White hair chronicles LXI - Amparo Munoz

In the '70s I was a young student at a government-run school. We were made to line up along Quezon Avenue in Diliman to wave and cheer at a motorcade of Miss Universe contestants. So, very early on I was part of the hakot brigade. Instantly I liked two contestants, Miss Finland (Joanna Raunio) and Miss Spain (Amparo Munoz). So, very early on I had an eye for beauty and I knew I preferred tisays. And back then, I knew how to pick winners. Miss Finland went on to win runner-up honors to the eventual Miss Universe, Miss Spain. My concept of beauty has changed over the years, but the two beauties are still etched in my mind.

Miss Finland made a movie here in the '70s where she played a mermaid. Nerds back then had cheap thrills at the quick side breast glances and the inevitable nip exposures. After her brief local movie career, nothing much was heard of her.

But Miss Spain always stayed in my generation's consciousness. The Internet helped a lot in that. She usually crops up in the news because of her nude movie appearances and the apparent sad life she lived after being Miss Universe.

This white haired chronicler is once again reminded of Miss Spain Amparo Munoz because she died last Sunday, February 27. May she rest in peace.