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Manila, March 9 -- TANAY, Rizal -At 83, Leandro "Biboy" Enriquez, a celebrated founder of beauty pageants and a prominent hotelier, radiates joy and fulfillment. He is nowa two-time world champion cockfighter known for his exceptional skills.With a warm smile and a spark in his eye, Biboy shows how rich and satisfying life can be.
The current generation may not be familiar with Biboy. But for pageant fans in the 70s and 80s, they know him as the former owner of Mutya ng Pilipinas and Miss Asia Pacific beauty pageants. Biboy also owned the Sulo Hotel, the Philippine Village Hotel, the Silahis Hotel, the Puerto Azul Beach Hotel, and the Playboy Club of the Philippines.
While walking through his sprawling 25.6-hectare farm nestled in Tanay, the perpetual bachelor fondly reminisced about his remarkable journey in the world of pageantry back in 1968.
"Nagkaroon ng Asian Fashion Summit sa Araneta Coliseum. The organizer needed a hotel to house these models. After the event, I asked the organizer to create a beauty contest. So we thought of Mutya ng Pilipinas and Miss Asia Pacific beauty pageants," said Biboy.
During that period, the two prominent national beauty pageants in the Philippines were Mutya ng Pilipinas and Binibining Pilipinas. These contests held significant prestige and captured the public's attention, attracting numerous hopeful candidates from various regions.
Women crowned as queens in these competitions often transitioned into successful careers in the entertainment industry, ultimately becoming renowned television and movie stars.
Biboy characterized the competition between the Mutya ng Pilipinas and Binibining Pilipinas pageants as a cordial rivalry, highlighting the camaraderie and mutual respect among the organizers....