COVER STORY: GWENDOLINE RUAIS

MISS WORLD FIRST PRINCESS 2011
by Raphael Porciuncula


Suddenly, pageant fans from the Philippines went agog when Miss World Philippines Gwendoline Ruais snatched the First Princess crown in the recently concluded Miss World 2011. She placed second to eventual winner Miss Venezuela – Ivian Sarcos.

Gwendoline’s ascent to the beauty scene started with the modelling world – what with her towering height of almost 6 feet and her slender physique that glides like a gazelle in the wilderness. She was one of the representatives of the country in 2010 Asian Supermodel Contest where she romped off with the Best in Catwalk Award. Although Mariana del Rio another Philippine representative ended up 2nd runner-up in the competition, Gwendoline’s presence was not completely ignored by the judges. She made her existence felt by the catwalk award.

Although Gwen was doing well in the runway, she took a leap and joined the Binibining Pilipinas 2010 where she made it to the Top 10. Although it was very obvious that she did well in the Question and Answer portion, Gwen was not the clear favourite that evening as it was a very competitive batch. At the early part of the pageant, Gwen is being touted to become Bb. Pilipinas-World. But alas, another girl was crowned that night. After the Binibining Pilipinas pageant, Gwen was left with three choices – to continue her modelling career, join next year’s Binibini Pageant or join another national pageant like Miss Philippines-Earth. At that point in time there were loud whispers that the franchise of Miss World for the Philippines will be given to another organization and that Binibining Pilipinas will relinquish the franchise. As the whisper becomes louder and became a reality, the Miss World Philippine franchise was awarded to Ms. Cory Quirino a well-known socialite in the country.

The change in the franchise holder might have been providential for Gwen. She was crowned as the first Miss World Philippines under the stewardship of Ms. Cory Quirino. What is admirable with Gwen is that we never heard any feedbacks from her regarding vociferous and even slanderous remarks about her winning the pageant. Brickbats concerning her looks, figure and even her communication skills surfaced and had been below the belt. But the new Miss World Philippines kept her cool and silent demeanour. She showed what is really to be a queen.

Top picture from left: Gwendoline during the Asian Supermodel contest where she bagged the Best in Catwalk award; right: During the Bb. Pilipins 2010 pageant. Bottom picture: During the Miss World Philippines 2011 pageant where she won the crown

There is a palpable hope that Gwendoline’s participation in the Miss World 2011 will give positive results. She was named a finalist in 3 Fast track events – the Beach Beauty Competition, Top Model Competition and Beauty with a Purpose Competition. Going into the Top 20, Gwendoline ranked number 3 after Puerto Rico and Venezuela.

Top picture left: Gwen at the Beach Beauty competition; right: Gwen at the Top Model competition. Bottom picture: Gwen together with the initial Top 10 for the Beauty with a Purpose award.

No Filipina has won in the pageant’s history of 60 years. With Gwendoline’s feat, she equalled the placement of Miss Evangeline Pascual who almost made it as Miss World in 1973. Other runner-up winners of the elusive crown were actress-talk show host Ruffa Gutierrez who placed third in 1993. It must be noted that Cecilia Amabuyok was fifth place in 1968. Noteworthy also were the performances of Maria Rafaela Yunon in 2003 and Karla Bautista in 2004 who both ended up in the Top 5.

Gwendoline by the way is half-French (paternal side) and half-Filipina (maternal side), was born in Makati City, moved to Thailand when she was two years old, to France when she was five years old and back to the Philippines when she was 11. She holds a “Business Management degree (Honours Program) from Southville Foreign University major in Marketing.

Photo Credits: Bb. Pilipinas Charities, Inc., Miss World Philippines,  Miss World Organization