Philippines is becoming a beauty powerhouse in international pageants after it recently snagged both Miss Earth and Miss Universe crowns this year alone.
Angelia Gabrena Ong bagged Miss Earth and Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach was hailed as Miss Universe. The Philippines' representatives also placed in the Top 10 in Miss World and Miss International.
The Philippines has become a threat for most contestants in the past recent years. Below are the five reasons behind the success of Philippines beauty queens in the Big Four pageants.
1. Beautiful Faces - The women or "Filipinas" have an exotic beauty making them more attractive. The beauty is thanks to the fact that the Philippines is a melting pot of various cultures. Moreover, the country's Spanish, English, Japanese, Chinese, and Malay roots yield to great looks.
2. English Fluency - Almost every Filipino is fluent in the English language, which is an advantage in an international competition. Due to America's colonization, English is being taught since kindergarten.
3. Filipino Culture - Beauty pageant is embedded in the Filipino culture as local pageants are regularly held throughout the country. Also, a national competition is being held annually to crown the most beautiful ladies in the country.
4. Pageant Training or Beauty Camps - Most beauty queens enter "beauty camps," which is actually a boot camp for beauty queens. Mentors and former beauty queens train and give advice to newbies. Candidates must train for at least six months before the competition.
5. National Selection - Philippines select their representatives through a national beauty pageant dubbed as "Binibining Pilipinas". The top 3 winners will represent the country to Miss International, Miss World, and Miss Universe. A separate national competition is being held to select Miss Earth.