These 5 stunning ladies are also making their way as queens in Tiktok

That’s no surprise that beauty pageants are popular among Filipinos. On coronation nights, Filipinos come together to support the country’s representative, cheering her on with the rest of the country. Our Country is also a beauty pageant powerhouse, and we are clearly the second most recognized country in international beauty pageants, thanks to our dedication to the art of pageantry. We’re also one of just five countries to have won at least once in each of the Big Four international pageants: Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss International, and Miss Earth.

The remarkable Filipinas who have competed in international pageants are all strong women who, in their own unique ways, contribute to the country’s quest for female empowerment. They, like TikTok, are inspiring and entertaining, and they share this part of themselves with their fans and followers through their app updates.

Here are 5 homegrown beauty queens that you can follow on TikTok.

1. Rabiya Mateo

https://www.tiktok.com/@rabiyamateo

Rabiya represented the Philippines at the recently concluded 69th Miss Universe pageant, where she placed in the Top 21. She is a licensed physical therapist who graduated Cum Laude from IloIlo Doctor’s College. While she doesn’t practice clinically, she instead chooses to teach at review centers in different provinces around the country.

2. Catriona Gray

https://www.tiktok.com/@catriona_gray

Crowned Miss Universe 2018, Catriona is the fourth Filipina to win the Miss Universe pageant. Best known for her signature “Lava Walk”, Catriona is truly a woman of many talents. Apart from modelling and joining beauty pageants, she also holds a graduation certificate in Music Theory, and was even the lead singer in her school’s jazz band. This beauty is tough too, and is a black belt in Choi Kwang-Do martial arts.

3. Maxine Medina

https://www.tiktok.com/@maxinemedina

Maxine placed in the Top 6 when she represented the Philippines at the Miss Universe 2016 pageant. She is an interior designer who enjoys spending time at the beach with family and friends whenever she can. Here’s a fun piece of trivia – Maxine is not the only beauty queen in her family. In fact, her aunt, Gem Padilla-Thomas, also held the title of Miss Universe Philippines back in 1990.

4. Pia Wurtzbach

https://www.tiktok.com/@piawurtzbach

Pia is an HIV awareness advocate who promotes zero discrimination towards individuals living with the disease. Showing a tenacious side to her, it took three tries before Pia finally won the right to represent the Philippines at Miss Universe. She then went on to win the title that year, reigning as Miss universe in 2015. Before joining pageants, she acted in multiple films and TV shows, working hard as their family’s breadwinner since she was only 11 years old.

5. MJ Lastimosa

https://www.tiktok.com/@mjl.23

Another fierce female with a persistent side, MJ also joined Binibining Pilipinas three times before finally being crowned Miss Universe Philippines. At the 2014 Miss Universe pageant, she ended up as one of the 10 finalists. This beauty queen is also a Computer Engineer who graduated with honors from the University of Mindanao in Davao City.

Check out these incredible beauty queens, and use TikTok to find many more inspiring ladies to follow. To get started, download the app on your  iOS or Android device today.