Manila rolls out red carpet for Precious

The newly crowned Miss International, Precious Lara Quigaman, arrived yesterday to a shower of confetti as Metro Manila welcomed the victorious beauty queen.

Photographers and cameramen elbowed and shoved each other as the Philippines' first Miss International in 26 years appeared at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila.

"I did not expect to be given such a grand reception," the 22-year-old fashion model from the province of Laguna said at the airport while on the verge of crying.

After spending a few minutes with her family, a motorcade took her to the Malacañang palace for the traditional courtesy call to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

"We're so proud of you," Arroyo told Quigaman. The two spent few minutes in conversation as photographers took shots.

In a statement released by the palace last week immediately after the crowning ceremonies in Japan's capital last week, Arroyo congratulated Quigaman for winning the coveted beauty title for the country.

"On behalf of all Filipinos, I congratulate Precious Lara Quigaman for winning the Miss International title. She joins a long list of Filipinas who have brought our country honour and prestige, not only for their beauty, but also for their intelligence, charm and grace. May she serve as a responsible role model for young women in our country," said the President.

Later in the afternoon Quigaman was taken in a motorcade through Makati City and to Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.

The new Miss International expressed her desire to enter show business later on.

Quigaman was one of the favourite candidates in the pageant. Contest observers foresaw that she would win the title.

Quigaman was the fourth Filipina who won the Miss International title in 40 years. The other winners were Gemma Cruz who won the title in 1964, Aurora Pijuan, 1970, and Melanie Marquez, 1979.

ROLE MODEL
A graduate in Communications

Precious Lara Quigaman, who bested 52 other delegates for the prestigious international title, is the daughter of Princesita Quigaman, a registered nurse who works in Bristol, United Kingdom and Nelson, who died in May in a car accident.

She graduated with a degree in Media Production and Communications at Filton College in Bristol. She also took a Bachelor of Arts in Childhood and Youth Studies at Bristol University.