What are your interests and what do you enjoy doing the most?

I’m someone who finds joy in meaningful connection whether I’m hiking with loved ones, traveling to new countries, or bringing communities together through cultural events. I’ve always been drawn to spaces that celebrate identity and unity, which is why I’ve been a long-time volunteer with the Philippine Independence Day Council. Helping organize heritage festivals and community-led initiatives has been one of the most fulfilling ways I stay rooted in where I come from while helping others rise.

I’ve had the chance to visit over 20 countries, and those experiences have deepened my love for storytelling and cultural exchange. I truly believe that empathy can cross borders and that the best kind of leadership starts with listening.

And while I thrive in purpose-driven environments, what I enjoy most is unplugging in nature. Hiking keeps me grounded, restores my mental clarity, and reminds me that joy doesn’t have to be loud or expensive. It’s one of the simplest and most sustainable ways to connect with yourself, your loved ones, and the planet.

List any special training you have had (music, art, drama, dance, etc.)

Art comes in many forms, and as the world evolves, so does the way we express it. My creativity has been shaped through years of pageantry, community work, and celebrations of culture.

I’ve spent countless hours preparing for events that celebrate identity and self-expression, from hosting community galas to participating in cultural showcases. Pageantry has been its own form of training, teaching me to move with intention, speak with clarity, and carry myself with confidence on and off stage.

I’ve also modeled for renowned Filipino designers like Renee Salud and Mimi Pimentel, who once served as a fashion consultant to a former Philippine president, using fashion as a canvas for storytelling and heritage.

Through my work with the Philippine Independence Day Council, I’ve continued to immerse myself in artistic and cultural initiatives. These experiences have reminded me that art doesn’t always come from formal training: it can come from the heart, from lived experience, and from the courage to express who you are.

In what sports, if any, have you participated?

I’ve participated in badminton during my school years and have maintained an active lifestyle ever since. Today, I stay physically active through consistent running, strength training, and hiking, which is one of my favorite ways to stay grounded while spending time with family and friends.

Each year, I also take part in the Canadian Cancer Society’s fundraising run, combining movement with a cause that’s deeply personal to me. Most recently, I competed in Miss Filipinas Worldwide in January 2025, an experience that required months of intense preparation—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Pageantry, much like sport, demands endurance, discipline, and resilience, both on and off the stage.

Preparing for Miss Universe Canada has brought even more structure and intention to my routine. I view physical wellness not just as a personal goal, but as the foundation of a healthy, well-balanced life. To me, athleticism isn’t only about competition, it’s about commitment. It’s the quiet, consistent decision to show up for yourself with purpose, even when no one is watching.

Name one person, other than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life. Why?

One of the most influential figures in my life is Agnes Pasaporte Miranda, co-founder of the Philippine Independence Day Council (PIDC). As an immigrant who arrived in Canada when the Filipino community was still finding its voice, she helped create one of the largest cultural organizations for Filipino-Canadians, building a platform that unites people of all backgrounds through shared causes, community events, and meaningful fundraisers.

Through her courage and vision, she planted seeds that empowered women like me to lead with pride, serve with purpose, and embrace our cultural identity on both national and global stages. Her legacy taught me that leadership isn’t just about what you build for yourself, it’s about what you plant for future generations. Some seeds you may never see grow in your lifetime, but the impact lives on.

That principle has shaped my own path. It’s the kind of leadership I carry into everything I do and the kind I hope to embody on the Miss Universe Canada platform: one rooted in inclusion, service, and long-term change that outlives the spotlight.

What is your proudest personal accomplishment (other than participating in this pageant)?

One of my proudest personal accomplishments was competing in Miss Filipinas Worldwide in January 2025. It wasn’t just a pageant, it was a national stage where I stood as 1st runner-up among a group of powerful, accomplished women from across the Filipino community. It was the culmination of months of preparation and years of personal growth. I entered that stage carrying my heritage, my story, and the hopes of a community I love deeply.

What made it even more meaningful was that I did it while working full-time in business development and preparing independently, without a large team. It taught me that with discipline, strategy, and heart, you don’t need perfect conditions to show up fully and perform at your best.

That same mindset earned me the Achievers Award twice at CIBC, an honour reserved for the top 0.01% of employees across a workforce of over 50,000. But beyond the titles and awards, what I’m most proud of is showing others what’s possible when you lead with purpose and rise with intention, even when the odds aren’t in your favour.

What is the most interesting or unique thing that has ever happened to you and/or what is the most interesting thing about you?

One of the most unique and defining moments of my life happened when I was 15. I was hit by a car and woke up in the hospital the next day, confused and disoriented. As I opened my eyes, the first person I saw was my late grandmother. She held my hand and said, “God still has a purpose for you.” At the time, I was too young to fully understand those words, but they’ve stayed with me ever since.

The accident left me with a concussion, a broken arm, and years of physical therapy. But the recovery wasn’t just physical, it was emotional and spiritual. That moment planted a seed in me, a quiet but unshakable belief that I’m here to do something meaningful, not someday, but now.

Every step I’ve taken since, from community work to leadership to this very stage, has been rooted in that moment. Waking up in that hospital bed wasn’t the end of something, it was the beginning of everything.

If my story reminds even one young woman that her most difficult moment could one day lead to her greatest calling, then I know I’m already living part of that purpose.

What is your career ambition and what are you doing or plan to do to accomplish that goal?

My career ambition is to become a multi-platform leader in business, media, and social impact, someone who bridges communities, builds economic and cultural equity, and uses influence with intention. I see myself not only contributing in the corporate boardroom, but also amplifying voices that are often overlooked, especially women, immigrants, and young people who dream big but aren’t sure where to begin.

I am currently developing national business development initiatives at one of Canada’s largest financial institutions, but I’ve never treated my role as just a job. To me, it’s a platform to learn, to serve, and to create lasting change from the inside out. That same mindset guides everything I do, from raising funds for the Canadian Cancer Society to my long-standing volunteer work with the Philippine Independence Day Council. I don’t just show up, I stay, contribute, and help build for the next generation.

If given the honour of becoming Miss Universe Canada, I intend to treat this platform with the same long-term vision. I hope to remain involved for years to come, supporting future delegates, contributing to cause-driven initiatives such as CAMH and SOS Children’s Villages Canada, and helping shape what representation looks like on both the national and global stage. For me, this isn’t just a title, it’s a responsibility I’ve been preparing for my entire life.

Canada’s voice on the world stage is evolving, and as a proud immigrant who has walked the long road of growth, resilience, and preparation, I am ready to help lead that evolution with purpose, power, and heart.

What would be your “dream job” in life?

If I could design my dream job, it would be a mix of global storytelling, cultural advocacy, and building something that truly gives back. I imagine a role where I get to travel the world, connect with people from all walks of life, and use my voice to spotlight stories that often go untold, especially those of women, immigrants, and communities still finding their footing.

Think Michelle Obama, Amal Clooney, and Catriona Gray, a woman who leads with heart, speaks with clarity, and uses every platform she touches to uplift others. That’s the kind of legacy I hope to build.

Growing up in the Philippines and moving to Canada as a young girl, I didn’t always see people who looked like me in positions of influence. That stayed with me. It’s why I’ve worked hard to build a life rooted in service, leadership, and representation. Whether I’m hosting an event, preparing for a pageant, or collaborating with a client or partner in my professional role, I always return to the same goal: to make people feel seen and supported.

My dream job wouldn’t just be about personal success. It would be about using every experience and every platform to create something that outlives me. Something that reminds others that you don’t need to come from privilege to make a difference. You just need to start, stay grounded, and keep going.

That’s why this journey with Miss Universe Canada already feels like part of the dream. Because it’s rooted in purpose and it’s only the beginning.

Describe where you were raised and what your childhood was like.

I was born in the Philippines and raised in a small, tight-knit community before immigrating to Canada at the age of 12. After my father passed away, my mother, a young widow with three children, did everything she could to keep us moving forward. But she didn’t do it alone. I was raised alongside my two brothers by a village of strong women, my grandmother and aunts, each of them helping shape the foundation of who I am today.

My grandmother was the definition of unconditional love: soft-spoken but strong, always reminding us that we were here for a reason. Her faith shaped mine, and her quiet presence grounded me during the most uncertain moments of my childhood. My aunts stepped in as second mothers, filling our lives with warmth, guidance, and the kind of everyday sacrifices that often go unnoticed but mean everything.

We didn’t have much, but we had stories, meals cooked with love, and life-shaping lessons passed down through generations. When we moved to Canada, the world felt big and unfamiliar, but the values we carried from home gave us strength. I often felt like I was living between two worlds, one rooted in tradition, the other bursting with possibility and that duality shaped me in ways I’ll always be grateful for.

My childhood wasn’t perfect, but it was full of meaning. It taught me empathy, resilience, and the quiet power of showing up for others. And now, standing on the Miss Universe Canada stage, I carry all of that with me. I am living proof that where you begin doesn’t define how far you can go, especially when you’re raised by women who believed you could rise.

List any interesting or unusual jobs you may have had.

One of the most unusual jobs I’ve ever had was picking worms on a farm for fishing supply. It wasn’t glamorous, but it taught me discipline, humility, and the value of hard work long before I ever stepped into a boardroom or onto a stage. I was just 14 years old, doing what I could to help my family, and without knowing it, I was building the resilience that would carry me through every chapter that followed.

From there, I worked in the service industry while putting myself through school, balancing late-night shifts with early classes, always striving for something more. Today, I develop national business development initiatives as a Senior Relationship Manager at one of Canada’s largest financial institutions. But no matter how far I go, I never forget where I started.

That’s why this story matters. Because it’s not just about where you begin, it’s about what you build, how you lead, and who you lift along the way. And if given the honour of becoming Miss Universe Canada, that’s exactly the kind of message I will carry forward.

List any volunteering you have done.

Volunteering has always been a big part of who I am. Over the years, I’ve raised over $15,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society, not just through fundraising runs but by rallying my community around a cause that’s close to my heart.

I’ve also volunteered with the Philippine Independence Day Council for many years, helping bring Canada’s largest Filipino cultural celebration to life. From hosting cultural showcases and charity events to supporting local pageants for a cause, it’s been my way of staying rooted in my heritage while giving back to a community that helped raise me.

Through my work at CIBC, I’ve continued that spirit of service. I co-led our “One for Change” committee and still volunteer regularly, helping raise funds for charities across the country and encouraging others to give back in their own way. I’ve also had the opportunity to speak on panels for Toronto Metropolitan University and the University of Toronto during International Women’s Month, sharing my story with students and young professionals who are just starting to find their voice and path.

For me, volunteering isn’t just something I do, it’s something I live. It’s how I stay connected to what matters, and how I help others believe that their story, their culture, and their contribution truly matter.

What is your most unusual talent?

One of my most unusual strengths is picking up on the energy in a room. I tend to notice how people are feeling, even if they’re not saying it out loud, and I naturally adjust to help others feel at ease. It’s kind of like emotional Wi-Fi, you can’t always see it, but it’s there, and it works.

It’s a quiet skill, but one that has helped me build trust, connect with people from all walks of life, and create meaningful relationships, whether I’m in a business meeting, at a community event, or on stage. I may not juggle or do backflips, but helping people feel seen and understood? That’s my kind of talent.

Because at the end of the day, talents come in many forms, and sometimes the most impactful ones are the ones you can’t always see.

Where is the most interesting place you have been to?

One of the most interesting places I’ve been to is Switzerland. I’ve lived in two countries and visited over 20, but something about Switzerland stayed with me. Beyond the postcard-perfect views, it was the stillness and intentional way of life that stood out. It reminded me that true success doesn’t always have to be loud – it can be peaceful, meaningful, and rooted in balance.

And yes, the chocolate really was as good as they say!

What do you hope to be doing in ten years?

“In 10 years, I hope to be living a life that’s both deeply rooted and far-reaching: leading with purpose, giving back meaningfully, and continuing to create space for others to rise.

Whether I’m building my own company, advising on equity and representation in global industries, or hosting conversations that spark real change, I know I’ll still be guided by the same values that brought me here: service, empathy, and courage.

I also hope to stay closely involved with organizations that helped shape me, like Miss Universe Canada not just as a former titleholder, but as a mentor, a partner, and a living example of how far you can go when you lead with heart.

And personally? I’d love to have a family, a passport full of stamps, and a life that feels just as good on the inside as it looks on the outside. Preferably while still wearing heels, and maybe a few sneakers, for whatever the next adventure calls for.

Is there anything you would like to add that we haven’t asked?

If there’s one thing I’d add, it’s that I know I’m not here by accident. Every chapter of my story from being raised by strong women, to working humble jobs, to developing business development initiatives and building community impact has prepared me for this moment.

I’m not here to just wear the crown. I’m here to carry it with depth, with purpose, and with the same intention I bring into every space I enter. Miss Universe Canada isn’t just about representing a country, it’s about reflecting the evolving face of leadership, beauty, and influence.

And if chosen, I won’t just rise to the occasion, I’ll rise for others too.
Because the most powerful crowns aren’t worn, they’re passed forward.