Miriam Quiambao

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.^[2]

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.^{[citation needed]}

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.^{[citation needed]}

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.^{[citation needed]}

In 2002, Quiambao appeared a Mister Donut Twist commercial, where she reprised her fall at Miss Universe 1999.^[3]

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.^{[citation needed]}

In 2006, she presented a travel show, Pinoy Meets World with Paolo Bediones.^{[citation needed]} 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.^{[citation needed]}

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.^{[citation needed]}

In the second half of 2009, 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.^{[citation needed]}

In 2011, she played Josie/Alonah in the fantasy series Bangis on TV5. She played as 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!.^{[citation needed]}

In 2023, she is one of the co-hosts of The 700 Club Asia.^[4]

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.^[5]

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.^[6] In 2013, she became engaged to Eduardo "Ardy" Roberto Jr., a Christian author and motivational speaker. They were married on March 25, 2014,^[7] and have two children, and one from Roberto's previous marriage.^[8][9][10] While pregnant, she was diagnosed with Antiphospholipid syndrome.^[11] Quiambao's autobiography, He Can Catch You When You Fall, was published in 2015.^[12][13]

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.^[14]

• 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

^{note 1} Quiambao was originally Binibining Pilipinas-World, but became Binibining Pilipinas-Universe after the titleholder, Janelle Bautista, was dethroned

• Quiambao's Official Website
• Miriam Quiambao at IMDb

Awards and achievements
Preceded by   Veruska Ramirez	Miss Universe 1st Runner-up 1999	Succeeded by   Claudia Moreno
Preceded by Jewel Lobaton (1998) Janelle Bautista (1999; Dethroned)	Binibining Pilipinas Universe (Successor) 1999	Succeeded by Nina Ricci Alagao