspelled “Gwendolyn” in other media reports) was born in Makati City, moved to Thailand when she was two years old, to France when she was five years old and back to the Philippines when she was 11. “I’ve been living here since then,” said Gwendoline who holds a Business Management degree (Honours Program) from Southville Foreign University.

Asked what her winning traits are, Gwendoline said, “I believe that my personality is one of my best qualities. I am sociable and I love communicating with other people. I am goal-oriented and passionate, and also confident and ready for any challenge.”

To test Gwendoline’s Q&A ability, I asked her to answer two Miss Universe questions:

(1). What’s the biggest mistake that you’ve made in your life and what did you do to correct it? (To Venus Raj in 2010)

With reigning Miss World Alexandria Mills (of USA) who crowned Gwendoline

“I think the biggest mistake anyone can make is to give up on their dreams. After my first pageant (in 2010) which wasn’t successful, I decided not to think about pageants anymore and I pursued another career (modeling). Everything was going great, but it didn’t seem to be enough. But joining Miss World-Philippines this year was the best correction ever. It “healed” me, made me grow as a person and now I couldn’t be happier. Today, I look forward to my next pageant (Miss World 2011 in London).”

(2). Would you change your religious beliefs to marry the man you love?

“No I believe that if someone truly loves you, then that person would love you completely for everything that you are and thus never ask you to change something that is so fundamental to who you are. So if that person can’t respect my own beliefs then it isn’t true love, and so why would I marry him.”

Asked to describe her family, Gwendoline said, “I come from a bi-cultural family so I have the privilege of benefitting from what I think is ‘the best of both worlds’ by assimilating different elements from each culture (the good morals and values of Filipinos and the very liberal state of mind of the French).”

Aside from the title, Gwendoline also won Best in Swimsuit. With her figure, she might as well be Miss Body Beautiful.

Find out how Gwendoline developed her to-die-for body.

As the first Miss World-Philippines, what do you think was your edge over the other contestants?

“All modesty aside, definitely my height. But the other important factor came from within; I believe it was also my passion, desire and drive to win that crown.”

Our country doesn’t have a good image abroad. As Miss World-Philippines, what can you do to change the way foreigners look at us?

“I can do my best to exemplify the true Filipina beauty by acting with grace, humility and compassion; but also by showing initiative and strength of character.”

What do you think are your chances of bringing home the country’s first Miss World crown?

“I think it all depends on the representative that will be sent. In this case (since it is me) I am positive about the chances since I know that I will do everything I possibly can to get that crown for the Philippines.”

Gwendoline with runners-up (from left) Ma. Paula Bianca Paz (Third Princess), Martha Chloe McCulley (Second Princess), Helen Nicollette Henson (First Princess) and Jaycel Arrozal (Fourth Princess). The 2011 Miss World-Philippines pageant will be replayed tonight on GMA 7, the network that covered the event live last Sept. 18 at the PICC.

How did you prepare for the Miss World-Philippines contest and how are you preparing for the Miss World contest?

“I prepared by doing everything to maintain a healthy mind and body (dieting and exercise are a big part of it).”

What sort of diet do you normally follow?

“Honestly, I wasn’t conscious about my diet until a few months ago when I wanted to become fit and healthy inside and out, so I researched about various healthy diets till I settled for the one I believed liked the most. So now, I eat mostly fruits and vegetable, with whole-grain breads and nuts. I love cheese and pastries but I try to avoid them as much as possible.”

What’s usually for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and snacks between meals?

“For breakfast, fruits (watermelon is one of my favorites) or whole-grain cereals. For lunch, grilled zucchini, tomatoes and mushrooms. It was my mom who came up with those healthy grilled dishes for my ‘pageant diet, but it turned out that I actually love it. For snacks, almonds, cashew nuts and singkamas.”

How much water do you take per day?

“I try to drink at least 10 glasses.”

Food that you usually crave for?

“Carbs (breads and pastries).”

What vitamins do you take?

 “Multi-vitamins.”

How much workout do you do?

“At least three times a week, or more if my schedule permits.”

Your body looks perfect. But any part that needs improvement?

“Wow, thanks! Well, I believe there is always room for improvement, so right now I’m working on getting my overall body more toned.”

What part of your body is your favorite?

“My abs and my legs.”

What part of a guy’s body do you notice first?

“All of him.”

‘I believe that my personality is one of my best qualities. I am sociable and I love communicating with other people. I am goal-oriented and passionate, and also confident and ready for any challenge.’

And what’s in a guy that turns you off?

“Arrogance and dishonesty.”

Any beauty secrets?

“I don’t do anything in particular. I just wash and moisturize.”’

How much sleep do you get per night?

“I try to get eight hours, no more no less, to be well-rested and have a productive day.”

Favorite sleepwear?

“Shorts and spaghetti shirt.”

How many pillows do you sleep with?

“Three pillows — one under my head, one I hug and one between my legs.”

Do you snore?

“I think everyone does when they are really tired.”

Do you talk in your sleep?

“I was told that when we were younger, my sister and I used to talk to each other in our sleep! LOL!”

Do you sleepwalk?

“No.”

Last thing that you do before you go to sleep?

“Set my alarm clock for the next morning.”

First thing that you do when you wake up?

“Press the ‘snooze’ button for the millionth time.”

How do you relax, cope with stress?

“I spend time with my loved ones (family and friends).”

Do you meditate?

“I try to, but my mind doesn’t seem to want to relax!”

Favorite hideaway, favorite city?

“I love Paris. Just walking in the street is so beautiful and relaxing.”

How’s your nightlife?

“Practically none. I feel old na. I would rather stay home or have a nice dinner with friends than go out clubbing. But the rare times that I go out, I can dance all night.”

How’s your love life? Do you have a boyfriend?

“None. As my mother always says, ‘There is a time for everything in life (studies, fun, career, love, etc.)’. And right now, I believe that it is the time to focus on me, my career, my goals and dreams, the most important right now being my duty to this country in the upcoming Miss World contest in London.”

What qualities do you want in a man?

“It’s important to me to be able to look up to him, figuratively and literally as well, so I’d like to be able to learn something from him and to be able to wear heels beside him. Also, l value honesty, thoughtfulness, being goal-oriented/driven and his religious beliefs.”

Name three men you think have nice bodies.

“Truthfully, no name comes to mind right now. When I see someone with a nice body, I ‘appreciate’ it for its beauty, but then I don’t think about it anymore than that because I believe what’s inside is more important; that’s what I remember (In a heartbeat, I could name men and women who are beautiful inside).”

Using only body language, how would you make a man know that you admire him?

“I think it’s all in the eyes. There is something beautiful about a Filipina, being poised and graceful even when that is the message you want to get across.”

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