Precious Lara Quigaman

Template:Pageant titleholder bio Precious Lara San Agustin Quigaman (January 3, 1983, Taguig, Philippines) is a model, host, freelance web page writer, and former beauty queen who won the 2005 Miss International beauty pageant held in Tokyo, Japan. She is the fourth Filipina to have won the crown, after Gemma Cruz in 1964, Aurora Pijuan in 1970, and Melanie Marquez in 1979. She was also the Binibining Pilipinas International title holder for 2005.

Biography

Based in Bristol, United Kingdom, Quigaman is the eldest of four children of the late Nelson Quigaman of Ligao City in the province of Albay and Princesita San Agustin, a registered nurse. She grew up in Biñan, Laguna, and eventually Bahrain, where her father worked. After five years, she returned to Biñan and finished high school at La Consolacion College. Before moving to Bahrain she studied for two years at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila. In England, she attended Filton College, where she studied Media Production and Communication. She also pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Childhood and Youth Studies at Bristol University.

In 2008, Quigaman became Nestle Philippines' Laki sa Gatas advocate for Bear Brand Milk. She joined the product's other endorsers, Batangas Governor and actress Vilma Santos, Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno, University of the Philippines Professor Jose Wendell Capili and actress Eugene Domingo.

Lara Quigaman and her two beauty queen friends; Karen Loren Agustin ( Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2002) and Denille Lou Valena Valmonte ( Bb. Pilipinas 2006) organized a new national beauty pageant called the Turismo Pilipina, this pageant aims to promote the tourism industry of the Philippines. The finals of the first ever Turismo Pilipina 2008 was held on November 14 at AFP Theater.

Filmography

Television

Year	Title	Role	Network
2009	Lovers in Paris	Donna	ABS-CBN
2009	Precious Heart Romances Presents: The Bud Brothers	Sabel	ABS-CBN
2009	May Bukas Pa	Selda	ABS-CBN
2008	Dyosa	Gorga	ABS-CBN
2008	Maalaala Mo Kaya: "Kandila"	Laila	ABS-CBN
2008	Kung Fu Kids	Shen Li Liang (The Golden Statue)	ABS-CBN
2007	That's My Doc	Greta	ABS-CBN
2007	Princess Sarah	Sarah's mother (cameo role)	ABS-CBN
2007	Your Song: "Salamat"		ABS-CBN
2007	Wowowee	co-host	ABS-CBN
2007	Magpakailanman: "The Precious Lara Quigaman Story"	Herself	GMA 7
2007	Ang Mahiwagang Baul: "Alamat ng Lansones"		GMA 7
2006	Aalog-Alog: "Mahal"	Guest	ABS-CBN
2006	Maalaala Mo Kaya: "Diary"	Dalene	ABS-CBN
2006	Love Spell: "Click na Click"		ABS-CBN
2006	Encantadia: Pag-ibig Hanggang Wakas		GMA 7

Movies

• Kapag Tumibok ang Puso (Not once but Twice) (2006) (As Sarah)
• Umaaraw, Umuulan

Endorsements

• Centrum (2005-2006)
• Dermaline (2007-2008)
• Diana Stalder (2007-2008)
• Outland (2006-2008)
• David’s Salon (2005-2006)
• David’s Spa (2005-2006)
• Carmeltown (2006-2007)
• Gateway Mall (2005-2006)
• Calayan Surgicenter Incorporated (2008-2009)
• Whoops Clothing (2008-2009)
• Bear Brand Milk (2008)

Covergirl

• Local: Metro, People, Mirror, Exude, Mod, Woman's Journal (2x), Health Today, OFW Mag and Image Magazine, Woman Today
• International: Play (USA, Europe), BF (Japan)

Awards and Achievements

• People Asia Magazine: People of the Year- 2005
• Presidential Order of Lakandula: Champion for Life (Alongside Manny Pacquiao given by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo).
• Nominee for 23rd PMPC Star Awards for Movie. New Actress Award 2007

Controversy

NANNY QUESTION

In late 2005, the purported content of Quigaman's Miss International speech was posted and spread as a miniature Internet phenomenon. There’s an unverified rumor that Precious Lara Quigaman, the Miss Philippines who took home the 2005 Miss International crown, was asked during the final round the following question:

What do you say to the people of the world who have typecasted filipinos as nannies?Precious Lara was claimed to have replied, “I take no offense on being typecasted as a nanny. But i do take offense that the educated people of the world have somehow denigrated the true sense and meaning of what a nanny is.”Quigaman was further quoted as saying: “Let me tell you what she is. She is someone who gives more than she takes. She is someone you trust to look after the very people most precious to you - your child, the elderly, yourself. She is the one who has made a living out of caring and loving other people.” Precious was said to have closed the nanny speech with, “So to those who have typecasted us as nannies, thank you. It is a testament to the loving and caring culture of the Filipino people. And for that, I am forever proud and grateful of my roots and culture.”

Apparently, there is no interview portion in Miss International, so this seems to be a hoax. This has been roundly denied by Quigaman, who, though admiring the speech, noted that it could not have fit within the time constraints imposed by the contest. Her own speech, in response to the question, "What will you do if you become Miss International 2005?" concerned child education, deviating from her original intention of speaking on terrorism and poverty. Regardless, that is a winning answer for anyone who tries to downplay the Filipino! The Precious Quigaman answer is bound to be an urban legend for years to come.

THREAT TO BE DETHRONED

During the media launch of her endorsement of Centrum vitamins, Quigaman stated that she once had to threaten to step down from her Binibining Pilipinas title rather than endorse an alcoholic beverage to which a BP rep had committed her.

FIRED FROM A NOONTIME SHOW

A story was bannered in a major broadsheet that Precious Lara Quigaman was “fired” from or “eased out” out of Wowowee because she violated certain rules, including one that frowns on hosts bringing their boyfriend/girlfriend to work.

Lara was pulled out from Wowowee on May 15, followed by rumors that started spreading on the Internet, in local tabloids and even in the much-read broadsheets.

Here’s Lara (with the help of her manager Rowell Octavio) answering the issues point by point:

• There was no written rule or even a rule at all about bringing a boyfriend or a companion to Hawaii. I asked one of the staff of Wowowee before leaving if they were indeed not allowed to bring anyone along. The staff told me that it was okay as long as it will not affect my work and as long as we just won’t be seen until after the show’s activities. My mother and my boyfriend accompanied me to Hawaii to celebrate mother's day, contrary to false information that it was only my boyfriend who was there. We were never seen until the day we were to leave for the airport to the Philippines. They did not even watch the show at Aloha stadium. They did not accompany me to the rehearsals, presscons, radio and TV tours as instructed by my manager. I never missed a rehearsal, meeting, press-con or any activity in Hawaii. I was never late or in a hurry to leave rehearsals or go back to the hotel. I did what I had to do.

• My mother and my boyfriend paid for their own airfare, arranged their travel papers on their own. The production was never involved with their travel arrangements in any way. The artists, specifically the co-hosts, were not given plus ones. It’s up to them if they want to bring a companion, as long as they pay for their own expenses.

• I never declared this statement: “You can cancel my ticket if you want to!” (kung hindi puede isama ang boyfriend). It is not in my character or personality to say these words.

• My boyfriend has never been seen in the studio, has never watched an episode of Wowowee live, has never loitered inside the dressing room. (Note: Reporter Ricky Lo misquoted his source who later clarified that Lara’s boyfriend would only drive Lara to and from the studio and never set foot in the dressing room.) My boyfriend has his own schedule every day and is only taking the chance to fetch me in between his scheduled meetings. Guards are stationed at the doors of the dressing rooms and no males are allowed to go in. Not even my little brother was allowed to stay inside.

• I was never in a hurry to leave rehearsals or work except when I have to leave AFTER WORK to run to another commitment.

• On my rumored “attitude” and “pagmamaldita”:

In That's My Doc – about the do’s and don’t’s. Watch the show and find out for yourself if it is true that I don’t let the leading man, kiss, hold my hand or hug me. The production staff and the executive producer of the show Mark Gile can confirm that I am always punctual and cooperative, and that I never complain, as I always am with my other commitments, guestings and projects.

Regarding the Binibining Pilipinas “issue,” the “headache” I gave the Bb. Pilipinas people may be the way I exercise my right to refuse an offer to pose for an alcoholic beverage calendar/poster which they had committed to without my consent or knowledge.

Up to date, the Wowowee people are still unsure of the exact reasons why she was pulled out of the show. The only explanation staff can give is that she broke the rule that no companions were allowed to accompany artists. Which was clarified by Boy Abunda at showbiz talkshow The Buzz that it is not a company rule of ABS CBN but every show has its own house rule. It is known to all that Wowowee show is under the control of its main host Willie Revillame whom rumors say that has big admiration with the former Miss International.

External links

• http://www.mydivadoll.com/?p=fiche&pseudo=laraquigaman