What does Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, Miss Universe 1999 1st Runner Up Miriam Quiambao, Miss Universe 2010 4th runner up Venus Raj, and Miss Universe 2017 top 10 finalist Rachel Peters have in common?
Aside from being blessed with beauty, grace and poise, these four ladies hail from the province of Bicol!
Catriona Gray is now the first Bicolana to have won the most prestigious beauty pageant title – so much so that the hashtag #DaragangMagayon (translation: Beautiful Maiden) trended both on Facebook and Twitter following her triumph last December 17!
Miriam Quiambao, who won 1st runner up during the Miss Universe 1999 pageant, happens to hail from the same town in Oas, Albay.
Miss Universe 2010 4th runner up Venus Raj and Miss Universe 2017 top 10 finalist Rachel Peters hometown on the other hand both come from Camarines Sur.
After Quiambao won in 1999, a decade passed with Philippines not even coming close within the top 10 rankings. However, Venus Raj broke the dry spell when she placed 4th runner up in the Miss Universe 2010.
Philippines has since been one of the countries to look out for – managing to grab two Miss Universe crowns, four Top 5, as well as two Top 10 rankings.
Here are the Philippines’ top ranking Miss Universe candidates: