Critical Beauty pays homage to Gemma Cruz, Miss International 1964 from the Philippines. Why Gemma?
Because she celebrates her fortieth coronation anniversary this year (August) and she exemplifies what
some of us would call a brainy and beautiful woman. These days, so-called intellectual and
articulate beauty queens come in a dime a dozen, but in Gemma's time, it was rare for a beauty
queen to speak her own mind much less stand up for what she believes. Gemma's background
is not easy to ignore: she is a paternal great-grandniece of José Rizal, the Philippine national hero
who was executed by the Spaniards in 1896. Her maternal grandmother, Filomena Francisco,
had the distinction of being the country's first female pharmacist. Gemma's mother herself,
Carmen Guerrero Nakpil, is an illustrious writer in her own right.
After her reign, Gemma became a political and conservation activist and continued with
her writing. To this date, she has authored six books that include a romantic novel called
"Sentimiento" and beauty and fashion guide for the Filipino woman. She has contributed
many articles to different newspapers. From 1999 to 2001, she became her country's secretary
of tourism and remains active in political and conservation circles.
The idea of paying a tribute to Gemma Cruz was inspired by my good friend, Han Shin,
the author of "Beauty With a Purpose: A Spiritual Odyssey." A few years ago, Han had been
researching on Philippine beauties when he stumbled upon a rare book in a California public library.
The book contained articles written about Gemma as well as many black and white photos from her
pageant experience. For the purpose of brevity, I have selected four articles: two by Associated
Press which recount Gemma's victory, one by Cristina Pantoja which describes Gemma's
character and personality, and a more lengthy one by Quijano de Manila that narrates
Gemma's adventures before and after winning the Miss International crown. - RRD
REGAL AIR EARNS NOD OF JUDGES
A girl who has everything - beauty, brains and social standing - Saturday reigns as
Miss International.
Miss Gemma Teresa Guerrero Cruz, a 21-year old historical writer at the National Museum, Manila,
the Philippines, won the International Beauty Congress top prize Friday night.
With the title came $10,000 cash award.
But Miss Cruz, member of a wealthy Filipino family, donated all her winnings to: "The building of
homes to house the children who are sleeping in the streets of Manila."
Actress Arlene Dahl, a member of the panel of judges, said it was touch-and-go (very close), among the
first three but added: "Miss Philippines had an unmistakable air of class that set her
apart from the others. I think that regality, so evident in her breeding and bearing is what
gave her the judges' nod."
The black-haired, black-eyed beauty is 5 feet 10, weighs 135 pounds and measures 37-25-37.
Second palce went to the American Beauty, Linda Ann Taylor, 18, of San Diego, California. She was
followed by Miss Brazil, Vera Lucia Couto dos Santos, a 20-year-old Rio de Janeiro college student;
Miss England, Tracy Ingram,21, a model from Newcastle-on-Tyne, and Miss Finland, Maila Maria Ostring,
21, a student, from Tampere.
Miss Cruz, pretty enough to be in the mobies, is not the least bit anxious to pursue an acting career -
although she has had offers.
"From here," she said, "I will go to the University of Mexico where I have a years's scholarship
and will continue with my studies."
She is a graduate of Manila's Maryknoll College, where she received a bachelor of arts degree in 1963.
All the contestants were to spend Saturday touring Southern California, including a visit to actor
Glenn Ford's $400,000 home. (Long Beach, California / 15 August 1964 - (AP)
- - -
A thrill of excitement and pride raced through the Philippines Saturday over Gemma Teresa Guerrero
Cruz' selection as Miss International Beauty.
It was the first time a Filipino girl had won a world contest and this archipelago was making the
most of it.
Newspapers rushed out extras bearing the glad tidings and radio stations repeatedly broadcast the
news. Newspaper offices were flooded with calls from people asking whether it was really true.
President Diosdado Macapagal sent her radiogram saying, "Heartiest congratulations on your winning
the Miss International title. All of us are proud of you and eagerly await your safe return."
Mayor Antonio J. Villegas told her "in spite of the weather, politics and the threat of a jeepney
strike, Manila shines with great pride for Miss Philippines' victory in the Miss International
Beauty Congress."
Gemma's stepfather, Angel Nakpil, a prominent architect, seemed to take the news more calmly than many.
He said his first hint came when he heard salesgirls giggling in a shop and heard them mention Gemma's
name. They told him she came in fifth. But when he hurried back to his office he learned she was first.
Was he surprised? "There's always a bit of optimism in these things," he said, "otherwise you wouldn't
get into them."
He said, "It's a great thing for the country," but seemed equally interested in when Gemma and her
mother would be coming home.
Last year she entered the Miss Philippines contest but withdrew because of complaints from other
contestants. They claimed officials had shown favoritism by letting her enter after the deadline.
But this year she tried again and won - and nobody was complaining about the choice. Gemma is the oldest
of seven children in the Nakpil family. Her father's death left her newspaper-columnist mother with
two children. Her mother's marriage to Nakpil has produced three more children, and Nakpil also has two
from a previous marriage.
Vice President Emmanuel Pelaez issued the following statement: "Gemma's feat is something that I know
all our people will be proud of. The Philippines, through Virgilio Hilario and Jorge Araneta owns the
distinction of having deprived the world of two beauty queens. It must come as a source of pride to every
Filipino to know that at last we have one to give away." - Manila / 15 August 1964 - (AP)
MAY 2004
