PEP: Beauty queen Janina San Miguel says no to showbiz

Former Bb. Pilipinas-World Janina San Miguel is not convinced that actress-host Ruffa Gutierrez intentionally turned down the request reportedly made by the pageant organizers for her to train the controversial beauty queen. Many surmised that Ruffa's alleged refusal to coach Janina perhaps had something to do with the latter's "laughing stock" image following her blunder during the question and answer portion of the Binibining Pilipinas 2008 pageant held last March 9 at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City. Janina told PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) in a recent interview: "Baka po talagang busy lang siya [Ruffa] at saka hindi naman siya basta-bastang tao, di ba? Pero nung na-meet ko siya personally, okay naman siya, nagpa-picture pa nga kami, e." The meeting was described by Janina as cordial and she even praised Ruffa's personality. "Di ba, sa TV masyado siyang prangka, madaldal siya? Pero sa personal, parang tahimik, mahinhin, which is a true quality ng isang beauty queen," Janina added. Ruffa, who is in the cast Regal Entertainment's 2008 Metro Manila Film Festival entry, Desperadas 2, held the honor of representing the country in the Miss World pageant, where she eventually clinched Second Princess title in 1993. RELINQUISHING THE CROWN. Janina made headlines last September after she announced her decision to relinquish the title, citing the sudden death of her grandfather as the main reason. Her decision to quit paved the way for 1st runner-up Danielle Castaño to assume the vacated spot and compete for the Ms. World pageant staged in Johannesburg, South Africa last December 13. Danielle failed to make it even in the semifinals. The embattled beauty queen defended herself against critics who still can't seem to get enough of her past blunder. Skeptics continue to question the judges' decision to let Janina win by highlighting her seeming lack of command when it comes to the English language. "E, bakit po kailangan ng English? E, dapat nga Tagalog, e. At saka para sa isang national pageant kaya nga Binibining Pilipinas, di ba, Tagalog naman ‘yon? Hindi naman English, hindi naman Miss Philippines, di ba? So kailangan talaga mag-Tagalog sila, hindi pepuwersahin ‘yong tao na English ‘yong tanong nila. Dapat Tagalog na rin lahat," she argued. Janina admits that she's still offended by all the criticisms. But she also expressed pride and amusement with all the attention she's getting and continues to earn, months after the pageant. "Okay lang ‘yon, e, at least pinag-uusapan ako hanggang ngayon kahit hindi ako lumalabas sa mga media, pinag-uusapan pa rin ako." Entering show business, according to Janina, is not one of her plans. She would rather pursue a modeling career than act in front of the camera, at least for now. "Huwag na po sila umasa na mag-aartista ako kasi last option ko na po ‘yon. Kahit ang daming nag-o-fffer, ayoko po, ayoko talaga," said Janina. "Ngayon, mag-i-international model na lang po ako, ‘tsaka mga commercials, okay po ako dun. Pero sa showbiz ayoko po talaga, kasi alam ko na po ‘yong kalakaran. Alam n'yo naman po ang showbiz, maraming plastik." - Philippine Entertainment Portal