Miriam Quiambao 'happy' for Playboy pictorial

MANILA, Philippines - Former Miss Philippines and Miss Universe runner-up Miriam Quiambao took a bold to step in advancing her career by gracing the cover of Playboy magazine's August issue. "I consulted some friends and my manager and I spoke about it. And then we finally agreed we're going to do this really well and it has to be an art work," Quiambao told Raymond Gutierrez of GMA Network’s Showbiz Central during an interview Sunday. Quiambao said she prayed the night before the photo shoot and asked God for guidance. "Well I went [to Baclaran Church] with my friends and I lit a number of candles praying not just for this cover but also for other things and to give me the strength to go on with this project…," she said. She said she was nervous at the beginning of the photo shoot, but later was at ease. "Actually kinakabahan ako kasi pag pasok ko palang sa Imperial Suites Hotel I feel like I’m walking to the valley of death but probably it's just on my mind." "Naging comfortable eventually magaling kasi si Jun de Leon (Eventually I became comfortable because Jun de Leon is a good photographer)," she added. Quiambao also said she received no angry memo from GMA News and Public Affairs executives after the Playboy photo shoot. She said she sent soft copies to her bosses and added: “They don't have violent reactions and I explained to them the reasons why I did it." Quiambao said posing for the magazine was a "celebration of her femininity." "I am happy. Tama na yung iyak iyak sa mga nakaraan, ‘di ba?" she said. "Parang, I'm just so happy with myself and I'm celebrating it (It's like I'm so happy with myself and I am celebrating it)," said Quiambao. - Aie Balagtas See, GMANews.TV