The Philippines hosted the 1974 Miss Universe Pageant. As such, Manila did not only witness the gathering of the world's most beautiful women, it also had to employ its most beautiful citizens as usherettes, escorts and stage hands. The usherettes were donned in traditional mestiza dress, the symbol of the Filipina and of the Philippines.
One of the beautiful usherettes during the pageant is Ms. Rose Marie Brosas, a student from Makati. While doing her job, she dreamed of taking part of the contest. A year later, in 1975, at San Salvador, El Salvador, Rose Marie found hereself still donned in a traditional mestiza dress, but this time as a National Costume. She represented the Philippines in the 1975 Miss Universe Pageant.
There were 71 beautiful delegates from all over the world competing at the Gimnasio Nacional in San Salvador, El Salvador, 19th July 1975. Rose Marie made it through the first cut. She was the 5th to be called during the announcement of the twelve semi-finalists. The other semi-finalists were Haiti, Finland, El Salvador, Colombia, England, Japan, Israel, Ireland, Brazil, Sweden and USA.
Rose Marie Brosas is a beautiful person. She speaks her mind very clearly and spontaneously. I could only wish that host, Bob Barker, could have asked her more substantive questions during the casual interview for us to take a better peek at her mind.
Rose Marie wore a sleeveless red gown by Pitoy Moreno which spread like a butterfly. It was rather a fashion forward gown of its time. Most delegates wore gowns with sleeves. Rose Marie's gown help her exude her grace. She made it as one of the top five finalists. The other finalists were Finland, Haiti, U.S.A. and Sweden.
Rose Marie wore a sleeveless red gown by Pitoy Moreno which spread like a butterfly. It was rather a fashion forward gown of its time. Most delegates wore gowns with sleeves. Rose Marie's gown help her exude her grace. She made it as one of the top five finalists. The other finalists were Finland, Haiti, U.S.A. and Sweden.
During the top five interview, Bob Barker said: "Each of the delegates will be asked a question of general interest not to test her education or knowledge but only to give the judges one last chance to see her in an ad-lib situation."
Ms. Philippines was asked: "If you become Miss Universe of 1975 what one individual other than your parent would have made the greatest contribution to your success and why?"
She answered: "Well I think it would be the judges because they were the ones who voted for me if I become Ms. Universe."
She answered well under pressure. Her answer had a simple truth in it. All the top five delegates deserved the crown. And as such, the fate of the winner lies in the votes of the judges. If the audience were to judge, the winner would have been Ms. Sweden. She received long applause every time she is called. But the audience were not the judges. The judges chose the beautiful Ms. Finland, Ana Marie Potahmo, as Miss Universe 1975 and Miss Philippines was Fourth Runner Up.
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| Miss Universe 1975, Ms. Finland Ana Marie Potahmo, and her court. Miss Philippines Rose Marie S. Brosas (far left) is Fourth Runner Up. Photo credit: http://www.globalbeauties.com |
