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Maribel Medrano pushes for more beauty pageants for mothers. Handout

Article (news)

Josh Mercado

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1775776919326image1 (1).jpeg" style="width:655px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="655" alt="Maribel Medrano talks about journey. Handout "/>Maribel Medrano talks about journey. Handout </div>Although there are a lot of forthcoming beauty pageants for mothers, they have not yet gained widespread recognition since, sadly, many still prefer to honor young women.With the launch of ModelMom International 2026, mothers of different backgrounds will be able to share the same stage, empowering one another and recognizing their respective activism.Among the handpicked beauty queens to receive recognition on May 31 is entrepreneur, volunteer health educator, and mother Maribel Medrano, who has been quietly championing financial literacy and health security for years.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1775776967984image2.jpeg" style="width:655px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="655" alt="ModelMom International celebrates mothers. Handout "/>ModelMom International celebrates mothers. Handout </div>When asked about financial literacy, Medrano, who runs businesses, said it all began when she became a single parent (but later found a partner). “At the age of 21, I became a single mother, which had a significant impact on my development as a woman. At that young age, I had to think about how to live and provide a better future for my children. That was the beginning of my understanding of the worth of money,” she shared with ABS-CBN News.Medrano admitted it was &quot;difficult at first to accept that I had to do everything on my own. It still amazes me how I accomplished it. I suppose as women, we constantly find ways with all our hearts and souls.”Years later, her determination was tested again when her middle child was diagnosed with lupus, recalling spending Christmas in the hospital.“While those moments were physically, emotionally, and monetarily exhausting, they also made me proud of myself for overcoming them. You cannot dismiss women&#x27;s strength,” she told ABS-CBN News.“Kapag may sakit ang anak mo, hindi mo puwedeng ipakita na mahina ka. Ikaw dapat ang lakas niya. Iiyak tayo sa likod nila pero babalik at haharapin natin sila nang nakatawa,” she added.<div> </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1775777012264image4 (2).jpeg" style="width:655px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="655" alt="Maribel Medrano pushes for more beauty pageants for mothers. Handout "/>Maribel Medrano pushes for more beauty pageants for mothers. Handout </div>Following her child&#x27;s health scare, she began advocating for health security. Despite her busy schedule as a mother and entrepreneur, she continues to volunteer as a health educator, giving inspirational talks alongside her friends who work in healthcare.“While the specialists provide the facts, I offer the stories that have strengthened me and my child. Families need someone who can uplift their spirits during tough times,” she said.The beauty queen also emphasized her advocacy for more mother-focused beauty pageants and their recognition during her interview with ABS-CBN News.“I don&#x27;t understand why certain people always advise us mothers to focus on one thing when we can do so much more — not just for our families, but also for the community. We need more beauty pageants for mothers to demonstrate that we excel in so many areas,” she expressed.“Naalala ko ‘yung mga nagsasabi na bakit sumasali pa sa pageant. Hindi naman daw appealing. Let’s just support each other. Watching beauty pageants for moms is inspiring because you get to witness how these moms work hard, look amazing, and show off their other sides,” she continued.Appealing to the public, she ended, “And I hope that more people would support and watch beauty pageants for mothers. It&#x27;s good that we exist, but it&#x27;d be much better if the general public celebrated us in the same manner that they do pageants for young women.”

With the launch of ModelMom International 2026, mothers of different backgrounds will be able to share the same stage, empowering one another and recognizing their respective activism.

With the launch of ModelMom International 2026, mothers of different backgrounds will be able to share the same stage, empowering one another and recognizing their respective activism.

ModelMom International puts spotlight on mothers in pageantry

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Pageants and Beauty Queens

ModelMom International puts spotlight on mothers in pageantry

Josh Mercado

Published April 10, 2026 01:03 PM PHT

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Updated April 10, 2026 02:54 PM PHT

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