MANILA, Philippines?Pamela Bianca Manalo understands that Filipinos would like very much indeed to have another Miss Universe winner.

The last Pinay to bring home the crown was Margie Moran in 1973 (the first was Gloria Diaz in ?69). Miriam Quiambao came close to victory as first runner-up in ?99.

Determination

Bianca, a 22-year-old Philippine Airlines flight attendant, was so focused on snagging the country?s third Miss Universe title that she lost more than 30 pounds while preparing for the competition.

In an earlier interview, she told Inquirer Entertainment that when she signed up for Binibining Pilipinas, she tipped the scales at 153 lb. For the duration of the competition, she had only fruits, vegetables, fish and water in her diet. On finals night she had slimmed down to 135 lb and won the Best in Swimsuit award, aside from the Bb. Pilipinas-Universe crown. She was likewise proclaimed Miss Natasha, Miss Philippine Airlines and Readers? Choice. At present, she weighs 120 lb.

John Cuay, Bianca?s physical trainer in Gold?s Gym, said he designed a Pilates-based program for her when training began in April this year. He also concentrated on trimming her lower abdomen and put her on a strict no-carbohydrates diet.

Aside from that diet and exercise regimen, Bianca underwent a clinical treatment that burned fat in her abdomen. A video clip from her trip to Bogota, Colombia, showed Bianca getting syringe shots into her mid-section a few days before her arrival in the Bahamas for the competition.

At the preliminaries last Sunday (Monday morning in Manila), Bianca surprised spectators with a svelte figure when she paraded in a two-piece swimsuit with the other 83 aspirants.

Big improvement

Observers on online message boards also noted a big improvement in Bianca?s ramp skills. Filipino model Wilma Doesnt trained her in that department.

But Bianca did not hone only her physical assets and skills. The Assumption College advertising graduate also took a Dale Carnegie personality development course and learned to do her own hair and makeup from David?s Salon.

Bianca hopes all that effort will help her attain the final victory.

Role models

Bianca was elated when Gloria Diaz and Margie Moran posed with her for photographs last March. ?I look up to both of them ... Maybe having a picture taken with them meant something,? she said.

Will Bianca, as her surname indicates, win the crown? Watch the coronation ceremonies live on Star World tomorrow 9 a.m., also telecast on ABS-CBN at 9:30 a.m. The Kapamilya channel will have a Miss Universe primer in a special episode of ?Ruffa and Ai? earlier, at 8:30 a.m.