Pamela Bianca Manalo, the reigning Bb. Pilipinas-Universe, is an imposing presence both on and off stage. Standing regally at 5’10,” this 22-year-old advertising graduate from Assumption College also works as a flight attendant for Philippine Airlines.

She is now in the Bahamas together with the other finalists for the forthcoming Miss Universe pageant that will be held on August 23, 2009.

Bianca comes from a family of beauty queens. Her older sister Kate Manalo-Hernandez was Miss Philippines-World 2002, and an aunt, Nini Ramos Licaros, a former Miss Philippines-International (1968).

Aside from the Bb. Pilipinas-Universe title, Bianca took home several titles, the most significant among them the Manila Bulletin Reader’s Choice Award. Other titles she won include the Miss Natasha, Miss Philippine Airlines and Best in Swimsuit award.

Pamela Bianca began modelling when she was 14, the year her sister won. Her first commercial was a TV ad for Ysa Papaya Soap. Although she had found a lucrative career in modelling, Pamela Bianca continued her education and graduated from Assumption College with a degree in advertising. From there she worked as a flight attendant. During her safety training as a flight attendant, she graduated at the top of her class.

Forty years ago, the Philippines was represented by then 19-year-old Gloria Diaz who won the Miss Universe 1969 pageant held in Miami Beach, Florida. Four years later, in 1973, Margarita Moran, also 19 years old then, became the second Filipina to win the Miss Universe title in the pageant held in Athens, Greece. Many are hoping that the statuesque Bianca Manalo will do the same.

Now on its 45th year, the annual Bb. Pilipinas Beauty Pageant is a project of Bb. Pilipinas Charities Inc. It is a non-stock, non-profit organization founded by its chair, Ms. Stella Marquez de Araneta. The pageant began as a fundraising activity for projects that would benefit orphans and indigent families in the Philippines. For over four decades they have provided skills training, educational workshops and mission work for marginalized sectors of society.

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