Miriam Quiambao

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Miriam Redito Quiambao-Roberto (, born May 20, 1975) is a Filipina actress, television host, and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Binibining Pilipinas Universe 1999 and placed first runner-up at Miss Universe 1999. She is currently one of the co-hosts of The 700 Club Asia

Early life

Miriam Redito Quiambao was born on May 20, 1975, in Quezon City to Medgardo Quiambao of Bacacay, Albay, and Magdalena (née Redito) of Oas, Albay, and is the first of two children. She attended the School of the Holy Spirit of Quezon City during her elementary and high school years and went for her collegiate studies at the University of Santo Tomas, where she obtained her degree in Physical therapy. She is also a licensed physical therapist for the state of Indiana in the United States. Before Binibining Pilipinas, Quiambao had a career as a therapist for St. Luke's Hospital in Manila. She also worked as an instructor for a local gym.

Pageantry

Binibining Pilipinas 1999

Main article: Binibining Pilipinas 1999

Quiambao entered Binibining Pilipinas 1999, and won the title. She won several awards, including Miss Photogenic. When Binibining Pilipinas Universe titleholder Janelle Bautista lost her title to a citizenship issue, Quiambao took over and became the Philippine representative to Miss Universe 1999 in Trinidad and Tobago. Lalaine Edson took on Quiambao's previous Binibining Pilipinas 1999 title.

Miss Universe 1999

Main article: Miss Universe 1999

Quiambao competed at Miss Universe 1999 reaching first Runner-up, with Mpule Kwelagobe of Botswana winning the title. At the semi-finals, she reached second overall in the swimsuit and evening gown competitions. She won the Clairol Herbal Essences Style Award.

Television and film

After Miss Universe 1999, Quiambao began working as a TV host/correspondent for GMA Network in the Philippines. In December 1999, she co-hosted Unang Hirit with Arnold Clavio, Lyn Ching-Pascual, Suzi Entrata-Abrera, Mickey Ferriols and Ryan Agoncillo. Quiambao hosted a lifestyle segment of the show called Istayl.

In 2002, Quiambao appeared in a Mister Donut Twist commercial, where she reprised her fall at Miss Universe 1999.

She joined Paolo Bediones as a host on Extra, Extra, which eventually evolved into a reality program called Extra Challenge. She briefly hosted All About You, a show about women and good values, and fulfilled her dream of having her own talk show.

In 2006, she presented a travel show, Pinoy Meets World with Paolo Bediones. In the same year, Quiambao co-hosted the show Palaban on GMA 7 with Winnie Monsod and Malou Mangahas tackling current events, socio-economic and political issues in the Philippines. In 2007, she also hosted for QTV 11's Dahil Sa Iyong Paglisan, a made for TV show highlighting the experiences, trials and success of Overseas Filipino Workers.

During the first anniversary of 100% Pinoy!, she was one of the new hosts with Joaquin Valdez. She was also the co-host for The Beat (formerly Sapulso) on QTV with journalist/newscaster Ivan Mayrina.

In the second half of 2009, Quiambao appeared in a Philippine horror movie Patient X as Nurse Betty, and the comedy movie Kimmy Dora as Gertrude. She also appeared on television through the TV series Kung Tayo'y Magkakalayo as Aludra, the guest villain for the series.

In 2011, she played Josie/Alonah in the fantasy series Bangis on TV5. She played Maxene in the sitcom The Jose and Wally Show Starring Vic Sotto. In that same year, she had a cameo role as Ryan Agoncillo's boss in the movie House Husband: Ikaw Na!.

In 2023, she is one of the co-hosts of The 700 Club Asia.

Controversy

Quiambao was criticized by the LGBT community in the Philippines in early 2012 over her remarks about homosexuality on the current affairs talk show The Bottomline with Boy Abunda. She said on a Twitter post, "Homosexuality is not a sin but it is a lie from the devil." This caused a huge backlash with openly gay Filipino celebrities, with the rest of the entertainment industry criticizing her for such a "closed-minded" statement. She has since apologized for "not being sensitive" on a Twitter.

Personal life

In January 2004, she married Italian businessman Claudio Rondinelli, and lived in Hong Kong. Their marriage ended in divorce in 2006, with Quiambao returning to the Philippines. In 2013, she became engaged to Eduardo "Ardy" Roberto Jr., a Christian author and motivational speaker. They were married on March 25, 2014, and have two children, and one from Roberto's previous marriage. While pregnant, she was diagnosed with Antiphospholipid syndrome. Quiambao's autobiography, He Can Catch You When You Fall, was published in 2015.

In 2022, the family settled in Boracay. The couple celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary on March 24, 2024, before Pastor Joby Soriano at The Palms Country Club in Alabang, Muntinlupa. Quiambao had an asymmetrical wedding gown, while Roberto was in his off-white coat and white shirt.

Awards

• Most Outstanding Bicolana Award, Ibalong 1999
• Most Outstanding Alumna Award, UST 1999
• Millennium Men and Women Award, Evian 1999
• Clairol Herbal Essences Award, Miss Universe Pageant 1999
• First Runner-up, Miss Universe 1999
• Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 1999

Filmography

Film

Television

References

Notes

Quiambao was originally Binibining Pilipinas-World, but became Binibining Pilipinas-Universe after the titleholder, Janelle Bautista, was dethroned

References

1. "The 1999 Miss Universe Pageant". Miriam Quiambao TripodStar.
2. "Miriam Quiambao Biography – PINOYSTOP".
3. (June 21, 2020). "2003 Mister Donut Twist TVC".
4. (February 3, 2023). "Miriam Quiambao-Roberto: Beauty queen using her platform for good".
5. "Miriam Quiambao apologizes to LGBT community over remarks on homosexuality and religion". Manila Bulletin.
6. "FilamStar – Miriam Quiambao rises from her falls".
7. "Miriam Quiambao: I was suicidal". ABS-CBN News.
8. (January 22, 2013). "A graceful exit". [[The Philippine Star]].
9. (December 18, 2023). "Is Miriam Quiambao pregnant at 48?". [[GMA Integrated News]].
10. (July 14, 2021). "'Miracle baby': Miriam Quiambao gives birth to second child".
11. Sampayan, Anj. (December 13, 2018). "Miriam Quiambao diagnosed with autoimmune disorder risky for pregnant women".
12. "Press Release: Miriam Quiambao's life story now officially a book – CSM Publishing Blog".
13. "Miriam Quiambao's life story now a book".
14. (April 2, 2024). "Miriam Quiambao renews vows with Ardy Roberto on 10th wedding anniversary". [[Philippine Daily Inquirer]].
15. (August 22, 2022). "Family Feud Philippines: Shamcey Supsup - Lee VS Miriam Quiambao - Roberto {{!}} FULL EPISODE 106".
16. (January 23, 2015). "Ang 'Tunay na Buhay' ni Miriam Quiambao".
17. Soriano, Gia Allana. "WATCH: Miriam Quiambao, tinawag na milagro ang kanyang ipinagbubuntis".
18. "TV hosts reveal their shocking stories on The 700 Club Asia".