Precious Lara Quigaman shares health update, offers advice to aspiring Binibinis

MANILA, Philippines, March 30 ------ Former Miss International Precious Lara Quigaman expressed excitement over her return to the Binibining Pilipinas stage after a few years of living away from the country.

She has been based in Canada with her husband, actor Marco Alcaraz, and their three boys. “I’m very much feeling my age,” she quipped during an interview with The STAR following the announcement of the official 36 candidates for this year’s edition of the longest-running national pageant.

The latest batch was evaluated and selected by a panel that was headed by Precious Lara, alongside members of the Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI) executive committee and reigning Binibining Pilipinas queens. “No, I’m really so happy to be back. It’s been, I think, three years since my last Binibining Pilipinas, and it’s really good to be back. We have a really good batch of ladies this year. I don’t know if you were here (during the screening), but they’re so articulate, they’re all so smart. I’m so proud of them,” she said.

Although her recent visit to the country was brief, Precious Lara said she intends to return for the coronation night. Asked what she was looking for in a candidate, she stressed how beyond beauty, she values a candidate’s purpose and story coming into the competition. “You know what I told them? Because everyone’s obviously beautiful, right? We know that every girl is beautiful. But I told them I really wanted to see and hear their ‘why’ — why they are joining Binibining Pilipinas. So we really listened to their stories of why they’re here and why they wanted to join. That was that. For me, more than obviously being beautiful, it’s also their story,” she explained.

As for the qualities she hopes to see in the next winner, Precious Lara wants her to possess character and integrity. “The girl who embodies Binibining Pilipinas. You know, someone who is very helpful to their fellow women. And obviously, we want a Binibini who is really smart and full of integrity,” she said.

Asked about the Philippines’ chances in international pageants, particularly Miss International, and the so-called “secret” to bringing home the crown or title, she stressed that there is no secret formula. “There’s no secret naman. Every year, naman, like last year, Myrna (Esguerra) was so close, ‘di ba? She really did so well. And I think it’s just really… if it’s really God’s will for you, ‘di ba? Because we know that our Binibinis really give it their all. They really do everything that they can to win the pageant. So if it’s really for them, it’s gonna be for them, there’s no secret. But of course, kailangan ng mga girls ang mga prayers natin and support,” she said.

For this year’s batch, her advice is simple: stay authentic and enjoy the journey. “So I had a chance to talk to them during the screening. Just enjoy it, give it your all, and just be yourself — be your real self,” she said.

Source: philstar.com