Pushing for Pinoy pride

Former Miss World 2nd Runner Up Ruffa Gutierrez believes the Philippines’ representative to this year’s Miss Universe pageant MJ Lastimosa has what it takes to bring home the crown.

“I think she’s well-prepared, she’s been in pageants several times already,” Ruffa said when asked of MJ’s chances at the 63rd edition of the prestigious beauty tilt, which airs locally today.

MJ LASTIMOSA in her evening gown

(Photo from Miss Universe website)

“We’re all here to support her,” Ruffa added. “Hopefully she’ll be our first Miss Universe (in years).”

The last time the country had a Miss Universe was in 1973, with Margie Moran bagging the crown some four years after our first, Gloria Diaz.

MJ put on a show at the pageant’s preliminary competition, showing fine form in her swimsuit and evening gowns. There was a bit of grumbling, however, concerning her national costume.

Ruffa admitted she wasn’t able to see the dress designed by Colombian Alfredo Barraza. In her opinion, the gown worn by our representative should have been created by a Filipino couturier.

“Nakikita naman natin na ang huhusay ng mga Pinoy (sa ganung larangan), ba’t ayaw nating ipakita ang kahusayan ng mga Pinoy? Dapat isuot nila (international pageant representatives) ’yung Pinoy na gawa na damit, kasi magagaling tayo eh,” she said.

Ruffa added, “Sayang naman ’yung chance na maipakita natin ’yung mga mahuhusay nating mga designers kung hindi nila pinaparada ’yung sarili nating craft at sarili nating national costumes.”

She recalled that when she competed in the Miss World pageant, she “took a stand” and asked for the legendary “Mang Ben” Farrales, touted as the Dean of Philippine Fashion, to create her national costume.

“It was Sarimanok, nakita mo Pinoy na Pinoy talaga,” she related.

Ruffa cited designer Monique Lhuillier – who even did an outfit for US First Lady Michelle Obama – as well as some Dubai and Cebu-based Filipino outfitters among those that could have been tasked to dress up our beauty queens.

GROWING OLD ‘GRACEFULLY’

RUFFA GUTIERREZ

The mother of two is still stunning and isn’t shy admitting she’s received numerous compliments for it. She shared, “Ang dami kong nakukuhang mga messages na, ‘Ay, hindi ka mukhang nanay.’ Sabi ko, ‘Bakit kailangan ba losyang ang nanay?’”

She noted Victoria’s Secret Angels Adriana Lima and Heidi Klum, who both “have so many children, and yet they still look good,” as great examples.

Ruffa maintained, “Now it’s not about age. Age is just a number.”

The former beauty queen admitted putting herself up to the task of aging “gracefully.”

“Hindi ko naman sinabing mag-mini skirt tayo araw-araw at magwala-wala, but I think we have to also take care of ourselves, no matter what age,” she explained.

She stressed that she does it for her own well-being and “not for anyone else.”

“Why would you wanna look old, fat, ugly and wrinkled? We have to take care naman of ourselves. Kung kaya naman natin, ng kapasidad natin, alagaan natin ’yung sarili natin, because of ourselves. This is what God gave us, and God told us to take care of ourselves,” Ruffa said.

Aiding Ruffa in her journey to achieving a youthful aura is Bargn’s Cosmo Skin Premium Collagen.

She said, “We all need collagen as we get older… kasi siyempre the older we get, nalu-lose na natin ’yung collagen.”

Another good thing about the product, according to Ruffa is that it “works the natural way.”

“If you feel na medyo exposed na ’yung skin mo sa sun or nafi-feel mo na medyo wrinkled ka na, hindi ka fresh tignan, medyo haggard ka na, kahit anong concealer ilagay mo may eyebags ka pa rin… more of it comes from within talaga.” (With report from Jojo P. Panaligan)

Pushing for Pinoy pride

Source: Mb.com.ph (January 26, 2015 at 12:05AM)

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