Miriam Quiambao

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Miriam Quiambao is a television personality and a former beauty queen from the Philippines.

Born to Magdalena and Medgardo Quiambao in Quezon City on May 20, 1975, she is the first of two children. She attended the School of the Holy Spirit during her elementary and high school years and went for her collegiate studies at the University of Santo Tomas where she obtained her degree in physical therapy. She is also a licensed Physical Therapist for the state of Indiana in the United States. Before her Binibining Pilipinas stint, Miriam had a thriving career as a therapist for St. Luke's Hospital in Manila. Also, she worked as an instructor for a local gym.

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[edit] Binibining Pilipinas

In 1999, Quiambao joined the Binibining Pilipinas (Miss Philippines) pageant. She received several awards, including Miss Photogenic, but in the end managed to capture the Binibining Pilipinas-World title.

However, controversy soon erupted when the Binibining Pilipinas-Universe titleholder Janelle Bautista was dethroned due to questionable citizenship.

Quiambao was then asked to take over the title and be the Philippine representative to the 1999 Miss Universe pageant to be held that year in Trinidad and Tobago. Binibining Pilipinas-International Lalaine Edson took over Miriam's previous title.

[edit] Miss Universe 1999

Before arriving at the host country, Quiambao trained in Venezuela under the guidance of Osmel Sousa for a week.

Miriam was one of the strongest and most visible contenders for the crown. She consistently placed second during the pageant's preliminaries and bested a composite score of 9.52, just trailing behind the score of Sonia Raciti, the South African candidate. At the semifinals, she once again placed second overall in the swimsuit and evening gown competitions, racking up scores as high as 9.32 and 9.42 respectively. It was Spain's candidate, Diana Nogueira that dominated the semifinals with a marginal lead over Quiambao of 9.33 for the swimsuit event and 9.45 for the evening gown competition.

[edit] The Fall

During the preliminary round of the evening gown competition, Quiambao slipped and fell on stage. As she walked, the heel of one of her stilettos got caught in her dress and she fell flat on her bottom with her hands anchored on the floor. Despite this incident, she collected herself and finished her walk. At the finals, Quiambao referred to the incident during an interview portion. This prompted the color commentators to cite Quiambao as using her fall as an advantage.

[edit] Final Results

Fortunately, Quiambao did extremely well at the pageant. Early at the competition she received the Clairol Herbal Essences Style Award, the only Asian candidate at the pageant to do so. She was called as one of the final three delegates, alongside Misses Botswana and Spain. Quiambao faltered during the final question, which tackled the debate of whether a Miss Universe should continue her reign even if she gets pregnant. Spain's Diana Nogueira placed as 2nd Runner-Up. It all came down to Philippines' Quiambao and Botswana's Mpule Kwelagobe, and in the end, Quiambao placed as 1st Runner-Up, with Kwelagobe winning the Miss Universe title.

Miriam's placement is the highest since Margarita Moran won the coveted title back in 1973.

[edit] After Miss Universe

After her triumphant stint at the pageant, Miriam began a new career working as a TV Host/Correspondent for GMA Network back in the Philippines. In December 1999, she co-hosted "Unang Hirit" with Arnold Clavio, Lyn Ching, Suzi Entrata, Micky Ferriols and Ryan Agoncillio. Miriam hosted a lifestyle segment of the show called "Istayl".

Miriam then joined Paolo Bediones on hosting the show "Extra Extra!". The show eventually evolved into a reality program called "Extra Challenge". She eventually left the show in 2004.

In December 2004, she got married to Italian businessman Claudio Rondinelli. The couple eventually moved to Hong Kong, China where her husband ran several restaurant businesses. While in Hong Kong, Miriam worked part-time as a yoga instructor for two and a half years.

The marriage eventually fell apart and Quiambao went back to her native country in 2006. She resumed her TV hosting career, working alongside again with Paolo Bediones, this time presenting a travel show, "Pinoy Meets World".

She also co-host for the show "Palaban" on GMA 7 with Winnie Monsod and Malou Mangahas tackling current events, socio-economic and political issues in the Philippines in 2007. Also, she is host for QTV 11's "Dahil Sa Iyong Paglisan", a made for TV show highlighting the experiences, trials and success of Overseas Filipino Workers.

In the first year anniversary of "100% Pinoy", Miriam was one of the new host together with Joaquin Valdez.

[edit] Other Notable Credits and Appearances

  • Kakasa Ka Ba Sa Grade 5?; celebrity player
  • Olay Total Effects, Mister Donut, Cream Silk, and Lactacyd TV advertisements.
  • "Magpakailanman" on GMA 7; acting role as "Nelia Sancho"
  • "Matakot Ka Sa Karma" (2006); a cameo role as a Socialite; directed by Jose Javier Reyes
  • "Walang Kapalit" (2003); acting role as "Celine"; directed by Joel Lamangan
  • Various TV program appearances on GMA 7 and QTV 11 shows
  • Various hosting stints for corporate events
  • Advocate of various charitable organizations
  • Actively participant in fashion shows and modelling gigs
  • Frequent cover girl for various magazines, often the subject of editorials as well
  • Worldvision advocate

[edit] Awards

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  • Most Outstanding Bicolana Award, Ibalong 1999
  • Most Outstanding Alumna Award, UST 1999
  • Millennium Men and Women Award, Evian 1999

[edit] TV Shows

  • Extra Challenge (GMA 7)
  • Unang Hirit (GMA 7)
  • Magpakailanman (GMA 7)
  • Sapulso (QTV 11)
  • Dahil Sa Iyong Pag-lisan (QTV 11)
  • Pinoy Meets World (GMA 7)
  • Palaban (GMA 7)

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Binibining Pilipinas titleholders (1999)
Universe
Miriam Quiambao		 World
Lalaine Edson		 International
Georgina Ann Sandico
Preceded by
Janelle Bautista

(original winner, dethroned)

 Binibining Pilipinas-Universe
1999		 Succeeded by
Nina Ricci Alagao