“I chose this system to compete for the first time internationally because I wanted to capture a journey of perseverance as a woman of color navigating the harsh social media terrain, as a new mother facing societal pressures to fit into a “perfect” image, and as law student in her fragile yet beautiful 20’s with dreams to change the world. Through my participation, I hope to tell the story that no matter the trials and tribulations you are dealt, always bloom with grace and trust that God’s plan will work in mysterious ways to bring your efforts to fruition. Also, that change starts with a voice. May all women know how powerful that voice is against the criticisms and how malleable any terrain is as long as you believe in yourself.”
What do you do outside of pageantry?
Content creation, modelling, marketing liaison between businesses and content creators, and also co-owning an Amazon and e-Bay e-commerce business. All the things people often can’t say you do, I do. This year, my next goal is to join the Voice, Australia.
Usually, when people see a beauty queen they assume the person is shallow or has had an easy life. Breaking that stereotype, please explain your most notable hardships you have overcome in life.
The beauty to be able to smile no matter what you are dealt, comes from somewhere. I had a tumor during high school and was constantly gaslighted by doctors into believing it was harmless until one doctor believed me and extracted it herself during my first university degree. This took time away from dedicating myself to a scholarship I had earned and my grades fell with depression. I was hospitalized during that same degree with kidney failure after unhealthy bulking due to skinny-shaming online when I first started content creating. I was fat-shamed when I gained weight during pregnancy which was terrifying during the completion of my final year of my first degree. With grace, I was able to finish. I was abused throughout this time by some “close people”.
When my son was born and I returned to content creation, I was socially controlled to feel that I was not be able to leave home without consequence. Yet with boundaries-setting and continuing to use my social media platform, I was able to find strength in community to fight for freedom. I was able to change the landscape to be more empathetic and understanding of healthy boundaries and respectful behaviors. Today, the fight is ongoing. But I am persevering, especially for my son.
What is the best piece of advice you can give for winning the interview?
Be absolutely yourself, and the words will flow. I used the interviews as if you are talking to educated friends, which they are. When you are being yourself there’s no need to feel anxious for example. You can laugh. You can be weird. You can express yourself from eye to eye. The biggest mistake you can make is sounding like a rehearsed robot. A queen knows how to capture hearts by showing hers first.
When did you win your title and how did it feel?
I won the 1st in 2022 and the 3rd in 2023. My first thought was thank you God. I have no idea what you have in store for me, but I will surely bring it back up to You.
This was my first pageant, at the age of 24 when I represented the Philippines in the Miss Division and also my state, Victoria. I was awarded the Miss Australia Royalty International, which then secured me a spot in the international competition. In 2023, I won the first ever Queen of Queens title, scoring the highest across all divisions.
Although I did not know I would secure both titles, from the moment I applied, it was already soul-changing. I think pageantry is at times under scrutiny from society as mainly a competition of bodies and wealth when it isn’t. Applying not only meant challenging my own biases, but also exploring a whole new realm through which I would discover qualities of sisterhood and friendly competition that were so lacking in my life prior. Miss Royalty International provided me the confidence to go on and inspire others with so much more confidence knowing that women are so capable of encouraging good change. It saved me from various times of abuse at home, inspired by women in the community who I would have never known had been or were going through similar struggles. It also empowered me with a platform to have my ideas and goals heard without ridicule.
Today, title or not, this experience echoes in how I challenge hurtful people with courage now, and also take to my social platforms to encourage good social media behaviors, responsible education, and mental health practices to tackle learnt abusive behavior. Especially with the young, I am privileged to be able to inspire local youths to be proud of their dreams. Knowing how many strong women there are all over the world who also remain kind no matter what they are dealt, the world is also fuller and feels less like an endless search. I have found my soul sisters, and now I see soul-sisters in many others.
What appearances have you made with your title or do you plan to make during your reign?
Wearing the adorned sash and crown, I quickly realized back in Australia that it was actually quite difficult to begin with. There is a huge culture here against what would be perceived as merely “flexing”, unlike in America where achievements are readily celebrated. Hence, I had to muster my marketing skills to instead not make the title the center but weave it strategically into conversations during events to create the change and inspiration I needed to achieve my platform.
To start, as I had actually quit my Juris Doctor degree, I targeted local agencies rather than the school systems to create change, which I now realize was a blessing in disguise. With my sash in my bag during photoshoots and restaurant collaborations, I would talk to business owners about pageantry, winning the title, and then my dreams of connecting businesses to content creators like me who, when you really get to know them, have powerful stories to tell. “Subliminal” education is a technique of mine when it comes to influencing the social landscape, and I knew that through my own reputation, business, and agency owners would grow curious over the year about harnessing the power of community growth across the digital space and telling more personal stories. Throughout this journey, I worked with various businesses in the city, as well as was featured in some ad campaigns in local restaurants and tea shops (I love tea). In turn, with that influence, I share that attention with other content creators, many of whom are younger than me. For the shy and unguided youth, today I am working hard to provide them with opportunities for brand collaborations, modeling, and startup investment. There is actually a running joke now among my friends and community: “There are so many Miss Australia’s (and international queens) but you’re OURS”.
Who or what inspires you?
Stories from different cultures. For example, right now I am reading the book Ikigai, inspired by Japanese forms of therapy, and am currently inspired by animator director Hayao Miyazaki, who was briefly mentioned. Miyazaki had a passion for animation the traditional way and stuck to his art form no matter the critics and adapting competition. This earned him the title as a true artisan in the realm of creation. He is also exemplified as a person who had truly found his calling, being able to use his passion to inspire others, live a fulfilling life, and achieve spiritual happiness.
What is the most courageous thing you have ever done?
Completing a year of law school with a toddler? I’m not afraid of broken sleep – Broken sleep is afraid of me!
What advice would you give to someone who is already a runner up in pageantry and has not yet won their dream title?
Your time will come. Trust God’s timing.
Effectively, when other content creators, youths, or just curious people look at my socials, they can also immediately see the captions I write which speak of combating against harsh critics, haters, and toxic behaviors. I use every opportunity, every platform I have to inspire grace and strength. Before I pass on the title to the successor in 2024, my upcoming goal is to draw hype to the pageant system by visibly wearing the sash in an all-out marketing style. Placement is important, and I know how crucial it is to space out products of branding!
Photo Below and Cover Photo: Photographer Eva Flis
