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Beauty queens are often admired for their exceptional beauty, grace, confidence, wit, and compassion. They serve as inspiration for other women to become the best version of themselves.

But there's a Filipina beauty queen who didn't only slay in a beauty pageant, but also bagged a silver medal in the Indonesian martial art, pencak silat. She's none other than Miss Kalibo Aklan Ati-Atihan 2021, Cherry May Regalado.

In her interview with On Record, Cherry May said it has been her childhood dream to become a beauty queen. However, she felt disheartened when she was younger as she was often discriminated against for being a morena.

So, she set that dream aside for a while and pursued a career as an athlete.

Cherry May was a varsity player in college and went on to become part of the Philippine Pencak Silat Team.

Pencak Silat athlete Cherry May Regalado / Source: @silat_princess (IG)

Pencak silat is a Malay sport that originated in Indonesia. It involves full-body fighting that incorporates striking, grappling techniques, throwing, and weaponry.

During her interview with On Record, the beauty queen-athlete also shared why she fell in love with the Indonesian martial art.

“Pencak silat is a Malay sport. Pencak means artistic strike,” Cherry Mae said. “Ang maganda sa sport na 'to is binibigyan ng puntos 'yung defense, hindi lang 'yung attack. I fell in love with this sport dahil dun sa attitude, sa respect, at sa discipline na ini-inculcate ng sport na 'to.”

Cherry May also revealed that at one point, she had to juggle her studies and varsity training, in addition to joining beauty pageants.

So, after graduating from college, she decided to focus on her career as an athlete first and put her dream of becoming a beauty queen on the back burner.

So far, Cherry May has won several medals in the span of her career. Her biggest win so far is when she bagged the silver medal in the Pencak Silat Belgium Open in 2019.

Despite her success as an athlete, Cherry May never forgot about her dream of being a beauty queen.

So, this year, she vied for the crown in her hometown and was hailed Miss Kalibo Ati-Atihan 2021.

Miss Kalibo Ati-Atihan 2021, Cherry May Regalado / Source: @silat_princess (IG)

“Siguro po mahirap talaga iwasan 'pag passion mo talaga 'yung pag-pe-perform.

“Tsaka sa'kin 'yung beauty pageant is hindi lang siya pagandahan, kung hindi ito rin 'yung way to set the platform ng ana magkakaroon ka ng bigger scope to help people.”

Now, Cherry May is living her best life as both an athlete and a beauty queen. She said she still coaches her pencak silat students and junior athletes while fulfilling her duties and responsibilities as a Kalibo, Aklan ambassadress.

The beauty queen-athlete also shared some inspirational words to women like her who have big dreams.

“Never stop dreaming. Don't be afraid to fail. Don't be afraid to disappoint people. It is part of the process.”

For more inspiring stories like this, watch On Record every Sunday, 4:55 p.m. on GMA-7.

Viewers abroad can also watch On Record via GMA's flagship international channel, GMA Pinoy TV. For the program guide, visit www.gmapinoytv.com.

And for more lifestyle content, head out to GMA's Lifestyle page.

Speaking of beauty queens, check out the hottest photos of Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo.