Kapuso stars who were former beauty queens

Several Kapuso stars once sashayed on pageant stages as beauty queens before entering show business.

Now, they are starring in teleseryes, hosting shows, and doing acting stints on GMA-7.

Some of these gorgeous queens include Megan Young, Winwyn Marquez, Maxine Medina, Michelle Dee, Sophia Senoron, Thia Thomalla, and Kelley Day.

Maxine and Thia are currently starring in the series "First Yaya."

Meanwhile, their co-star in the series, Sanya Lopez, recently said she is willing to be trained by Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach if she decides to join a beauty pageant.

Fans couldn't help but wonder if Sanya was interested, especially now that the Miss Universe Philippines had opened its applications for the 2021 pageant.

Will Sanya join their ranks soon? Only time will tell, but let's take a look at what these ladies achieved on the pageant stage.

1. Megan Young

Megan Young is the first Filipina to win Miss World in 2013, besting 126 candidates from all over the globe.

In the Q&A portion in the 2013 pageant, Megan was asked, "Why should you be crowned Miss World?" She answered: "I treasure a core value of humanity and that guides people why they act the way they do."

"I will use this to show other people how they can understand each other... as one, we can help society," she added.

Megan is now happily married to her fellow Kapuso Mikael Daez. She has starred in several shows after her pageant stint including "Marimar," "Alyas Robinhood," and "The Stepdaughters," among others.

2. Winwyn Marquez

Winwyn Marquez is the first Asian and Filipina to win the Miss Reina Hispanoamericana title on the country's first try.

During the competition, Winwyn bagged several awards including Miss Ipanema at the second Gala de la Belleza (Gala of Beauty) and placing first runner up in the Miss Personalidad Udabol competition, where she answered a special jury question.

Bolivian newspapers have been featuring Wyn as the "La Reina De Asia," even before she arrived in Bolivia to compete.

During the Q&A portion, Winyn was asked: "How would you promote Hispanic Americana culture with language barriers?"

Winwyn's well-thought-out answer was, "Language can be learned, but the will and determination to contribute something to the organization cannot. It has to come from the heart and it has to be natural."

"I believe that kindness is a universal language. If you treat people with tolerance, patience, and love, you will understand each other. Hispanic culture is not about language only. It's about love for God, love for country, love for history and culture, and love for family."

"As a Filipina with a unique heritage, I have instilled that. I am ready to promote the Hispanic culture, not just in Asia, but in the whole world. It is time to celebrate the Hispanic culture. It is meant to be celebrated."

Winwyn appeared in romantic comedy series "Owe My Love" starring Lovi Poe and Benjamin Alves.

3. Maxine Medina

Maxine Medina made it to Miss Universe competition's Top 6 in 2017 before her pageant journey came to an end during the grand coronation event.

In the Q&A portion, Miss Universe host Steve Harvey asked Maxine Medina the question, "What is the most significant change you've seen in the world in the last 10 years?"

Medina answered, "In the last 10 years of being here in the world, is that I saw all the people bringing in one event like this, Miss Universe. And it's something big to us that we are one, as one nation we are all together."

Filipinos were expecting a back to back win as the queen crowned before her is Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach.

Throughout the competition, Medina maintained a sweet disposition amid criticism and remained grateful for the support of her family and fans.

Maxine is currently starring as Lorraine Prado in the teleserye "First Yaya" with Sanya and Gabby Concepcion.

4. Michelle Dee

Michelle Dee finished her stint at the Top 12 of the Miss World 2019 pageant.

She was a top contender prior to the coronation event held in London, securing a spot early on at the Top 40 after winning the Head to Head Challenge against some of her co-candidates.

Her advocacy, autism awareness, also reached the Final 20 in the pageant's "Beauty with a Purpose" program.

The beauty queen, actress, and model also became the Goodwill Ambassador by the Autism Society Philippines (ASP).

She is the daughter of former beauty queen Melanie Marquez, who won Miss International 1979.

5. Thia Thomalla

Cynthia "Thia" Thomalla made history in 2018 after she became the First Filipina to win Miss Eco International, besting 52 other candidates.

In the Q&A portion, Thia was asked, "What do you think is the most important thing that beauty pageants add to people and the world?"

Cynthia answered: "I think the most relevant thing that we beauty queens can add to the world is raising awareness on our own causes. For example, the Miss Eco International is raising the advocacy of sustainable tourism and protecting the environment. And that is the main point of doing beauty pageants, by raising our voices to help the earth."

The Filipino-German beauty queen became a Kapuso in 2018. She starred in several shows including "The Gift" and "First Yaya."

6. Sophia Senoron

Sophia Senoron was the first Filipina and first-ever winner to take home the Miss Multinational title in 2018 at the coronation event in India.

Aside from winning the crown, Sophia also brought home two special awards: Miss Environment and Miss Speech.

Sophia, who only once dreamed to become a courtside reporter back in her days as a student in San Beda, will now be the host of the NCAA's new sports program through GTV with seasoned sportscaster and NCAA analyst Martin Javier.

7. Kelley Day

Kelley Day finished as the first runner-up in the Miss Eco International pageant last April. She also bagged the Best National Costume award.

She had to do refresher training for the international pageant held in Egypt after it was postponed due to the pandemic.

The Filipino-British beauty queen and actress starred in a GMA drama series "Dahil sa Pag-Ibig" prior to joining the Miss World Philippines in 2019, where she took home the Miss Eco Philippines crown.

Kelley has been open about suffering from alopecia, an auto-immune disease that causes hair loss.

—MGP, GMA News