Washington DC, 16 January 2023 (GNP): Filipino-American beauty pageant titleholder who has formerly won Miss Texas has been crowned Miss Universe 2022. She is the first Filipina-American to win the crown.
During Miss Universe, she represented her home state (Texas, Houston) in the national dress round. Meanwhile, she also chose to showcase her home state, Houston’s space credentials. After her win, she said she feels a ‘big responsibility’ to share her diverse and multicultural background plus empower others to embrace their identities.
She said: “My dad moved to America from the Philippines on a college scholarship with about $20 in his pocket. He wanted to pave a new life for himself. He met my mom in Texas, who is a country woman from Beaumont. I’m a very proud Filipina Texan.”
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Upon being questioned how she would use the platform of Miss Universe, she stated: “I would use it to be a transformational leader. As a very passionate designer, sewing for 13 years, I use fashion as a force for good in my industry. I’m cutting down on pollution through recycled materials and when I make my clothing, I teach sewing classes to women that have survived human trafficking and domestic violence. I say that it is so important to invest in others, invest in our community and use your unique talent to make a difference. We all have something special and when we plant those seeds to other people in our life, we transform them and we use that as a vehicle for change.”
Watch the video of Miss Universe 2022 being crowned below!
