Jill Knapp discovered she had Diabetes Type 2 when she was 37 years old and pregnant with her third child. After giving birth, doctors put her on a diet and exercise plan. Her husband even set up a mini-gym in their garage so she wouldn’t miss out on any exercise time. She stuck to the game plan and in spite of an accident that broke her ankle, she was able to lose 100 lbs and join the Mrs. Idaho 2009 placing in the Top 5.

Her BattleCry: Get Up and Get Moving!!!

Jill Knapp BEFORE and AFTER!!!

I stumbled upon the story of Jill Knapp online and was so amazed by her story! I wanted to learn more about her weight loss and pageant experience, so I contacted her asking for an interview via email and she responded!

I hope I asked the right questions; I’m so much better at LIVE interviews… anyway, she answered my questions late at night after she put her three little darlings to bed…  here goes -

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1.    Tell us about the day you discovered you had diabetes Type 2.
It was a very depressing day! Feelings of doom were present.

2. What type of lifestyle changes followed your diagnosis?
I really got my head on and started with small but important changes. Eating smaller portions, cutting out sugar.

I do really believe change of this magnitude can only come from a lifestyle change. A diet seems to be temporary and so many times when we are done with our diet we resume  bad habits. A lifestyle change is for good.

3. You had an accident in January 2008. What happened and how did it affect your weight loss campaign?
I slipped and fell on black Ice on my way to my mail box.  I   twisted both  sides of my ankle on the way down. OUCH!!  I broke my fibula and my tibia. I went in to surgery that night and had a plate with six screws put on the  fibula  and the tibia  was left to heal the whole way on it’s own.   It took a total of 9 months to heal.  I did not let my broken ankle stand in my way of losing weight. I continued to eat 6 small meals a day and took off my last 45 pounds. About 80% of weight loss is from how we eat.

Jill's LEG!!!

4. They say the hardest weight to lose is the last 10 lbs. Was this true in your case?
No because I don’t own a scale. I think they sabatosh you. We as woman obsess with the numbers on the scale.
I was not aiming for a number on the scale I was aiming to look and feel better.

5. Please share your TOP 3 eating tips and TOP 3 exercise tips…

Eating:

a. Six small meals a day
b. Cut back on white breads, white rice, white flour
c. Keep a food journal so you are aware of what you eat
Exercise:

a. Exercise regularly
b. Weight lifting.  The more muscle you have the more fat you burn
c. Find joy with your time in the gym or exercising.  It helps you want to go back and workout again! LOL!!

Can I also add I had a person trainer named Rebecca Carington sponsor me.  She helped me get in my best shape. Knowledge is power and getting a personal trainer is great because you learn how to exercise properly so you get more out of your work out.
5. When did you start to think of joining Ms. Idaho? What made you join?
I had a few friends who put some pressure on me to compete for Mrs. Idaho.  I was already publicly speaking and sharing my story about living with type 2 diabetes.  I thought it would be great to compete and if I won I could share my message to a broader audience.  I made the top 5!  :-)
I may have not won but I have had so many doors open and ways to share my story I am so glad I did the pageant. It was a great experience for me and my family.  In the past I always was putting everyone else first. Doing the pageant allowed me to take some time for myself. Now I know the difference and can give more of myself because I give time to myself also!

Jill and her handsome pageant escort and HUSBAND!

6. Did you ever dream of joining a pageant when you were a little girl?
NO! I actually was a professional dancer for many years; I also did some modeling and loved it. My mom talked me into competing in 2 beauty pageants one as a teen and I won! One as a Miss and I placed in the Top 10.  Back then I felt that people were judging me so much on my looks and not for who I was on inside.  Doing a pageant as a Mrs. is a much different feeling. I love that 50% of the  score is in interview.

A precious photo of a young Jill toe dancing...

7. What was your height, weight and vital stats when you joined the pageant?
5’8 ,137 pounds , BP 115/60

I Can't Believe Jill Used to be 237 Pounds!!!

8. What was your platform as a candidate?
Type 2 diabetes.

9. Tell us about the Q&A portion. What was the question and what was your answer?

What would you do as a example to woman if you were to win Mrs. Idaho

I said I would be an example to woman to go out of your comfort zone and try something new. I also said that I recently hit the marker of losing 100 pounds and that being a good example of health was important.

10. What are some of your best pageant memories?
The wonderful woman I met and still have as friends.

Setting and accomplishing each goal that I made for myself.  Getting to know my inner strengths.  You tend to do allot of soul searching when you run in a pageant and it forces you to dig deep and get to know yourself so much better.

Can you spot JILL???

Mrs. Eagle Deborah Viehweg, Mrs. Treasure Valley Sonya Hoadley, Mandi the director, MRS. NAMPA JILL KNAPP and Mrs. Idaho America 2008 Jackie Walker

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11. Any thoughts on the Carrie Prejean issue? We promise not to bite your head off if your opinion doesn’t jive with ours…

Her answer came from her heart.  Her feelings are her feelings and she has the right to her own feelings. Everyone does.

Jill became a motivational speaker after her phenomenal lifestyle change and weight loss. She travels around Idaho sharing her story to young and old and those in between. When she’s not busy doing that, she’s taking care of her adorable three children and her ONE handsome husband who happens to share the same first name as my hubby RON. Jill is also an active blogger – please check out her website, Get Up and Get Moving for information on Type-2 Diabetes, weight-loss, healthy eating, exercise and achieving your DREAMS!!!

The Knapp Family: Ron, Mason. Bryson, Madison and JILL!!!

by Joyce Burton Titular, the blogging beauty queen

thanks to Jill Knapp for all the photos!!!

Jomar Hilario is an Internet Marketing Wizard and consultant for author and motivational speaker Bo Sanchez. He has been my good friend for over 10 years and we share the same passion for Contemporary Christian Music and Science Fiction. He has a beautiful little boy named Sean Riker and his lovely wife Clarisse is currently expecting.

For those NOT in the Philippines, you can attend Jomar Hilario’s online workshops, just read the article for more information…

Jomar Hilario

I spent TWO days at the INTERNET MARKETING WORKSHOP of Jomar Hilario and by the end of it all my nose was bleeding with the information overload – a good thing, as far as I’m concerned, because I got more than I expected from Jomar!!!

I began my love affair with blogging at the tail end of January 2009 when I set up Adventures of a Beauty Queen.  So far, I have been promoting it instinctively (albeit haphazardly) and my efforts seem to be working with an average of 250 views a day. Not bad…  but there’s got to be a way to get more views and maybe even EARN a little moolah since I spend so much time working on it.

So when I heard about Jomar’s workshop on MARKETING YOUR BLOG AND EARNING MONEY WHILE YOU’RE AT IT, I said – save me a seat DARLING!!!

Venue: Genex Gaming Center, Farmer's Market, Cubao

Now sometimes, you attend a seminar or a workshop and you don’t get what you want. You go there for hard information and all you get is an extended pep-talk. Or you attend to get inspired and you end up with all this techno-babble that’s way beyond your mental capacities.

I wanted, NUMBER 1 – Step-by-step information on exactly what to do TO EARN MONEY THROUGH BLOGGING and NUMBER 2 – A little bit of motivational talking – Just a LITTLE BIT okay? Because I  AM SO inspired, I feel like lump of kryptonite – GLOWING to the max but sitting there and not knowing what to do next.

Well, I got BOTH from Jomar’s workshop: Step-by-step HARD information peppered with cool pep talk moments.

But for the most part, the stuff he talked about were things companies paid hundreds of thousands of pesos for. Yes, I will say that again – THE STUFF HE TALKED ABOUT WERE THINGS COMPANIES PAID HUNDREDS OF THOUSAND OF PESOS FOR.  But there we were, 44 attendees who paid ONLY a FEW THOUSAND PESOS each to learn how to blog and turn our blogs into 24/7 taxi meters…  WOW!!!

Jomar "pep-talking"

My BFF Jomar & I making pa-cute!

Stretching TIIIMMME!!!

The things I learned in a nutshell:

- setting up your money-earning blog

- how to use keywords to get the highest paying ads on my blog

- the difference between a passion blog and a money blog

- how to blog A LOT without spending too much time at it

- how to sell my product online, promote it and collect my cash

- ideas on how to make my own e-course or e-book

- all the websites I need to get my online career going ka-ching ka-ching!!!

Bo Sanchez's Book corner...

The BEST THINGS about his workshops:

- the venue is in Farmer’s Market Cubao and EASY to get to!

- it’s really a HANDS-ON workshop

- all attendees will have a computer to work with

- all attendees recieve a copy of his step-by-step presentation

- all attendees recieve a step-by-step manual

- he has at least 10 computer geek facilitators assisting

- he gives pre-workshop homework and information so everyone can go faster during class

AND….

HE OFFERS POST-WORKSHOP HELP. You can ask him questions online (free), you can join his online club (he charges for this) or attend his one-on-one classes or small group sessions (he also charges for these).

He also offers a 90-Day Free Online Course as well as a couple of longer in-depth courses, including a ONE YEAR INTENSIVE ONLINE MARKETING COURSE that costs 3 times less than what it’s worth!

I took a day off from work just to attend Jomar’s Online Marketing Workshop AND I DID NOT REGRET IT! I know that this sounds like a sales-letter and IT IS – from a VERY SATISFIED CUSTOMER.

Jomar’s next Internet Marketing Workshop is on July 3 and 4, 2009, 10:30am to 5:00 pm at the Genex Gaming Center in Farmer’s Market Cubao.  Visit his website http://www.jomarhilario.com to register and to get updates and freebies!!!

For those of you NOT in the Philippines, visit the website above and sign up for his Online Worshop Club!!!

review by Joyce Burton Titular, the blogging beauty queen…

See you at the next workshop!!!!

I'm fourth from the left...

I’ve learned many lessons in the years after winning the Ms. Young Philippines and the Bb. Pilipinas Universe in the 80s; lessons that I wish I had known in those days. But it’s not too late to pass on the wisdom, if wisdom can be treated as such.

If you are dreaming of wearing that Miss Earth tiara or wielding that Miss Bikini Scepter don’t just count on your looks and curves. And you definitely DON’T want to be another pretty girl on stage giving clueless answers. Not when there’s You Tube around!

So here are some solid suggestions to get you on your way to the Beauty Queen path. I wish you the BEST!

Step up to it GRRRRL!!!

1)    Platform –  Yes, you need a platform. Not shoes, but a battlecry. You need to take a stand about something that means a lot to you. Take for instance, me – my battlecry is “Saving the World in a Swimsuit!!!” Although, lately, I’ve been thinking of changing it to “Saving the Universe in a Swimsuit” because that sounds more cosmic and I like to think BIG.

Anywhoo, if you feel strongly about penguins or orphans or the walang kamatayang world peace, then build a platform around that, research about it on the internet and then talk about it non-stop before and during the pageant. ESPECIALLY when the judges are around.

And if you win, then you can keep talking about it AFTER the pageant.

Volunteer!!! Once you’ve decided on your platform, the next step is to set time aside every week to volunteer at the nearest Save the Penguins center or whatever and make sure to chronicle it for PROOF. You’ve got to get outside of your world and see the pain and suffering going on around you or else you’ll never get outside your world and see the pain and  suffering going on around you!

Get out of your comfort room, gurrrl!!!

Always BE PREPARED!

2)    Preparation –The girl scouts said it and I will say it again: Always be prepared. That means, if you speak lousy English then study it for a year before you even attempt to fill out that Bb. Pilipinas registration form. Or… if you are DARING enough, speak in your native tongue. Filipino is one of the most beautiful languages in town and I’m just waiting for the first brave soul-ette who will answer her Q&A question na walang pakundangan at punong-puno ng pagmamahal para sa inang bayan at sa mga kawawang ulianin— este ulila... or whatever…

(correction from Ditas Pangilinan – Anthea Robles competed in Bb. Pilipinas and won one of the titles, and she replied to the final question in Tagalog. We went to the same high school, and I was so proud when she didn’t attempt to answer in English when she knew she could express herself better in Tagalog (Batanguena po kami). I think she competed in the late 80s (we graduated HS in 84).

Practice Answering Questions. One of my most interesting experiences as a Trainer at the Berlitz Language Center was teaching this Korean guy named Paul how to deal with Qs&As. It wasn’t for a beauty pageant, (to my utter regret because that would’ve been MORE fun) but for him to answer test questions. He was going to take a verbal exam that had a Q&A format and he had to move from Level 3 up to Level 2. To my horror, the boss put ME in charge of him. Being a babe of little faith I had doubts as big as giant bowling balls but I took on the challenge and for one month, 3 hours a day, Monday to Friday, I DRILLED Paul on how to:

- stall while answering

- snake around questions he didn’t understand

- and how to sound 100% sure of what he was saying even if he was totally lost.

I believe in the saying – if you can’t be smart, then be BOLD (or beautiful, depending on whether you can be seen or not.)

I clearly remember my last class with Paul – I was the total cheerleader on the outside but blue as Eeyore on the inside. Please, no accusations of being such a faker, but I just didn’t have the heart to tell the guy he was going to fail. So, as we were doing our final tactical review, I was mentally drafting my resignation letter.

Um... what was the question again?

To cut the long story short, Paul returned the following week to tell me he passed; HE MADE IT TO LEVEL 2!!! All my fears were for naught, so we did the dance of joy and had breakfast at my favorite café, Segafredo’s.

See what preparation can do for you?

Other points of preparation – your smile, your fitness and weight, your beauty queen wave, your tan (sorry guys, tans look better on stage), your walk, your teeth, oh drat, I should’ve talked about these things more than the Q&A!!! These are FAR more important!!! We’re talking about BEAUTY PAGEANTS HERE!!!

3)    Purpose. Yes, grrrrl, who cares about life? Go get a purpose!!! Rick Warren hit the nail on the cuticle when he wrote that book Purpose Driven Life a few years ago. There is nothing like a woman with purpose – except maybe a woman with an ax to grind (which is a type of purpose if you realllly think about it.)

I strongly believe that the best way to start discovering your purpose in life is to answer the question: What is my purpose in life?

It doesn’t get any easier than that. (Secret tip: Read/re-read the book I mentioned above Joan of Axe). When you can actually get past that with a decent answer then maybe… just maybe, you’re ready to wear that swimsuit and save the world!!!

by Joyce Burton Titular, the blogging beauty queen

photos found on the ff websites:

http://www.made-in-china.com

http://www.superstock.com

http://www.carriehoffman.com

http://moviedearest.blogspot.com/2008_11_01_archive.html

It felt like the good old days except everybody was MUCH nicer!!! LOL!!!

Yes, it’s true, the models from the 70s and 80s were VERY ‘mataray’ (diva-like) and it took me years to adjust to that kind of temperament and humor. But the top runway models of my day weren’t just ‘mataray’, they were also women who worked their butts off with astonishing professionalism and were the most loyal of friends. And here I was in the make-up room hanging out with these amazingly colorful women, listening to their crass jokes and funny stories being traded across the floor and roaring in laughter…  er…  well, cackling loudly, actually…

But the BEST thing about it all is that my lovely 19-year-old daughter Diandra Zach (who was going to make her runway debut with us senior models) got to see a ‘gentler’ version of what life was like for me when I was her age.

Here are some of the scenes in the make-up room at Fashion Week 2009…

Joyce (me) and Diandra BEFORE

Joyce and Diandra AFTER!

Diandra Zach being dolled up...

The phenominal Jinky Ilusorio works on my foundation...

Ping Federis and me... turns out that we're related! She's cousins somehow with my hubby

Lorna Legaspi, Dana Narvadez, Joyce Ann Burton (me), Desiree Verdadero and Gem Padilla who was visiting us...

Me with Duday Mandanas and Desiree behind us!

Diandra Zach horsing around with a friend

Michelle B and me

Me with Gigi Bautista

Diandra Zach

Diandra Zach with Audie Espino

Jerome Del Prado with Diandra Zach

Diandra Zach with her Lola Cesar Obrero - Thanks Cesar for asking me to be part of Fashion Week and for giving my lovely daughter Diandra Zach a chance to model with me. This is a highlight of my LIFE, Cesar, and I will NEVER EVER forget it!

"The Life of a Queen" by Alya Honasan (L-R beauty queens Joyce Ann Burton, Maggie Wilson and Gem Padilla) for LOOK Magazine

(That’s me, the blogging beauty queen on the left, LOLOLOL!!!)

Oh my, they took faaaaaabulously good photos of me in LOOK MAGAZINE (May-June 2010) – unless you are a woman (or gay) you just don’t know how paranoid we can get about how we look in photos!

But congratulations to LOOK MAGAZINE’s photog Jovel Lorenzo for taking HOT shots of me – Joyce Ann Burton (Bb. Pilipinas Universe 1985), Maggie Wilson (Bb. Pilipinas World 2007) and Gem Padilla (Bb. Pilipinas Universe 1990), three Filipina beauty queens from three different decades.

Writer Alya Honasan invited the three of us to lunch at Caffecino by Dome in Eastwood, turned on her recorder and allowed us beauty queens to blab. And BLAB we DID!!!

We talked about the privileges beauty queens get (like very friendly airport staff at NAIA and increased talent fees), and how a beauty title sticks to you for the rest of your life. Kind of like a husband you can’t seem to divorce.

We touched on the bad part of being ‘beauty-queen-famous’ – Maggie Wilson gets hated on once in while, I got sued by my first-runner up’s manager and Gem Padilla can’t stand the stereotype of “model equals boba”.  GRRR to that!

The three of us also spilled the beans on whether beauty contestants know the final questions before the pageant, how catty contestants can get and how we try to ‘enhance’ our looks without surgery (think false eyelashes, padded bras and secretly cutting your swimsuit a little higher, LOLOLOL!)

Camille Villar - Look Magazine's Cover Girl for May - June 2010 issue

Thanks to my friend Joy Rojas (the first Filipina to run across America) who is the managing editor of LOOK MAGAZINE for inviting me to share my beauty queen stories together with Gem Padilla and Maggie Wilson – I think Joy Rojas knows that when you get beauty queens together, they seem to be more willing to talk about things including the DIRT!!!

Grab a copy of LOOK MAGAZINE at National Bookstore, Fully Booked and Powerbooks.

The May to June 2010 issue features Camille Villar on the cover. Camille Villar is Sen. Manny Villar’s daughter.

Look for “The Life of a Queen” which is the magazine’s LOOKSPEAK feature on page 98!

Joyce Ann Burton Titular (that's me) with a copy of Look Magazine - get your copy now!!!

The search for the next Venus Raj is ON!  Bb. Pilipinas has been accepting applicants to the 2011 Bb. Pilipinas beauty pageant and will continue to do so until January 22, 2011. Click here to find out how to join!

You should see all the chatter on Facebook among beauty pageant fans – things are heating up INDEED! Naturally, all this FB chatter brings to mind the memory of how I ended up on the beauty pageant circuit becoming Miss Young Philippines and eventually Bb. Pilipinas Universe, a long, long time ago.

That's me in the middle, newly crowned Bb. Pilipinas Universe in 1985. Sabrina Artadi (Internationa) is on the left and Tina Alcala is on the right.

It was really all because of my Mom that I became a beauty queen. She somehow saw a ravishing beauty in me even if I was sooo boy-ish as a child. In those days all I wanted to do was boy-things like climb trees, play with frogs and not take a bath for several days if I could get away with it. My hair was cut short like a page boy’s and my daily ‘uniform‘ was short shorts, a loose t-shirt and tsinelas.  Did I write the word boy in this paragraph like 3 times? I think I did.

I remember one time shopping for school supplies in Masagana on Taft Avenue, wearing my usual short shorts etc. when one of the sales ladies snuck up behind me and pinched my legs in the most horrifying way! Then she  said,

“Ang guapo mo naman ‘tas ang puti-puti ng legs mo!”

You’re so handsome and you have such white legs!

Like EEEW to the ends of the earth!

One of my other memories is a much better one – almost every weekend I would climb all the way to the top of the huge tree in the field of Army Navy Club Manila and I would sit up there, almost three stories up, swaying in the wind. Then I’d watch the sunset on Manila Bay, feeling sad and melancholy like as if I were a million years old instead of 9.

Sweet, sweet memory…

Mom’s real dream for me though was to become an actress and not really a beauty queen. You see, she had started a career as an actress and was getting bit roles when she got hitched to Dad. Marriage and family canceled out any plans for herself in that aspect and from then on, I became the hope for her acting dreams to come true.

Wouldn't this poster have looked much better if my name were on it? LOLOL! Just teasing!

When I was about 13, Sampaguita Films announced a search for the cast of the film Batch ’81. It was all over the papers and, if I’m not mistaken, on TV. Mom took this as THE sign and jumped to the quick – I was in Reggie Regalado’s salon in Malate in no time, getting all dolled up for professional photos. We submitted my shots to the office of Manay Ichu, then queen of Sampaguita films and waited. I’d like to think that I was stunning in those photos and that’s why they called me for an audition. Which was a mess, to be honest. And hilarious now that I look back on it!

My audition was one of the more dramatic scenes in Batch ’81 and my co-auditionee was Charlie Ysmael (whom I would end up working with at NU107 years and years later). It was my first time to meet Charlie and he struck me as this mestizong mayabang which, I eventually discovered, was not true. I mean, he IS mestizo but he’s not mayabang really, he just looks it. Anyway, let me be the first to admit that I sucked in that taped audition (and so did Charlie, LOL) and am VERY grateful there was no youtube then.

After that debacle, we tried out auditioning for a couple TV shows like Eat Bulaga but that got nowhere. Then, someone suggested that we go to Regal Films and meet Mother Lily. Mom, being the persistent bulldog she was (and is), charged on and somehow got a face-to-face meeting with Mother Lily.

It was a MUCH easier deal with Mother Lily because there were no tough auditions, just screen tests. She liked me enough after our first few conversations to offer a 10-film, two-year contract. And for two or three weeks, while Mom was studying the contract, I had the chance to live life as a temporary Regal Baby! I attended press conferences, parades, concerts that headlined actors like Gabby Concepcion, Albert and William Martinez, Maricel Soriano, Dina Bonnevie, Snooky and the late Joel Alano and Alfie Anido.

Snooky, who starred in Bata Pa Si Sabel, is the daughter of a beauty queen/actress and a good acquaintance of mine...

My first movie was supposed to have been Bata Pa Si Sabel (which starred Snooky) but in the end, Mom backed out of the Regal deal because she didn’t want me to do ‘daring’ roles with kissing scenes and the like. That was kind of like the trend in those days. So Regal turned out to be a closed door – or so I thought.

It was at the press con of the Regal movie Blue Jeans in one of the restos on Makati Avenue that someone told Mom – why don’t you bring Joyce to Rene Salud, the fashion designer? Maybe he can sponsor her at Bb. Pilipinas? That suggestion turned out to be the key Mom was looking for. The key that didn’t need any acting skills on my part (hooray!) and yet opened a big and bright future for me in the spotlight!

Anyway…

Smiling for joy right after winning Miss Young Philippines 1981. Im second from the left.

In my Mom’s traditional style of treating everything like an emergency, we barged in on Rene Salud in his E. Rodriguez studio without an appointment and told him in no uncertain terms that I wanted to join Bb. Pilipinas and would he sponsor me?

Rene Salud must have seen something in me because he welcomed us so warmly. Well, flamboyantly, actually. I still clearly remember his wild but graceful arm-flapping gestures, his diva-ish way of speaking and how he made sure to spell his name as Renee with two E’s, on his storefront. He ALSO insisted that I call him MAMA Renee and not TITA Renee. I wasn’t used to calling a guy Tita, much less Mommy, but Renee was an obvious exception. Besides, he had this mother-hen instinct which I took to like a duck to a pond. LOL!

And so all of a sudden, I found myself with two Mothers – none of them called Lily. My blood Mom and my Mama Renee co-navigated  my journey to the beauty queen life. A journey that has given me two crowns, a million friends and so much joy in life – something I thank God for almost everyday. Although there are a few regrets, I would do it all over again and again and again.

There is nothing like being a beauty queen in the Philippines!

I was the first beauty queen to arrive at the Via Mare branch in Rockwell to meet up with my ‘court of beauty queens’. Yes, I was that excited to see all three of them!!!  Bb. Pilipinas International 1985 Sabrina Artadi, Bb. Pilipinas Maja 1985 Izza Gonzales and Bb. Pilipinas Young 1985 Tina Alcala. I had no make-up on – a brave move since beauty queens are usually a bit competitive in the area of beauty. But, I wanted to be myself when I reconnected with them; not covered up in a layer of maquillage.

Still GORGEOUS!!! Bb. Pilipinas Maja 1985 Izza Gonzales, Bb. Pilipinas Universe 1985 Joyce Ann Burton and Bb. Pilipinas Young 1985 Tina Alcala...

It was the lovely Izza Gonzales who organized the meeting (through Facebook) after finding out that Tina Alcala was flying into town. Can you imagine? The last time we were all together was 25 years ago when I crowned my successor Violeta Naluz at the Bb. Pilipinas 1986 beauty pageant in Araneta Coliseum!

When Tina Alcala arrived with Izza Gonzales on her heels, we all hugged and kissed and started talking at the same time! First priority – admire each other, LOLOL! Tina was so slim – slimmer than when she won! And Izza has been able to maintain her svelte figure over the years. I was suddenly thankful that I had just lost 25 lbs in the past couple of months or else I would have looked like a whale beside the two of them.

Next on the plate – catching up on life and texting Sabrina Artadi to hurry up! Well, she never made it because she suddenly had a meeting to attend. This just means that we’ll have to set another meeting for all four of us (and our two runners-up Glenna Seighton and Rita Biazon) to be together.

So what’s up with everyone? Well, just check out my blog Adventures of a Beauty Queen and you’ll know what’s up with me…

Bb. Pilipinas Maja 1985 Izza Gonzales - today!

As for Izza Gonzales, she’s busy with her business – she supplies wedding gowns to clothing outlets. When she’s not busy with that, she’s taking care of her lawyer hubby or sweating it out in a Bikram Yoga room – something she does almost everyday! That’s why her figure hasn’t changed and her beauty still glows with youth. Believe it or not, Izza Gonzales is turning fifty this November 2011. And she is still modeling – her last project was a Billboard last Novemeber. WOW!

Bb. Pilipinas Young 1985 Tina Alcala - today!

Tina Alcala, meantime, is still the be-dimpled cutie that I met two decades and half ago! Although the baby fat is gone, the sparkle in her eye is not. She is happily re-married to a German who is now Dad to her two gorgeous daughters. They are currently based in Jakarta where the hubby works. Tina, who is taking a break from the life of a working girl, keeps herself busy by doing a lot of entertaining and partying with her friends in Indonesia!

Sabrina Artadi meantime has a food show called Sabrina’s Kitchen on Lifestyle Network! Just like Izza and Tina, she’s still drop-dead gorgeous! Aside from the food show, she designs loungewear (The Marrakesh Collection, search it on Facebook) and even sports her designs on her show! It’s really too bad Sabrina couldn’t make it to our little reunion…

…but as I said, this just means we’ll have to set another beauty queen get-together!

Bb Pilipinas 1985 Winners - L-R- 1st RU Glenna Sleighton, BP Young Tina Alcala, BP Universe Joyce Ann Burton, BP International Sabrina Artadi, BP Maja Izza Gonzales and 2nd RU Rita Biazon

We love you very much Mama Renee!

Last January 17, 2012, M Cafe found itself swarming with beauty after the women of Renee Salud decided to celebrate his Entieth Birthday there!

When I arrived, there were nearly 10 beauty queens ahead of me – Desiree Verdadero (who organized the whole affair), Gem Padilla, Lou Bunyi, Peachy Sacasas, Michelle Bautista, Maricar Mendoza, Jennifer Barrientos, Patti Betita and Tina Orleans.

Those who arrived later than me were my Bb. Pilipinas ’85 batchmate Izza Gonzales and Marina Benipayo who was accompanied by boyfriend Richard/Ricardo Cepeda – yes, the romance between the beauty queen and the Contrabida actor started on the set of Binondo Girl just about 2 months ago. They looked absolutely stunning together – both tall and striking, one dark and the other fair…   wishing the two a bright future together this 2012 and beyond!

Also in attendance, stylist Jay Lozada and a few others whose names escape me at the moment… if you recognize anyone in the photos that I did not list down, please leave a comment!

To Mama Renee Salud – Happy Birthday to you, you are such a blessing to all of us beauty queens;  the wonderful things I enjoy today are because you adopted me eons ago when I was just 14, trained me how to walk and talk, dressed me (and  gave me the occasional dressing-down too) and most importantly – turned the boyish me into the beauty queen me. I love you so very much and it blesses my heart to see you so bubbly and happy on your special day. Looking forward to more adventures with you! I love you Mama Renee Salud!

Bb Pilipinas Batch 1985 L-R : Tina Alcala (Young), Joyce Ann Burton (Universe) and Izza Gonzales (Maja)

It looks like our batch of Bb Pilipinas 1985 winners is going to make it a habit to reconnect whenever Tina Alcala, our Miss Young Philippines winner is in town. She is currently based in Indonesia where her hubby works.
Unfortunately, our fourth winner, Sabrina Artadi (International) wasn’t able to join us. She was tied up in production meetings for her cooking show. 

Izza Gonzales who recently became a GG (Golden Girl) remains busy with her clothing and bag business and stays fit thru regular Bikram Yoga Classes.          
I, on the other hand, am busy with family, voicing projects, ministry work and staying fit.
   
Our little beauty queen tete a tete happened at Sentro in Serendra and if you click here, you’ll see what I had for Lunch!       

Invitation to the Queens’ Reunion!

Helloooo ABQ Readers! Just want to share with you photos of the beauties at the Bb. Pilipinas Queens’ Reunion last March 15, 2013 at Madame Stella Marquez Araneta’s home which is fondly called the “Bahay na Puti” or the White House. There are two or three beauty queens that I failed to identify, if you recognize them please leave a comment.

According to Stella Marquez Araneta, the Queens’ Reunion is the first-ever official gathering of all past (and present) Bb. Pilipinas beauty queen title-holders over the past 50 years outside of coronation nights.

It was my first time to see Madame Stella’s sprawling mansion which is grand but simple. An elegant home with a touch of history in it. We all gathered in the entertainment hall in front of the swimming pool and then had a ‘class picture’ at the grand staircase.

Anyway, I’ve got a gazillion photos to share with you and I’ll just let them tell you the story of what happened at the Queens’ Reunion!

PS: To eagle-eyed pageant historians out there, please leave a comment if you spot any mistakes in titles, years, names, spelling, etc. I also was not able to identify three beauty queens, please help!!

Scroll down to the very bottom of this post to see our “beauty queen class photo” at the grand staircase!

Anette Liwanag and Chiqui Brosas are batchmates from 1975. Anette was Bb. Pilipinas Miss Maja and placed 4th runner-up in her international pageant. Chiqui also placed 4th runner-up in Miss Universe, the same title that Venus Raj carries.

Betsy Westendorp (lady in white jacket) painted this portrait of Madame Stella (lady in black). Beauty Queens in photo – Miss International 2005 Lara Quigaman (left) with Miriam Quiambao (Miss Universe 1st RU 1999) beside her. Far left is actress Ruffa Gutierrez (Miss World 2nd Princess 1993), next to her is Miss Universe 1969 Gloria Diaz. This portrait hangs in the formal dining hall of Madame Stella’s home.

Bb. Pilipinas International 1984 Jane Brumitt (left) with Sharon Hughes, Miss Young International 1982. Both Queens did not compete in their respective international pageants as there was none during the year of Sharon while Jane had entry problems. But Jane got sent instead to compete in the Miss Maja 1984 where she placed as a semifinalist.

Kate Manalo, Top 10 in Miss World 2002!

Current Queens (at time of photo) – Bb. Pilipinas Tourism 2012 Katrina Dimaranan (in white) and Nicole Schmitz, Top 15 Miss International 2012!

Lara Quigaman Miss International 2005! She’s a new mom and you can see the glow of it on her lovely face…

Lovely smile from Miriam Quiambao, Miss Universe 1st RU 1999…

L-R Miss International 2nd RU 1971 Evelyn Camus, former consul to Morocco Fortune Aleta Ledesma (she was a runner-up in the year of Nini Licaros 1968), Miss Young International Philippines 1982 Sharon Hughes, Miss Maja 2nd RU 1981 Izza Gonzales and ABQ author Joyce Burton Titular, Bb. Pilipinas Universe 1985

L-R Miss Maja 2nd RU 1981 Izza Gonzales, Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2002 Karen Agustin, Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2008 Jennifer Barrientos, Miss Universe Photogenic 2006 Lian Ramos, Miss World 4th RU 2003 Mafae Yunon, Madame Stella Araneta, Miss International 2005 Lara Quigaman, Miss World 2nd RU 1993 Ruffa Gutierrez and Miss Supranational 3rd RU 2012 Elaine Kay Moll.

L-R Miss International 1991 Top 15 finalist Patty Betita, Bb. Pilipinas Maja 1992 Marina Benipayo, Miss Universe 3rd RU 1984 Desiree Verdadero, Bb. Pilipinas International 1984 Jane Brumitt and Ma. Bella Nachor – Bb. Pilipinas Maja 1984!

Miss World 2003 4th RU Mafae Yunon! Sexy forevah!

The Manalo sisters – Pamela Bianca (left) and Kate! Pamela won Bb. Pilipinas Universe in 2009 while Kate was a semifinalist in Miss World 2002!

Bb. Pilipinas International 2001 Maricarl Tolosa (left) and Karen Agustin, 2002 Bb. Pilipinas Universe…

My dream photo! Here I am (in the white and green dress) with our most recent Miss Universe winners Shamcey Supsup (left, 3rd RU Miss Universe 2011), Venus Raj (Miss Universe 4th RU 2010) and Janine Tugonon (right, Miss Universe 1st RU 2012). Happiness!

Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2009 Pamela Bianca Manalo is dear to my heart because we share the same title and my blog ABQ began during her year!

One of my favorite-ever Bb. Pilipinas International winners, Peachy Sacasas! She placed in the Top 15 of Miss International in 1981, the same year I won Miss Young Philippines. We also happen to be church-mates at Union Church of Manila!

I LOVE THESE QUEENS! Miss Young International Philippines 1982 Sharon Hughes (left) with my batch mate Miss Maja 2nd RU 1981 Izza Gonzales!

Warm hug between Queen of Queens Madame Stella (left) and actress Ruffa Gutierrez who did the country proud when she won 2nd RU in Miss World 1993!

L-R Former Consul to Morocco Fortune Aleta Ledesma, Miss Young International Philippines 1982 Sharon Hughes, then Miss Maja 2nd RU 1981 Izza Gonzales, and Miss World 4th RU 2003 Mafae Yunon (far right)

A beautiful grin from Ana Igpit, Bb. Pilipinas World 2006!

L-R Artist Betsy Westendorp (she is often a judge at Bb. Pilipinas and is the bff of Madame Stella), Miss Universe Photogenic 1971 Vida Doria and Madame Stella Marquez Araneta…

Miss Universe 3rd RU 1984 Desiree Verdadero (top), Bb. Pilipinas International 1984 Jane Brumitt (left) and in the foreground – Ma. Bella Nachor – Bb. Pilipinas Maja 1984…

Bb. Pilipinas Tourism 1993 Jeanette Fernando (left) with ABQ author Joyce Burton Titular…

L-R – Two Bb. Pilipinas Universe winners: Jennifer Barrientos (2008) and Lian Ramos (2006, Miss Universe Photogenic winner)

Just look at these beautiful smiles from the Philippines! L-R Miss International 2005 Lara Quigaman, Bb. Pilipinas Tourism 2011 Isabella Manjon, Bb. Pilipinas World 2010 Czarina Gatbonton, Miss International Top 15 in 2011 Dianne Necio and Danielle Castano Bb. Pilipinas World 2008!

Karla Bautista, 4th RU Miss World 2004!

Miss World 4th RU 2003 Mafae Yunon (left) with Bb. Pilipinas 2002 Karen Agustin and Miss International 2005 Lara Quigaman (right)…

Bb. Pilipinas International 2001 Maricarl Tolosa (left) with Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2002 Karen Agustin…

Bb. Pilipinas International 2001 Maricarl Tolosa lookin’ atcha!

Bb. Pilipinas Maja 1992 Marina Benipayo taking a photo of me taking a photo of her!

Our 1st-ever Miss Universe Gloria Diaz (1969) speaks to the beauty queen crowd. Behind her L-R are Shamcey Supsup (Miss Universe 3rd RU 2011), Janine Tugonon (Miss Universe 1st RU 2012 and Venus Raj (Miss Universe 4th RU 2010). When will the Philippines ever grab that elusive Miss Universe 2nd runner-up title? aahahaahaha!

Miss International Top 15 in 2008, Patricia Fernandez!

Actress (and Miss World 2nd RU 1993 Ruffa Gutierrez (left) with ABQ author Joyce Burton Titular. We actually shot a movie together – “Binibini ng Aking Panaginip” (I was contrabida, Ruffa was lead) together with basketball player Jayvee Gayoso. Did I get his name right?

Madame Stella Araneta Marquez, the beauty and brains behind the highly successful Bb. Pilipinas franchise greets the beauty queens. Behind her L-R are Shamcey Supsup (Miss Universe 3rd RU 2011), Janine Tugonon (Miss Universe 1st RU 2012 and Venus Raj (Miss Universe 4th RU 2010).

Class Photo of the Bb. Pilipinas Queens Reunion 2013 courtesy of Felix Manuel

If you were there backstage at the start of the Bb. Pilipinas Gold 2013 beauty pageant, then you would have heard some 85 beauty queens whooping for joy! When the music started playing, we all started shouting and screaming even. The contestants, who were behind us, also began to shout (out of nervousness and excitement) as well. It was a beautiful moment to be with all my beauty queen sisters, watching the monitors backstage, hearing the audience roaring and clapping and thumping their feet. Then before I knew it, it was my turn to climb the stairs up onto the Bb. Pilipinas stage!

It was a memorable event that I will never EVER forget!

Once again, help me identify the Queens I am not familiar with or can’t see too well…

Recent Queens… can you name them all?

Queens from the 90s – There’s Daisy Reyes at the far left, beside her is Alma Concepcion… Karen Agustin and Gladys Dueñas … then Jewel Lobaton and Abbygale Arenas…

Queens from the 80s L-R Selina Manalad, two beauty queens that can’t bee seen, Tina Alcala, Me in gold, Izza Gonzales in Peach, Gem Padilla in yellow and Sarah Jane Paez in Purple…

Beauty Queens from the 80s and 90s – L-R – Selina Manalad, Patty Betita, Bella Nachor, Desiree Verdadero, Engr. Muriel Moral, Alice Dixson, Joanne Alivio and Jane Brumitt

Queens from the 70s and 80s – L-R – Peachy Sacasas, Erlynne Bernardez, Chiqui Brosas, Dang Cecilio, Sharon Hughes, Jean Saburit and Anette Liwanag…

Queens from the 60s and 70s – L-R Simonette delos Reyes, Vida Doria, Pilar Pilapil, Nini Licaros, Carmencita Avecilla and Evelyn Camus

And the first Queen to rule them all! Gloria Diaz!!! Being serenaded by Martin Nievera…

The Tableau of Queens at the Queens’ Parade, April 14, 2013 – Bb. Pilipinas Gold at Araneta Coliseum!

Card from BPCI… it’s my honor to be part of the Bb. Pilipinas Gold 2013!

Lovely little gift from BPCI – a gold ribbon brooch…

Bb Pilipinas Batch 1985 L-R : Tina Alcala (Young), Joyce Ann Burton (Universe) and Izza Gonzales (Maja)

It looks like our batch of Bb Pilipinas 1985 winners is going to make it a habit to reconnect whenever Tina Alcala, our Miss Young Philippines winner is in town. She is currently based in Indonesia where her hubby works.
Unfortunately, our fourth winner, Sabrina Artadi (International) wasn’t able to join us. She was tied up in production meetings for her cooking show. 

Izza Gonzales who recently became a GG (Golden Girl) remains busy with her clothing and bag business and stays fit thru regular Bikram Yoga Classes.          
I, on the other hand, am busy with family, voicing projects, ministry work and staying fit.
   
Our little beauty queen tete a tete happened at Sentro in Serendra and if you click here, you’ll see what I had for Lunch!