As contests became more competitive in the 1990s and 2000s, local bets attended pageant training that was held abroad like the ones that were run in Colombia and Venezuela.
[5][6] Before Venus Raj won a runner-up place in Miss Universe 2010, no Philippine contestants reached the pageant's semifinal round.
[6] Founders Jonas Gaffud and Nad Bronce persuaded then student Zorayda Ruth Andam in 2001 to participate in the Binibining Pilipinas.
Gaffud and Bronce soon were joined by film director Jeffrey Jeturian and Arnold Mercado, and they formed a group called Mabuhay Beauties.
Gaffud stated in an interview that Warouw's coaching consisted a "pep talk" and a favor to Albert Kurniawan, a mentor who had been giving free make-up tutorials to trainees.