Filipina beauty is really something else!
With the Philippines being a staple Miss Universe Top 20 finalist in recent years, we owe it all to the beautiful women who’ve put in the blood, sweat, and tears to represent our country.
Wonder what they’ve been up to in recent years? Check out how our former Miss Universe queens have been rocking the runway of life!
Venus Raj – 2010
Since leading the consistent Top 20 pack with her superb performance as 4th runner-up, Venus has been keeping it low-key in her own way by traveling the world, giving back, and finishing her masters in Community Development at University of the Philippines Diliman.
Shamcey Supsup – 2011
Shamcey’s Miss Universe 3rd runner-up run went full circle as she’s now the National Director of the Miss Universe Philippines organization.
Most recently, she gave all-out support to Rabiya during the recently concluded 2020 Miss Universe, as Rabiya serves as the organization’s first trained beauty queen.
Janine Tugonon – 2012
The ever-lovely 2012 first runner up to Miss USA Olivia Culpo is still making strides in the fashion scene.
Janine is currently signed to One Model Management in the Philippines and in the international shores with LA Models.
Ariella Arida – 2013
Arielle has been perfectly balancing the beach and city life with her eye-catching Instagram posts and daily updates on the same platform.
She’s also been keeping up with the pageant scene and expressed support for Rabiya, urging her to “keep the momentum going” at the height of her Miss Universe run.
Mary Jean (MJ) Lastimosa – 2014
This witty queen has been a social media favorite for her hilarious updates during the Miss Universe pageant last May 17.
With her girl gang comprised of Shamcey Supsup and Janine Tugonon, they posted how they spent their reunion catching up and having late-night food runs.
Pia Wurtzbach – 2015
Who could forget the queen that broke the Philippines’ 42-year Miss Universe drought?
Pia has since worn many crowns after letting go of her pageant crown. She’s done it all: actress, model, endorser, and most recently: podcast host!
Maxine Medina – 2016
This Top 6 contender turned her camera-ready skills into a craft, as she’s now pursuing her dream as an actress and endorser. Her most recent work is as a protagonist in the GMA-7 teleserye, First Yaya.
Rachel Peters – 2017
The 29-year old beauty queen is expecting a bundle of joy! In a recent Instagram post last May 18, she happily shared that she and fiancé, Camarines Sur Governor Migz Villafuerte are expecting their first child.
The pair got engaged in November of 2019 and enjoy going to the beach together. We can’t wait for the little island baby!
Catriona Gray – 2018
After bringing home the crown after the much shorter 3-year gap, Catriona has been keeping up with her advocacies and continued to play an active role in the Miss Universe scene.
Most recently, Cat returned to Australia to be with her family, as she hasn’t seen them since the pandemic.
Gazini Ganados – 2019
This Filipino-Palestinean beauty has been keeping an active lifestyle and continued working with her advocacy of elderly care. Just this week, she called for prayers for the destruction happening amid the Gaza-Israel conflict.
“I can only imagine the trauma my brothers and sisters are going through and hope for them to still remain kind and hopeful in this cruel situation. Praying for everyone’s safety,” Gazini shared on social media with a photo of her during a video call with her Palestinean father.
“Give your loved ones a hug, a kiss, and show them how much you truly love and care before it’s too late.”
Rabiya Mateo – 2020
With the 2020 Miss Universe concluding just this Monday, May 17, Rabiya has been keeping busy by enjoying her time with her Miss U crew, pigging out (she misses Korean samgyeospal, apparently!), and pouring gratitude to her Filipino fans.
In an Instagram story posted hours after her Miss Universe was cut short at the Top 21, Rabiya shared that “I just finished one beautiful chapter. Now, I’m excited to write a new one.”
Win or lose, these queens still have our support!
