World Class Queens of Asia Magazine would like to welcome amazing Queen Catherine Roxas Rodrigo Mrs. Classic Global Asian 2023.
Full name: Catherine Roxas Rodrigo
Title/Year: Mrs. Classic Global Asian 2023
Pageant System: Miss & Mrs. Global Asian
Age: 53 years old
Education Level: College Level
Zodiac sign: Sagittarius
Hobbies: house chores, riding my mountain bike, acting, long driving, dancing
Platform: Ambassadress of Women Empowerment and to Educate the Youth through Theater
Years competed: 1 year
Countries visited: Hongkong, Singapore, Malaysia, Macau
Likes: trips with family, bubbly friends, long walks, good music, plays, movies, fashion, cycling, good and healthy food, bazaars, cooking, productive time at work
Dislikes: aggressive, boastful and fake people, long queues, noisy crowd, polluted environment and untidy spaces
Status: Happily Married
World Class Queens of Asia Magazine: Please tell us about yourself.
I'm Catherine Roxas Rodrigo, Cathy for short, married and a 53 year-old mother of two from Antipolo City, Philippines. My eldest daughter is 32 years old and my youngest son is 8 years old, and yes, they are 24 years apart! I'm a Stage Actress, an avid Cyclist and works as a Business Development Manager for a BPO company named Shore360. I have been working in Sales and Business Development in the BPO industry for almost 20 years now.
World Class Queens of Asia Magazine: Please tell us about your education.
I am an alumna of St. Paul College of Pasig, Philippine Normal University and St. Scholastica's College where I took-up Mass Communications as my course.
World Class Queens of Asia Magazine: What does women Empowerment mean to you?
For me, the Empowered Woman is someone who embraces her own unique self and strives to become the best version of herself. She is not afraid to take on new challenges in order to improve and contribute to the goodness of her family and the society as a whole. She is out there to make a difference and to inspire others.
World Class Queens of Asia Magazine: Tell us about your pageant history.
I joined the first ever Mrs. Antipolo Pageant on December 2022 and was later on appointed by La Reinas Filipinas Organization to represent the Philippines in Melaka, Malaysia for the Mrs. Global Asian international pageant where I won the Mrs. Classic Global Asian crown on February 25, 2023. I was also awarded Best in Interview and 3rd place for Best in National Costume. The Mrs. Classic category of the Global Asian pageant is for women who are either married and/or have children and are aged over 45 years old.
World Class Queens of Asia Magazine: What inspired you to do your first pageant?
Aside from the glitz and glamor, I joined the pageantry in order to be part of meaningful projects and programs on charity, health, education, environmental and social activities. We women can do so much more on top of being wives and mothers. I want to show the world that we can excel in any field that we choose and make a difference in other people's lives.
World Class Queens of Asia Magazine: Why did you choose to compete for your current title?
I chose to compete for the Mrs. Classic Global Asian title because I loved the idea of women getting together regardless of age, size and color to empower each other and become limitless. It was highly recommended by the National Director that I join this pageant in order to showcase both my outer and inner beauty. It was also my first time traveling to Malaysia to meet and compete with fellow queens from other countries.
World Class Queens of Asia Magazine: To those unfamiliar with your pageant system please tell us what is it about?
Miss and Mrs. Global Asian was established in Malaysia and the pageant organization's advocacy is to promote Woman Empowerment by helping underprivileged individuals and even fur babies.
World Class Queens of Asia Magazine: What makes your director different from others?
My National Director, Cristhel Fraulein Gardoce Bulabon is herself a Beauty Queen of many titles that is why she is able to train and guide me well towards the winning path. We trained hard by practicing Q&A Interviews, catwalk, social graces and fashion styles. She made it fun too because she would usually treat us, her queens to outdoor trips, fine dining and she even sponsored my registration to join the Mrs. Classic Global Asian pageant held in Malaysia. We have had TV guesting, fashion shows, photo shoots, charity activities and billboard appearances. Most pageants and National Directors don't usually offer this kind of support. I'm glad and grateful that she is my ND.
World Class Queens of Asia Magazine: What are you being judged on during the competition?
We were judged with the way we answered the Closed Door and Finals Interview. There was also a competition for Best in National Costume, Best in Catwalk, Body Beautiful Award, Best in Evening Gown, Best in Sportswear, Most Photogenic and Most Friendly. I believe our scores were also based on the way we carried ourselves onstage and all throughout the pageant activities.
World Class Queens of Asia Magazine: Tell us about your experience during the competition.
It was a whole week of preparation and activities towards the Finals/Coronation Night. There were exciting activities prepared for us from cocktails night, luncheons, city tours, shopping, and a lot of photo shoots and interviews by the local and international Press. There was hardly enough time to sleep during the week-long event because at night we needed to practice our stage blockings and choreography for our special numbers and then needed to wake-up as early as 4am to prepare for the day's activities. Like me, I think everyone was tired but happy. I particularly enjoyed seeing the Petronas Tower and other sights in Kuala Lumpur as well as old relic buildings and a church built during the 1700s in Melaka, Malaysia.
World Class Queens of Asia Magazine: Who would you recommend your system to?
I would recommend women who want to inspire, be heard and want to make a difference to join the Miss and Mrs. Global Asian as well as other reputable pageant organizations. The pageantry promotes women empowerment as well as boosts confidence and gives great experience to the individual. Having a chance at a beauty title also means an opportunity to have a voice to help others by means of charity or advocacy to help resolve the issues of society.
World Class Queens of Asia Magazine: Tell us about your platform or what cause you volunteer for.
Growing-up close to my aunt who was a professor and renowned stage actress, I was taught that the world is a stage and we should all play our part properly and passionately. I realized that a child who has had some exposure to theater and the arts becomes more resilient and disciplined later on in life. That is why one of my main advocacies is to educate the Youth through theater. Another advocacy of mine is Women Empowerment and for me this simply means the preservation of one's physical and mental health in order to contribute to the goodness of society. When we are healthy, we are able to work and help others thereby making a difference. With women empowerment, we are able to become the best versions of ourselves and inspire others to do the same.
World Class Queens of Asia Magazine: What appearances have you done with your title?
There have been some TV and billboard appearances in the last eight (8) months plus a number of photoshoots, fashion shows, pageant events and VTRs for TV commercial projects. These were made possible through the efforts of my National Director. At my place of work, Shore360, our CEO appointed me to be the face/ambassadress of International Women's Month held last March and was involved in the charity for Ing Makababaying Aksyon (IMA) Foundation protecting battered women (and men). I also hosted the Philippine Normal University High School batch '88 Grand Reunion, as an international beauty title holder. Our local government also requested my presence among other winning Queens during the Councilors Assembly. Most recently, I was also invited as judge for the Miss Teen Hinapao 2023 held at Antipolo City, Philippines.
World Class Queens of Asia Magazine: What are some of your achievements?
After winning the Mrs. Classic Global Asian crown, I was awarded by my alma mater, PNU with a plaque for being an International Beauty Queen. At my workplace, I became Ambassadress for International Women's Month. I also received the Most Outstanding Beauty Queen Award under La Reinas Filipinas awarded by Philippine Fashion Trends.
Before winning the crown, there have been numerous awards given by my former employers such as Employee of the Month, Best Rookie of the Month, Best in Sales and many others. During my school years, I was able to attain some gold and bronze medals as well as special awards for subjects like literature, English and interpretative reading.
World Class Queens of Asia Magazine: What makes you stand out from all those other beautiful girls?
I am blessed with a good height for an Asian woman standing at 5'7' tall and I believe this helps me stand-out among the rest. My height particularly helps me attain audience impact when I am on stage partnered with my confidence to walk, project and "own" the stage which I attribute to my many years of performance acting on stage.
World Class Queens of Asia Magazine: Tell us about the moment your name was called out as the winner.
Up to now, it still feels surreal. I was happy enough to have been awarded Best in Interview. I didn't think I would bag the Mrs. Classic Global Asian crown because my opponent was outstanding. The moment my name was called, tears just started to flow and this made me worry how I will look in the photos. It was hard to hold back the tears but I did my best to smile for the cameras. I am grateful to have won the title.
World Class Queens of Asia Magazine: What does it mean to you to be a Beauty Queen?
For me, becoming a Beauty Queen is a privilege of a lifetime. Not everyone is given the chance to become one so it needs to be cherished and carefully used. There is power in beauty and with power comes great responsibility. We are in the public eye and have the power to influence others especially the youth so it is important to speak and behave accordingly as well as be presentable at all times. More than ever, my choices in life have to be well thought of and it should not be selfish or heedless. Good reputation, resiliency and sensitivity to others are key to living a good life especially that of a beauty title holder.
World Class Queens of Asia Magazine: How did competing in pageants help your life?
Aside from building self-esteem and confidence, joining beauty pageants helped me understand myself better and taught me to become an achiever. It provided me with a platform to showcase aspects of my beauty and intelligence. I never saw myself the same way after I joined beauty pageants.
World Class Queens of Asia Magazine: How did pageants help your self esteem and body image?
It helped me become more conscious about my mental and physical being. It's all about finding peace within myself and focusing on my purpose in life. It's finding inspiration in maintaining a steady weight and good eating habits. Most importantly, I find that building new relationships and nourishing old ones are equally important in attaining self-esteem and a good quality life.
World Class Queens of Asia Magazine: You are an inspiration to all the girls out there. How does it feel?
I am no less than flattered and touched by the well wishes and compliments I get as a Beauty Queen. I'm glad that I am able to inspire and influence others to keep reaching for their own stars and strive to become the best versions of themselves. If only I can contribute, even just a little to women and men alike, especially the youth in order to build their confidence and strive for excellence, that for me is already a huge achievement.
World Class Queens of Asia Magazine: What is your on-stage strategy to win the judges over?
My strategy to win the judges over is to exude Confidence with the capital "C". This means confidence in showing stage presence and confidence in speaking.
World Class Queens of Asia Magazine: How did you prepare for your competition?
In order to prepare for the competition, there had to be a lot of planning and researching. From the Q&A to the evening gowns, casual wear, wardrobe, all the way to the much-needed skin care and healthy diet in order to look good during the week-long event and most especially on the Coronation night.
World Class Queens of Asia Magazine: What are your tips for learning better pageant walk?
Don't force it! You can watch as many YouTube videos as you want to memorize each and every catwalk style but the key is to look good and natural in executing it. Focus on your personality while you do the walk so you are able to feel the moment. It helps a lot too to get some professional training so at least you know the mechanics but at the end of the day, it's all about finding your own style, timing and stride.
World Class Queens of Asia Magazine: What are your tips for choosing the right pageant dress?
My tips are quite simple. Memorize your body. Know your assets and weak parts so you can gauge the kind of pageant dress/gown that suits you. Many have attempted to wear flirty, too revealing or overly flashy styles not thinking if it will suit them. Have at least five (5) dresses/gowns to choose from and make sure that the color suits you. The pageantry is not about comfort but it is still important to choose a dress or gown that you can carry around and walk comfortably in especially if you will be wearing 4-6 inch high heels.
World Class Queens of Asia Magazine: What are your tips for winning an interview?
For this question, I think I can apply my favorite quote from one of William Shakespeare's plays, "To thine own self be true". Nothing beats being true to oneself in answering pageant questions. Of course, it is still vital to read-up and be in the know of current events but answers coming from both the mind and the heart is the winning formula.
World Class Queens of Asia Magazine: What is one mistake that you've made during competing you wish you could redo and fix?
One mistake I made that I wish I didn't do is when I asked one of the members of the Press to allow me to start over in answering his question. Although it was alright for him, I still felt that I was incapable and inexperienced just because nervousness and insecurity got the best of me. I was right away corrected by my National Director and the more I realized how big of a mistake this was. Moving on, I made sure to be alert and capable of facing the Press.
World Class Queens of Asia Magazine: What other mistakes are made by girls during the contest?
I noticed some of the Candidates did not wear their sash during our activities. Even if it was just regular breakfast or lunch at the hotel, it is important to wear the sash and carry the country's name whenever we get together. I also noticed that some Candidates did not pay attention to the choreography steps for our special number during practice. This obviously caused some delays and everyone was affected.
World Class Queens of Asia Magazine: Any modeling or acting experience?
For modelling, I appeared in two (2) Fashion Shows so far in the last eight (8) months: Mutya and Mrs. Antipolo Fashion Gala Night and Fashion Show for a Cause (for the benefit of Aeta Children) held at Olongapo City, Philippines. For acting, I am part of an alternative theater group called the Philippine Drama Company, established in 1984 and over the years have performed lead roles in plays such as The Love of Leonor Rivera, Junto Al Pasig and Portrait of the Artist as Filipino at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Philamlife and Metropolitan Theater. In 2021 during the pandemic, our theater group was given a grant by Pasig City Mayor, Vico Sotto to perform in an online play to celebrate Pasig City Day in the Philippines.
World Class Queens of Asia Magazine: What are your plans for 2023 as a Queen?
My plan is to continue my reign as Mrs. Classic Global Asian 2023 as I should. My pageant organization, La Reinas Filipinas, involves me in a number of projects such as charity works, photo and VTR shoots, TV and billboard appearances and pageant events. In doing these activities, I hope and pray to always put my best foot forward in order to be an inspiration to others, especially the youth and women who are at the verge of losing hope. As a Queen, it is important to always keep an open mind to endless possibilities and to stay positive. Keep reaching for the stars, that is my plan!
World Class Queens of Asia Magazine: What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?
Being an International Queen at age 53 years old is a big achievement for me. It has always been my dream to be a beauty queen but it was only in 2022 that my stars aligned when I took a leap of faith to join the local and international pageants. That said, I believe I represent "second chances in life" and would like to be remembered as someone who never gave-up on her dream. Find your purpose and stand your ground. Keep learning, keep trying, keep going and keep fighting for your dreams! I hope everyone reading this will never give-up on their dreams as well. Thank you.
International Director: Cristhel Fraulein Gardoce Bulabon
National Director: Cristhel Fraulein Gardoce Bulabon
Your Local Director: Cristhel Fraulein Gardoce Bulabon
Pageant website: https://www.facebook.com/missmrsglobalasian
Name of the Photographer: Jyruz Borromeo
Location Shoot: Creative Studio (Antipolo City, Philippines)
https://www.facebook.com/CreativeStudio2K21 World Class American Royalty Magazine would like to say thank you for this amazing interview!
Catherine Roxas Rodrigo Mrs. Classic Global Asian 2023, World Class Queens of Asia Magazine, Photo by Jyruz Borromeo
Interview by Derek Tokarzewski
Owner/Editor in Chief
Mr WorldClass 2023
Mr United Nations 2018
Platform: Women Empowerment
