Moms and Dads

8 Mother and Daughters Who Joined Beauty Pageants

by Alexa Villano
March 11, 2022

Beauty definitely runs in the family and these mother and daughter tandems in the beauty pageant world prove it!

The Philippines love beauty pageants and are always looking forward to the children of beauty queens whose daughters will likely follow in their mom or dad’s footsteps in the industry. These 8 pairs of mother and daughter tandems are proof that there is nothing wrong with following one’s footsteps. A lot of them have actually given the honor to the country in their time.

Melanie Marquez and Michelle Dee

In 1979, Melanie Marquez brought home the country’s third Miss International crown. Aside from being a beauty queen, Melanie also became one of the country’s top models and actresses. She would later become famous for her Melanism lines such as “Don’t judge my brother, he’s not a book” and more.

Almost four decades later in 2019, Michelle Dee, Melanie’s daughter with former actor Derek Dee won the title of Miss World Philippines. She competed in the pageant held in London and placed in the Top 12.

Last February, Michelle confirmed that she was joining Miss Universe Philippines 2022. She is currently competing for a Top 30 spot with the finals to be held this April.

Desiree Verdadero and Aya Abesamis

In 1984, Desiree Verdadero became the country’s representative in the Miss Universe pageant and placed 3rd runner-up. Desiree would become one of the country’s top models, walking for the likes of fashion designers like Renee Salud who was one of her mentors.

In 2018, Desiree’s daughter Aya Abesamis took part in the Bb. Pilipinas pageant and was among the top finalists. She would later try again in 2019, winning 1st runner-up and assuming the Bb. Pilipinas Grand International title after the original winner, Samantha Lo resigned.

Aya is currently in the US, where she signed up with Ford Modeling Agency.

Cara Subijano and Ashley Subijano-Montenegro

Filipino pageants remember Cara Subijano, the tall pretty lady who won the Bb. Pilipinas World in 1994. She went on to represent the country in Miss World in South Africa, where she was a semifinalist.

Fast forward three decades later, her daughter Ashley is set to compete in the Miss Charm pageant in Vietnam this April. Ashley won the title in 2019 and was set to compete in the 2020 competition but was postponed due to the pandemic. As she prepares for the competition, Ashley is keeping herself busy juggling school and modeling.

Due to the postponement of the Miss Charm pageant again, Ashley announced that she screened for another pageant. On Thursday, April 21, she was announced as one of the 35 candidates for Miss World Philippines.

Elvie Gonzalez and Charlene Gonzalez

Elvie Gonzalez was named Queen of Dance-O-Rama in August 1963, was Bb. Ilang-Ilang in 1964, and was a runner-up in the 1965 Bb. Pilipinas won by Louise Aurelio Vail. She also held the title of Miss Press Photography 1965.

In 1994, Elvie’s daughter Charlene won the Bb. Pilipinas Universe crown. She represented the country in the pageant held in Manila and ended with a Top 6 placement.

Charlene is now happily living a quiet life with her husband, actor Aga Muhlach and occasionally appears in showbiz events.

Alice Crisostomo and Mutya Crisostomo Laxa

Alice Crisostomo competed in the 1970 Miss Asia Quest and placed as 1st runner-up to Zeenat Aman of India. She would later enter showbiz and meet the late Tony Ferrer, who became her husband.

Alice’s daughter Mutya joined Mutya ng Pilipinas in 1990 and won the title of Mutya ng Pilipinas Asia Pacific. She competed in the 1992 Miss Asia Pacific competition where she placed 2nd runner-up.

Following her reign, Mutya was active in showbiz before she worked in the corporate world. She is now happily married with two kids and runs her own business called Sprinkle.

Mary Jane Umali and Jasmine Umali

Jasmine Umali caught everyone’s attention as a model. But she is also the daughter of two titleholders – Mary Jane Umali, who placed 2nd runner-up in Mutya ng Pilipinas 1989, and Vince Pinto, 1997 Manhunt International 2nd runner-up.

Jasmine screened for Miss World Philippines but later auditioned for Miss Universe Philippines where she was a finalist.

Fans are currently waiting for when Jasmine will make a comeback in the pageant scene.

Chiqui Brosas and Regina Hahn

In 1975 Rose Marie “Chiqui” Brosas places 4th runner-up in the Miss Universe Pageant. In 2009, her daughter Regina Hahn competed in the Bb. Pilipinas pageant, where she got 2nd runner-up.

Regina is now happily married and raising a family.

Carmelita “Menchie” Abalos and Corrine Abalos

Before she was mayor of Mandaluyong City, Menchie Abalos first joined Bb. Pilipinas in the ’80s where she was a candidate.

In 2021, her daughter Maria. Corazon “Corrine” Abalos joined Miss Universe Philippines and won the Best in National Costume award. Corrine is currently busy as a model and talent of Empire Mercator Talent Agency.

Fans are keeping an eye on future queens and kings

Beauty pageant fans just cannot get enough of family members who follow the footsteps of their mom or dads who competed in pageants and modeling competitions. As early as now, a lot are looking forward to the day they’ll see the kids on stage. But remember, let them follow their own path.