The Miss International pageant is one of the few remaining international competitions that awards their winners with a cash prize, sash, trophy, glass plaque, and a gold and pearl Miss International tiara.
So let’s find out what ever happened to Miss International 2005 Precious Lara Quigaman’s crown and sash?
BINIBINING PILIPINAS INTERNATIONAL 2005
Among the Binibining Pilipinas batches in the 2000’s, the 2005 batch is considered the most successful. This is owing to the fact that Lara Quigaman was able to bring home the MI title after 33 years since Melanie Marquez won in 1979.
Unfortunately for Lara, she wasn’t able to keep her Binibining Pilipinas crown as it is passed on to the next winner of the title. According to a Binibining Pilipinas Charities Incorporated (BPCI) official, the old crowns are kept in a vault-storage. The red Cumbia gown that Lara wore during the Binibining Pilipinas finals was also kept by the BPCI. A framed picture of hers is displayed in the BPCI offices together with other notable former BBP titleholders.
Lara was able to keep her Binibining Pilipinas – International sash which she keeps in a tightly sealed zip-locked bag with her other Miss international prizes.
MISS INTERNATIONAL 2005
Lara was able to keep most of her Miss International prizes. In an interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer, she said that she was able to hold on to her MI sash, glass plaque, trophy and framed picture. The MI plaque and trophy are in her home displayed in her room. Her original MI sash was however kept in an air-tight bag as it got stained and damaged. When her sash got stained and had it washed, the gold trim bled damaging the sash. Lara said that the sash got worn almost daily as she had used it during the entire duration of her reign. She had a replica of the Miss International sash made when the original could no longer be used.
The original Miss International Estelle Esme crown was kept by the Miss International organization. She nevertheless was awarded a smaller Miss International tiara. She also further detailed that the tiara came in a pink box lined with satin cushion.
OF CROWNS AND REPLICAS
Speaking of crowns and tiaras, Lara is one of the very few Miss International winners who was allowed to wear the original Miss International crown outside of Japan. The original Estelle Asme pearl and gold crown was flown in from Tokyo for Lara’s victory parade. It is rumored that this distinction is only given to the MI winners whom the pageant organizers truly likes. The BPCI is said to have adjusted Lara’s homecoming parade as to wait for the original crown to arrive in Manila. Rumor also has it that Lara possesses a replica of the original Miss International crown, which in turn was used during much of Bea Rose Santiago’s public appearances in 2013.
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