27 September 2005 – The Philippine Embassy in Tokyo reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the Embassy officers and staff led by Ambassador Domingo L. Siazon, Jr. led the Filipino community in Japan in cheering and giving support for Ms. Philippines-International Precious Lara Quigaman in her successful bid as Miss International during the 45th Miss International Beauty Pageant on 26 September 2005 at the Koseinenkin Kaikan in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan.

“Ms. Quigaman made the country proud and has put the Philippines in the limelight by besting 51 other contestants all around the world for the coveted crown,” Ambassador Siazon said who also welcomed Ms. Quigaman’s mother, Princesita, her aunt and siblings in the Embassy.     The family of Ms. Quigaman and the Embassy personnel were at the Koseinenkin Kaikan to witness the competition and crowning of Precious Lara as Miss International. The Embassy is organizing a victory party for Ms. Quigaman.
 
The 23-year old model and freelance web writer from Binan, Laguna became the fourth candidate from the Philippines to win the Miss International title. Previous winners were Ms. Gemma Teresa  Cruz (1965), Ms. Aurora Pijuan (1970), and Ms. Melanie Marquez (1979). Ms. Quigaman succeeds Ms. International 2004 Jeymmy Paola Vargas of Colombia. Ms. Dominican Republic Yadira Geara and Ms. Finland Susana Laine were crowned first runner-up and second runner-up, respectively.

The Miss International Beauty Pageant, first held in 1960, continues to be a festival of beauty where representatives from all over the world get-together as goodwill ambassadors to promote world peace, deepen international exchange and widen the candidates’ friendship network. END