Looking back at the first Bb. Pilipinas-Int’l pageant

Did you know that Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI) started sending representatives to the Miss International Pageant only in 1968 when it acquired its local franchise, the same year Madame Stella Marquez de Araneta assumed chairmanship of BPCI?   

Before that, the Philippines was represented in the pageant by beauty queens chosen by Boys Town including Edita Vital (who became an actress), Pilar Arciaga (a UST medical student), Cynthia Ugalde, Monina Yllana (aunt of actors Anjo and Jomari Yllana), Margarita Romualdez and Gemma Cruz (1964, who brought home the country’s first Miss International title, followed by Aurora Pijuan in 1970, Melanie Marquez in 1979 and Precious Lara Quigaman in 2005). Another representative, Isabel Santos, was sent by National Youth Foundation.

According to Funfare’s “other beauty expert” Celso de Guzman Caparas, the first-ever search in 1968, then called Miss Philippines, was another milestone in BPCI’s beautiful history which is celebrating its 50th (Golden) anniversary this year. Starting in 1973, the winner was bestowed the title Bb. Pilipinas International. 

Here’s Celso’s follow-up to his recent story about the first Bb. Pilipinas-Universe (won by the late Myrna Panlilio):

Candidate No. 9 Nenita “Nini” Ramos was crowned Miss Philippines on Sept. 18, 1968 at the Coral Ballroom of Hilton Hotel. Her runners-up: Fortune Aleta, Benigna Rustia, Bernadette Bayle and Maria Elena Samson. 

Thirteen beauties were chosen as official candidates but only 11 participated in the finals. Those who didn’t make it were Olivia Cabato, Evangeline Diputado, Violeta Domingo, Rosalind Espino, Evangeline Javier and Zenaida Villegas.

The three runners-up were already declared but the last two beauties were left standing holding each other’s hands for almost half an hour on stage before the five-member panel of judges handed its final verdict. The judges were Rep. Ramon Mitra Jr. (chairman), 1964 Miss International Gemma Cruz-Araneta, fashion designer Ramon Valera, artist-painter Arturo Luz (later named National Artist for Visual Arts) and columnist Lina Flor.

As the drums rolled for the climactic decision, Gemma went on stage, paused for a while to add more suspense and then placed the crown on Nini’s head. Caught by surprise, Nini burst into tears of joy. Earlier, she confessed to the judges that she was very nervous and could not make her speech any longer. Nini went home with P1,000 cash, a stereo set, a complete wardrobe, bathing suits, shoes, handbag and an all-expense-paid trip to Tokyo.

At that time, 20-year-old Nini was a working student. She was a receptionist in a law firm in Makati during the day and attended classes as a Business sophomore at the Philippine Women’s University at night.

Only a week after she won, Nini left on Sept. 25 for the Miss International pageant in Tokyo. It was the first time that the contest was held outside Long Beach, California, the pageant’s host since 1960. Nini was adjudged one of the 15 semi-finalists during the finals on Oct. 9. The title went to Brazil’s Maria Carvalho. (Trivia: The first Miss International [1960] was Madame Stella Marquez who represented Colombia, her home country.)

Later, Nini became a TV producer, a Forbes Park kagawad and a Makati councilor. Nini is the maternal aunt of 2002 Bb. Pilipinas World/2002 Miss World Top 10 semi-finalist Kate Manalo and 2009 Bb. Pilipinas Universe Bianca Manalo. 

Nini’s runners-up Maria Elena Samson and Benigna Rustia (who both also joined the movies, but only briefly) competed again and finished first and second runners-up, respectively, to Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Charina Zaragoza during the finals held on June 15, 1968. Fortune Aleta competed in that year’s Mutya ng Pilipinas search and placed first runner-up to Jane de Joya.

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