Despite the usual trappings of glamour and beauty, being a pageant queen is not just about the beauty that’s visible to the eye. Trite as it may seem, real beauty does come from within, the kind that glows from inside.

Beauty pageants have always been an avenue for touching the lives of others. In 2015, Pia Wurtzbach brought pride to the Philippines when she finally bagged the Miss Universe title after 42 years of drought for that elusive crown. The country was overjoyed as the Filipina beauty stood out among 80 other contestants from around the world.

This year, as she tries to make history again in the upcoming 65th Miss Universe pageant, Maxine Medina is capturing the hearts of Filipinos.

In God’s perfect time

Medina, the 25 year-old beauty from Quezon City, was a first-time Binibini. She is, however, a professional model with a degree in interior design from the De La Salle College of Saint Benilde.

For her, it was all in God’s perfect time. Three years ago, she also tried to join Binibing Pilipinas but did not push through because of some conflicts which she encountered. But with support from her family and friends, she never gave up in following her dreams.

“Pageants are highly celebrated in our country. They are very competitive and always highly anticipated events. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I could join the most prestigious competition in the Philippines, the Binibining Pilipinas, and much less win,” she said.

PLDT HOME ambassador

In a few days, Medina will fight to keep the Miss Universe crown in the Philippines, as the pageant holds its finals night in right here in the country. But before this Filipina beauty battle for the crown, she was as a PLDT HOME ambassador.

Home, for this stunner, is doing simple things like attending mass, sitting down and having conversations with her family. But there are times when they have to be apart. As a subscriber, PLDT HOME DSL is a bridge for their family to keeping their strong connection and rekindling fond memories.

“I have two brothers who work in the U.S. We are also quite clingy. Thankfully, PLDT HOME helps us stay connected no matter how far away they are,” Medina shared. Even more determined to share such an experience, Medina wants her fellow Filipinos to have the same strong connection at home.

“[It] is an honor because I can help let subscribers know and witness the high-speed connection it offers, and how it can make a difference in their lives,” she added. For Medina, her title is a privilege as well as an opportunity to be a blessing to her countrymen.

A heart for others

Undoubtedly, the stakes are high and the pressure is on for Medina. This only makes her even more determined to win the Miss Universe crown again. As she takes on this journey, she believes that being open to new things and experiences will allow her to grow even better as a person.

“Winning the crown will help me reach more Filipinos as an ambassador of goodwill, and if God permits, it is truly in my heart to be of service to others and do something great for my country,” Medina said. “Through being simple and having a heart that is centered for others, I will reach out and be the voice of those who want to be heard.”