Meiji Cruz on being in the ranks of Gloria Diaz, Megan Young, Gemma Cruz

Meiji Cruz / ARMIN P. ADINA

Meiji Cruz has transitioned to TV after pageantry, like so many other beauty queens. But two years since claiming the Philippines’ first Miss CosmoWorld victory, she said she is still giddy whenever people lump her alongside Gloria Diaz, Megan Young, and Gemma Cruz who were the first Filipino women to win in their respective international competitions.

After finishing as second runner-up in the 2021 Binibining Pilipinas pageant, Cruz was appointed as the Philippines’ first delegate to the Miss CosmoWorld pageant for the contest’s fifth edition in 2022. She won the title and a hefty prize money.

Diaz captured the Philippines’ first Miss Universe crown in 1969, while Young posted the country’s first Miss World win in 2013. Gemma became the first-ever Filipino woman to win in a global tilt when was crowned Miss International in 1964.

“It’s just gratefulness, honor, and pride in my heart. When I hear those names, oh my gosh, they are all my idols. So, [it’s like] wow, it’s really a humbling experience for me as well,” Cruz told INQUIRER.net at the sidelines of the event launching her as the newest ambassador for an intimate apparel brand earlier this month.

“I still get ‘kilig’ (giddy) whenever I hear that. I’m really just grateful in having this historic win for the Philippines. It’s really an honor to represent the country, and of course, to bring home the crown as the first Filipina Miss CosmoWorld,” she continued.

And as she turned 30 late last month, the TV host shared a crucial realization. “It really changed my perspective about womanhood, because before I used to conform to whatever society will tell you, how to be a woman. But as time goes by, you will realize that being authentic to yourself, being true to your core, will give you peace. And I believe I’m in that process,” she said.

With a pageant journey that spanned more than a decade, Cruz has gained a lot of wisdom that she hopes to share with aspiring beauty queens. “That’s my very purpose why I have Miss CosmoWorld Philippines. I feel it’s time to pay back, what I learned through the years, to the young generation of women to achieve their greater dreams,” she said.

“In a pageant, you will grow. You will know more about yourself. And also, you will meet a lot of people with the right opportunities, and I would like to create that platform as well, ” Cruz added.

Cruz appears weekdays on the PTV morning show “Rise and Shine Pilipinas,” where she is joined by another beauty queen, 2014 Miss Philippines-Air Diane Querrer.