Miss Universe PH teen queen Raven Doctor shows wisdom beyond her years

The Miss Philippines-Eco Teen International Raven Doctor. Image: INQUIRER.net/Armin P. Adina

Just days after her proclamation as the new The Miss Philippines-Eco Teen International, 2024 Miss Universe Philippines semifinalist Raven Doctor impressed spectators with her remarkable speaking prowess, something that has made observers declare that she will certainly make the country proud as she embarks on her first-ever journey to a global crown.

Doctor represented Palawan at the 2024 Miss Universe Philippines pageant in May, where she advanced to the Top 20. As the only teen queen in the roster, her selection for the national title she now holds may be by default. But she has proven that her age is not her lone qualification for the crown.

A communication student at the National University, Doctor’s gift of gab belies her age. With her confident command of any conversation, the 18-year-old lass can run circles around even the most seasoned of contestants. And with a towering frame that comes with a glowing, dusky complexion, she is one formidable contender that the other delegates should keep an eye on.

Doctor was presented to a group of media scribes and online content creators at a press conference held in Pasig City on Tuesday, Aug. 6. There, she confidently took on every question thrown at her, revealing not only her eloquence but also her excellent grasp of a multitude of subjects, mostly about the environment which is the main thrust of the international pageant that she will join.

“One thing that interests me in Miss Eco Teen International, actually, is that it’s really focused on environmental preservation. And for someone who grew up in a tourist destination that is community-based, at a young age I was very conscious [of] the things that I do, the things that I buy. I’ve always made sure that the environment would be part of my decision-making, because I was raised in a household where it is truly valued, and the environment is truly loved,” she said.

Doctor will also ride on the Philippines’ impressive showing in the Miss Eco Teen International pageant, with every Filipino delegate placing each time, including Roberta Tamondong who won in 2020, and Tatyana Austria and Beatriz McLelland who were first runners-up in 2021 and 2022, respectively.

When INQUIRER.net asked for her thoughts about the Philippines’ strong showing in the pageant, she said, “Maybe because we’re so blessed with natural resources, and so we are well aware on how important it is to preserve it and conserve it as well. And we are Pinays, we are known for being a fighter. And I am so proud of the previous winners, and the previous girls who competed in the Miss Eco Teen International who placed really high. And I hope to continue the legacy.”

She added: “One thing about Filipinas is that when we set our mind [on] something, we do it with full pride, with our 100 percent, we give it our all. And I believe that that is one of the reasons why we place so high in a lot of the pageants, specifically the Miss Eco Teen International.”

As the Philippines’ representative in the Miss Eco Teen International pageant, Doctor has made it her mission to encourage her fellow youth to adopt an eco-friendly lifestyle. “We can take baby steps, and I believe that that’s all that matters. All we have to do is have the willingness to contribute something to the environment, and, of course, the awareness to it,” she said.

Doctor acknowledged that there is pressure in being a delegate from the Philippines. “I would want to believe that that kind of pressure is a good thing, because it means that I’m carrying a very supportive support system with me, and I am so proud that the Philippines [has] been placing so high for the past couple of years. And we are on the positive side, and we hope to continue the legacy,” she said.

Her title is under The Miss Philippines, a sister brand of the Miss Universe Philippines pageant. Organizer Empire Philippines previously held a national search to select delegates for the other franchises, but it opted to choose this year’s titleholders from those who advanced to the Top 20 of the 2024 Miss Universe Philippines pageant.

Here are the other ladies who received national crowns: The Miss Philippines-Cosmo 2024 Ahtisa Manalo, The Miss Philippines-Supranational 2025 Tarah Valencia, The Miss Philippines-Charm 2025 Cyrille Payumo, The Miss Philippines-Eco International 2025 Alexie Mae Brooks, and The Miss Philippines-Charm 2024 Kayla Jean Carter.

The 2024 Miss Eco Teen International pageant will be held in Egypt in October. The competition is the young counterpart of the Miss Eco International pageant where two Filipino women have already won.