Dia Mate, the Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas. Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News
MANILA — Current Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas, Dia Mate, looked fit and fabulous during her send-off on Wednesday evening at the New World Hotel in Makati City.
Dia was radiant and impressed everyone in attendance, including ALV Pageant Circle’s Arnold Vegafria.
Vegafria described the singer-songwriter as a “total package” candidate, praising her beauty, dedication to her advocacies for mental health, neglected children, and sexual harassment victims.
“I’m so proud that Dia will be representing our country,” he said. “This year, our candidate is a total package.”
Dia shared her advocacy of using “music therapy as a tool to heal mental illness.”
“Growing up, I experienced depression, experienced anxiety,” the 23-year-old revealed.
“But one thing that truly helped me was using art as a way of therapy, and it was the safest way for me to do so. I would write songs at home.”
“I see it. They get so excited, and their eyes really light up every time I teach them a song or play on the piano,” she said.
Miss Grand International 2024 1st Runner-Up CJ Opiaza, who served as Dia’s pasarela coach, expressed pride in her student’s growth and determination.
“I saw her grow from day one. We had her training, and she improved a lot,” Opiaza said. “She’s really a good student. Mabait siya, nakikinig siya.”
Opiaza also shared some advice: “I want you to enjoy. Just feel the whole journey. Filipinos are really proud of you already.”
Winwyn Marquez, the first and only Filipina to be crowned Reina Hispanoamericana in 2017, offered similar advice to Dia.
Dia sais the best advise she received from the beauty queen is to focus on her own journey while having fun.
“If you’re too focused on winning the crown, you’re not going to be able to enjoy the process of it and live in the moment. You have to be able to be present in every event, and that’s what I’m going to do.”
Full of excitement, Dia teased her competition wardrobe, which she described as perfect for the Latin crowd due to its vibrant colors and style.
“For my national costume, I’m working with Ehrran Montoya,” she revealed.
She also shared that she has been practicing her Spanish to charm the crowd and the organization.
Together with Opiaza, Dia showcased a sample of her pasarela, which her core team described as a remarkable transformation from her early days.
“Ngayon, kita niyo naman paano siya magpasarela, diba? Super ikot siya ng ikot, parang hindi nababali tuhod niya. We’re so proud of you,” her makeup artist, Yaj Labeo, said in their message. “We have a good feeling [you will win].”
When asked about her training experience with Opiaza, Dia had nothing but praise: “She is the best pasarela trainer ever. She comes up with the most unique choreographies, and I’m so excited to show them off during the competition.”
Dia’s parents were also present at the send-off, making her emotional as they expressed their love and confidence in her abilities.
Mate is set to leave on Saturday, January 18, for Los Angeles, where she will stay briefly before heading to Bolivia. The competition finals will be held on February 9.
