MANILA, Philippines — Former Miss International Precious Lara Quigaman expressed excitement over her return to the Binibining Pilipinas stage after a few years of living away from the country.
She has been based in Canada with her husband, actor Marco Alcaraz, and their three boys.
“I’m very much feeling my age,” she quipped during an interview with The STAR following the announcement of the official 36 candidates for this year’s edition of the longest-running national pageant.
The latest batch was evaluated and selected by a panel that was headed by Precious Lara, alongside members of the Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI) executive committee and reigning Binibining Pilipinas queens.
With other members of the Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI) executive committee and reigning Binibining Pilipinas queens during the final screening of candidates.
“No, I’m really so happy to be back. It’s been, I think, three years since my last Binibining Pilipinas, and it’s really good to be back. We have a really good batch of ladies this year. I don’t know if you were here (during the screening), but they’re so articulate, they’re all so smart. I’m so proud of them,” she said.
Although her recent visit to the country was brief, Precious Lara said she intends to return for the coronation night.
A throwback photo of Precious during her international pageant days.
Photo from Binibining Pilipinas’ social media
Asked what she was looking for in a candidate, she stressed how beyond beauty, she values a candidate’s purpose and story coming into the competition.
“You know what I told them? Because everyone’s obviously beautiful, right? We know that every girl is beautiful. But I told them I really wanted to see and hear their ‘why’ — why they are joining Binibining Pilipinas. So we really listened to their stories of why they’re here and why they wanted to join. That was that. For me, more than obviously being beautiful, it’s also their story,” she explained.
Precious Lara and her husband Marco Alcaraz are happily settled in British Columbia, Canada with their three boys.
As for the qualities she hopes to see in the next winner, Precious Lara wants her to possess character and integrity.
“The girl who embodies Binibining Pilipinas. You know, someone who is very helpful to their fellow women. And obviously, we want a Binibini who is really smart and full of integrity,” she said.
Asked about the Philippines’ chances in international pageants, particularly Miss International, and the so-called “secret” to bringing home the crown or title, she stressed that there is no secret formula.
“There’s no secret naman. Every year naman, like last year, Myrna (Esguerra) was so close, ‘di ba? She really did so well. And I think it’s just really… if it’s really God’s will for you, ‘di ba? Because we know that our Binibinis really give it their all. They really do everything that they can to win the pageant. So if it’s really for them, it’s gonna be for them, there’s no secret. But of course, kailangan ng mga girls ang mga prayers natin and support,” she said.
For this year’s batch, her advice is simple: stay authentic and enjoy the journey.
“So I had a chance to talk to them during the screening. Just enjoy it, give it your all, and just be yourself — be your real self,” she said.
Now based in Canada with her family, Precious said she is content with her current life and is busy with her career as a preschool teacher.
“That’s what I’ve been doing. I’ve been teaching younger kids and doing out of school care, too. And obviously my boys and my husband,” she shared.
She remains open to whatever the future holds, even if it means returning to the Philippines.
“But for now, my children are really enjoying their life in Canada. And obviously, I’m not saying no, we can never tell what’s gonna happen. So whatever God’s will is, we’ll follow. But for now, we’re very happy there,” she said.
Meanwhile, she reassured supporters her health presently is in a good place after previously experiencing a health scare.
Last month, she shared with her followers that her husband had to call 911 as she was having “severe chest pain unlike I’ve ever felt before.”
She had to undergo a series of tests to find out “what’s happening with my heart” although the doctor already said that it wasn’t cardio-related.
Precious Lara said she used those hours of waiting in the hospital for prayer and reflection. “Sometimes, I feel anxious, waiting for results and especially when I feel pain in my chest area or when I feel short of breath. But I am grateful for this season. God is teaching me to trust and be still before Him and to give Him my heart — literally.”
She further wrote in a separate post: “Let us all take care of our hearts physically, emotionally and spiritually. May we always be reminded to slow down and remember that peace doesn’t come from the perfect results — it comes from knowing who holds our life.”
During the interview with The STAR, she updated, “It’s good, thankfully. So, I just had it checked before I came here. The doctor
ruled out that it’s not a heart condition. They’re still trying to figure out where the chest pain is coming from. Because I don’t have a GERD or anything like that. (Anxiety?) Could be. Maybe it’s not physical, ‘di ba? So that’s at least one thing we want to figure out,” she shared.
“Now, I feel really good. I haven’t had any chest pain recently. So, hopefully it’s all done and just in passing,” she added.
