Source: Facebook

Love is in the air anew for former Miss Universe 1999 1st runner-up Miriam Quiambao whose friends announced on Monday her engagement to businessman Eduardo "Ardy" Roberto Jr, which he also confirmed in his Facebook status.

Miriam first married Italian businessman Claudio Rondinelli in 2004 after a whirlwind courtship and lived in Hong Kong, but the couple separated after two years. Like her Miss Universe fall, Miriam rose from her broken marriage and lived life to the full by resuming her showbiz career in Manila.

Rappler said it is another whirlwind courtship with Roberto proposing on Sunday morning.

Roberto is a speaker, author and entrepreneur. He is the chief executive officer and founder of Salt & Light Ventures as well as co-founder of Inspire Leadership Consultancy. Among the books he has written are Heart of Healing and Ang Pera na Hindi Bitin.

Source: Facebook

Since the groom-to-be is physically not an actor-type, this early, Miriam is getting some negative comments about the "ordinary look" of her future husband. It brings back recent memories of Miss Universe 2012 1st runner-up Janine Tugonon also being criticised for having an ordinary-looking Filipino boyfriend.

PhotoWorld Manila posted on Facebook that with the news of Miriam's engagement some "netizens can sometimes be mean."

Friends, however, defended the beauty queen and her future husband who even is referred to in their Christian community as "Mr Pogi."

Source: Facebook

"True love ay di nasusukat kung bagay sila o hindi. Kung maganda o pangit, mahalaga tanggap nila and isat isa husgahan man ng iba," wrote Farmer Rhen.