The late MU1980 3rd Runner-Up Ma. Rosario 'Chat' Silayan (Photo credit: Mike Herrera)
Let’s wax nostalgic today and reminisce one of the Filipinas who made us proud in the Miss Universe stage.
The year was 1980. It was the 8th of July to be exact. The Sejong Cultural Center in Seoul, Korea was the venue of Miss Universe. And the Philippine bet then, Ma. Rosario ‘Chat’ Silayan, made sure that all Filipino watchers around the globe cheered her on up until the announcement of winners in the Top 5 when she was named 3rd Runner-Up to eventual winner Shawn Weatherly of the USA.
Miss Philippines in the Top 5 (2nd from left) along with the delegates from (l-r) Sweden, New Zealand, Scotland and the USA. (Photo credit: Felix Manuel)
Chat stood out in that edition. She may not have won the top prize, but she was only one of two Asians (host delegate Kim Eun-Jung was the other) who made the Top 12. While the judges then were very stringent with their scores, she made it to the Top 5 in two of the three categories. Her interview with Bob Barker was made more memorable when she was greeted ‘Happy Birthday’ by everyone in the audience. Her swimsuit presentation – while considered tame and demure by today’s standards – was both sweet and old-fashioned sexy. And who could forget her grand entrance during the evening gown competition? Wearing a blue serpentina gown (courtesy of mentor Renee Salud) while stepping out behind huge Korean fans, she was a breathtaking site to behold. She soared to 2nd in that segment. While she did a commendable job in the Top 5 Q&A, it was clear that the American bet effortlessly took the spotlight right from the start and ended up with the crown.
courtesy of mastigasin
Today marks the 54th birth anniversary of the late Maria Rosario ‘Chat’ Silayan. She may already be gone, but clearly not forgotten. 
