Whatever happened to Binky Montinola?

Several issues ago, Funfare came out with a “whatever happened to” story about Lizbeth de Padua, 1976 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe who is now a neurologist in the US.

Today, Funfare focuses on Binky Montinola who was Bb. Pilipinas-International in 1969, the year Gloria Diaz won Bb. Pilipinas-Universe and brought home the country’s first Miss U crown.

“On Friday the 13th of June 1969,” reported Funfare’s “other beauty expert” Celso de Guzman Caparas, “two winners from among 39 hopefuls were crowned on the same night for the first time since the Binibini pageant began in 1964. Runners-up were Nelia Sancho, Cynthia ‘Denden’ Quirino, Maricar Azaola and Carmina Gutierrez.”

Nineteen days earlier, recalled Celso, “Gloria was named one of the seven finalists in the 1969 Quest for a Model Search won by Maricar. Nelia would later be crowned 1971 Queen of the Pacific in Moomba, Australia. Denden was one of 1968-1969 Manila’s Five Prettiest. Carmina is the aunt of 1993 Bb. Pilipinas World/Miss World Second Princess Ruffa Gutierrez.”

Binky placed one of the 15 semi-finalists in the 1969 Miss International won by Britain’s Valerie Susan Holmes in Japan on Sept. 13, 1969. There were 48 candidates.

According to Celso, “From 1964 to 1968, only one winner was crowned as Bb. Pilipinas for the Miss Universe contest. In 1968, the year Madame Stella Marquez-Araneta took charge of Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI), a separate contest for Miss Philippines (for Miss International) was held and Nini Ramos won, then emerged a Top 15 semi-finalist in the 1968 Miss International in Japan. The Miss Philippines title was bestowed on the winner from 1968 to 1971. From 1972, it was renamed Bb. Pilipinas-International.”

Now a New York resident, Binky is one of Celso’s Facebook friends.

“Binky is one of my avid followers,” said Celso. “She loves my food blogs, pictures of rural scenes and, of course, updates on beauty pageants. Binky, who just celebrated her birthday last Feb. 22, graciously said ‘yes’ when I asked her permission to be featured in Funfare. She even sent her recent photos and one with her family.”

In 1991, Binky graced the coronation night of the Bb. Pilipinas winners.

How has Binky’s life been after she relinquished her crown?

“After my reign,” she told Celso, “I got married on Aug.  15, 1970 to Angel (first cousin of Jorge L. Araneta) who died four years ago. I moved to Bacolod City where I was a full-time housewife. I was invited to several functions and to be a judge in local beauty contests in Negros.

“At some point, I helped with the organization of the MassKara Festival Queen which debuted in 1982. I also actively took part in the House of Negros where eventually I went into custom designing for upscale clientele, from draperies to furniture and etc.,” added Binky who graduated with a Fine Arts degree from the Philippine Women’s University.

Binky decided to go to New York in September 1998 when her husband’s health began to fail; their sugar farm wasn’t doing good either.

“He got the best medical treatment in New York and lived for 10 more years,” said Binky. “I cannot ask for more. God is so good. I put God at the center of my life. I always pray to start and end my day, and thank Him for all my blessings.”

A workaholic, Binky disclosed that she had just ended her 15-year job as a companion to what she described as “a wonderful lady in an affluent city in New York” when the lady passed away at 98.

“I enjoy being a grandmother to my two grandchildren (Alfonso Luis and Aurora Sophia) and being around my sons Jose Luis and Juan Carlos. I travel every year and make it a point to visit my wonderful in-laws in Bacolod. I just sold my house there. I also visit my nieces in Dubai, Singapore and Thailand. On Feb. 28 (Sunday), I’m going to Bangkok, Vietnam, Cambodia. I’m attending a wedding in Phuket on March 5. I’m looking forward to an enjoyable trip with my nieces.”

The search for the new batch of Binibinis has been launched. Asked by Celso what tips she would give the aspirants, Binky said, “Work out on your physical attributes, so you get noticed among the crowd. Ask help from experts on make-up, health and nutrition to enhance your assets. Most of all, keep up with the current national and international events. Exude an aura of elegance. It’s the epitome of a real Filipina.”

Above, left: 2015 Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach and reigning Miss Universe-Canada Paola Nunez with the 2016 Miss Universe-Canada hopefuls. Above, right: Pia at the Aid for Aids International Organization (AAIO) office. Below: With 2015 Miss Teen USA Katherine Haik at the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.

Pia delivers anti-bullying message during Canada visit

2015 Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach arrived in Toronto, Canada last Sunday, Feb. 29. It was her first visit to this North American country where she delivered an anti-bullying message and shared her thoughts on cyber bullying at the Speakers Forum for the International Students of the Language Academy of Canada (ISLAC) at the Toronto Reference Library.

Pia also participated in the ISLAC Speakers Forum for the Students of the International Language Academy of Canada and graced the fund-raising dinner in support of the Sick Kids Foundation. Accompanying Pia were former Canadian Prime Minister John Turner and reigning Miss Universe Canada Paola Nunez.

With Paola, Pia passed by the training session of 2016 Miss Universe Canada hopefuls and gave inspirational message to them: “Be good to yourselves and good to each other, and root for each other. Get to know and support each other and be there when adversity comes. You cannot go wrong with kindness.”

Earlier in New York City, Pia and 2015 Miss Teen USA Katherine Haik volunteered at a Project Sunshine at the Mount Sinai Hospital and brought smiles to children and families.

Pia also visited the offices of Gay Men Health Crisis (GMHC) which  helps curb the AIDS epidemic and uplifts the lives of those affected with the disease, and Aid for Aids International Organization (AAIO) which is committed to empowering both communities at risk of HIV and the general population.

“I had my first meeting with GMHC and am looking forward to supporting the great work they do to raise awareness for HIV/AIDS in the LGBT community,” said Pia. “I’m proud to be an advocate for this worthwhile and empowering cause. Thank you, AAIO, for a day of learning about the work you do empowering communities at a risk of HIV. Now, I hope to share my knowledge with all of you! Let’s stop the stigma!”

— Reported by Celso de Guzman Caparas/Photos courtesy of Miss Universe Organization (MUO)

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