It's in the genes: Pinay beauty queens who followed in their mothers' footsteps
There are no favored bets in pageantry, a leveled playing field where everyone has an equal shot at winning. Take it from these women who didn't inherit the crowns directly from their beauty queen mothers. Nonetheless, they received all the good genes and moral support they could get.
These daughters were hot on the heels of their role model moms, growing up to become confidently beautiful pageant candidates themselves.
Ahead, check out our list of mother-and-daughter tandems who share a love for pageantry.
Corrine and Carmelita "Menchie" Abalos
Menchie Abalos competed in Binibining Pilipinas in the 1980s before eventually becoming mayor of Mandaluyong City. Corrine, a former English teaching assistant in Spain, joined Miss Universe Philippines 2021, where she won Best in National Costume.
Aya Abesamis and Desiree Verdadero
Desiree Verdadero placed 3rd runner-up for the Philippines in Miss Universe 1984. Aya, a professional model, would participate twice in Binibining Pilipinas, becoming a finalist and then winning 1st runner up before later assuming the Binibining Pilipinas Grand International title (due to Samantha Lo's resignation). However, she wasn't able to compete in the international pageant as she has exceeded the maximum age for the pageant.
Michelle Marquez Dee and Melanie Marquez
Melanie Marquez is the Miss International 1979 and the youngest Miss International titleholder in history. Her 28-year-old daughter Michelle, meanwhile, won her first national pageant in 2019, clinching the title of Miss World Philippines. The same year, she represented the country at the Miss World stage and placed in the top 12. She was Celeste Cortesi's first runner-up or Miss Universe Philippines Tourism last year and is gunning again this year for the MUPH title.
Charlene and Elvie Gonzales
Elvie Gonzales' titles include Queen of Dance-O-Rama 1963, Bb. Ilang-Ilang 1964, Binibining Pilipinas 1965 1st runner-up, and Miss Press Photography 1965.
Almost three decades later, her daughter Charlene won Binibining Pilipinas Universe, representing the Philippines and finishing in the Top 6. Charlene gave one of the most iconic answers during the question and answer portion, where she was asked: "How many islands are in the Philippines?" to which she answered: "High tide or low tide?"
Ashley Subijano Montenegro and Cara Subijano
Cara Subijano won Binibining Pilipinas World in 1994 and ended up as a Miss World semifinalist. Little did she know that her daughter Ashley would follow her footsteps—in the same pageant, no less.
Ashley, was crowned as the very first Miss Charm Philippines in 2019 before later competing in Miss World Philippines in 2022.
