Salvacion Vargas Edelman Mrs. Lifetime Queen Universe 2025

Derek Tokarzewski
May 10
15 min read

Updated: May 11

World Class Beauty Queens Magazine pageant interview with an incredible Salvacion Vargas Edelman Mrs. Lifetime Queen Universe 2025

Full Name: Salvacion Vargas Edelman (Nickname: Salve)

Title/Year: Mrs. Philippines World International Pro 2021; Ms. World International Elegance 2021; Director of the Year 2024-2025; Mrs. Lifetime Queen Universe 2025

Pageant System: MS World International; Ms. Mrs. Universe

Age: 72

Education Level: BA, MBA in Business Administration, Major in Management

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Hobbies: Singing, Dancing, Reading, Traveling, Emceeing, Producing, Hosting, Speaking, Volunteering. Serving, Lecturing, Writing!

Platform: Charter President of Las Vegas Twin Lakes Lions Club: Humanitarian services both local and worldwide; Founding President of Rising Asian Pacific Americans Coalition for Diversity: Advocating cultural diversity in the performing arts.

Countries Visited: Philippines, Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Guam, Taipei, Jordan, Pakistan, Mexico, Bahamas, Germany, Holland, Switzerland, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Austria, Lichtenstein, Finland, Canada, Australia, Korea, USA!

Likes and Dislikes: I like meeting people from around the world, volunteering, serving our diverse community, singing, dancing, public speaking, hosting, and producing shows. I dislike toxic, negative, disrespectful, arrogant, and combative people!

Current Status: I have been happily married to Paul Edelman since 2006.

World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: Can you share a bit about who you are? Like, what are your passions outside of the pageant world? I was born and raised in the Philippines. I started singing when I was 5 years old. I traveled around the world as a Crooner/Lead Singer from 1975 to 1980 and sang in various languages! I migrated to San Francisco, USA, in 1980, continued performing while working for the Bechtel Corporation; also taught 5- to 18-year-olds voice lessons and performing arts for 10 years; produced and hosted their annual recital, one of my greatest achievements! I moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1996 where, currently, I am in the real estate business; a licensed real estate professional for over 22 years! I am the charter president of the Las Vegas Twin Lakes Lions Club (chartered by Lions Clubs International (the largest humanitarian service organization in the world); founder and president of the Rising Asian Pacific Americans Coalition for Diversity; engaged in all aspects of the Filipino American and other Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities in Southern Nevada; advocating cultural diversity in the performing arts! I am also the Asian Pacific Correspondent and Columnist for the Philippine Times of Southern Nevada! Currently, serving as Lector and Eucharistic Minister of Holy Communion at St. Joseph, Husband of Mary, Roman Catholic Church in Las Vegas!

World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: I’m curious about your education journey. What's it been like for you, any particular highlights, or challenges? My mother, Rosario Santelices Vargas, a public-school teacher for 36 years, instilled in me the importance of education. Although I loved school, I was not allowed phone calls, TV or anything else until homework was done. Despite these "restrictions," I finished high school at Jose P. Laurel High School in Project 4, Quezon Cty and college at the University of the East in Manila, Philippines with honors. Later, while working for the Bechtel Corporation in San Francisco, I pursued my higher education and earned my bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in business administration, major in management, from the Western States University in Doniphan, Missouri, USA.

World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: Women's empowerment is such a key topic. What does it mean to you personally? As a multi-awarded Filipino American community leader, I am a firm believer in the slogan: Engage! Educate! Empower! Inspire! As a Pageant Director, I empower other women by being a resolute mentor to them. In all humility, I consider myself an empowered woman although, admittedly, I am far from being a "raving beauty", nor am I the smartest or most successful, but I have always worked on elevating whatever God-given talents, skills, and abilities I possess. Knowing that I have done, not only my personal best in everything I do but also to go "above and beyond,” gives me tremendous confidence and self-empowerment to be able to serve and elevate the lives of others. After all, we are here on earth for each other!

World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: How did you get into pageants? What sparked your interest initially? My friend, Kat Ray, Ms. Senior Nevada 2013 encouraged me to join the pageant. I thought, why not? It would be a little girl's dream-come- true. As a woman in my sixties at the time, it would be a respite from the "same old, same old" routine I had fallen into real estate, community service projects, community events, concerts, and TV Shows. Although they were rewarding and gratifying, I had to do something joyful and fun! So, I joined the MS. Senior Nevada in 2015 as Ms. Senior Las Vegas, and what an adventure it has been! To inspire and influence other women as well, is the icing on the cake!

World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What motivated you to participate in your first pageant? My Friend, Kat Ray, Ms. Senior Nevada 2013, made all the arrangements for me to join and finally compete in the Ms. Senior Nevada Pageant in 2015 as Ms. Senior Las Vegas. So, that was easy, fun, and empowering. When I met the reigning Ms. Senior Nevada 2014, Audrey Smith and the other candidates at South Point Hotel and Casino, we all became friends instantly. That was a defining moment for me. We have all kept the friendship and sisterhood since then.

World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: Why did you choose to compete for your current title? What made it stand out for you? As a Filipino American living in this country for over 45 years, I am truly proud and honored to represent my country as Mrs. Philippines World International Pro 2021 and was crowned Ms. World International Elegance 2021. The Philippines is extraordinarily rich in heritage, culture, customs, and traditions; and I love sharing them with other Queens from around the Globe. I am also proud to teach them a few words in Tagalog, my native language. I am deeply honored to be the Senior Beauty Queen Ambassador for my country of birth, the Beautiful Islands of the Philippines!

World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: I'd love to know more about your pageant system. Could you explain what it is all about? Our Ms. World International and Ms. Universe Pageant are a four-night and five-day team-building experience where delegates bond and strengthen each other through supportive activities in a structured and glamorous environment. Delegates participate in group challenges as well as four phases of individual competitions highlighting each delegate's unique beauty, modeling ability, and camera appeal! The Ms. World Corporation is in its 18th year of producing international and national competitions for women to highlight their achievements. The Ms. World International pageant has been held in countries across the globe promoting tourism, philanthropy, and personal growth. Formerly operating from Sao Paulo, Brazil, Ms. World International Corporation is now collaborating with several US television network content providers and production companies. Ms. World International Corp. offers its contestants the most transparent scoring and judging application in the industry. Our goal is to Inspire women from every country, continent, and culture to come together, in the spirit of competition, to share their passions and promote their platforms on an international stage. We provide each of our queens with a world-class experience and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What do you think sets your pageant director apart from others? As the State Pageant Director of Nevada, I organized and hosted my Annual Queens Ball and Coronation Night in March, celebrated Women's History Month as well; held a Joint Queens Celebration Night in April. All the Queens attendees were required to wear their crowns and sashes and encouraged to highlight their talents in special performances. These events were smash hits; successfully hosting them since 2015! I am especially proud of creating my Pageant Boot Camp Training; a 3-day training program for contestants - to enhance their chances of winning. I have used pageantry to celebrate cultural diversity and women's empowerment especially among (but not limited to) the Asian Pacific American community. I was honored and crowned as Mrs. Lifetime Queen Universe during the Ms. Mrs. Universe 2025 Pageant Coronation Day on April 11, 2025, at the Orleans Hotel Showroom. Guess I must be doing something right!

World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: During competitions, what are the key things you are judged on? The following are the key things we are judged on:

Facial Expression: This is based on the delegates facial beauty and use of different facial expressions in front of the camera.

Physical Fitness: This is based on the delegate’s confidence with her figure and fitness level.

Presentation: This is based on the delegates’ performance, creativity, and execution in that specific phase of competition.

Camera Appeal: This is based on the delegates showmanship, and ability to connect with the viewers.

Personality Projection: This is based on the delegates’ ability to entertain in the given environment using her personality.

World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What’s your competition experience been like? Any memorable moments or learnings? From my first pageant at 62-years old as Ms. Senior Las Vegas (Ms. Senior Nevada Pageant 2015 at South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas) to my last at 68-years old as Mrs. Philippines World International and crowned as Ms. World International Elegance (Ms. World International Pageant 2021 in Miami, Florida), it has been a truly amazing journey which I hope to stay on for a very long time, God be willing! How empowering it is for women of a certain age to still be recognized for beauty and for all the wonderful and lasting experiences of a well-lived life. I invite women of all ages to join us in this adventure of a lifetime.

World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: Would you recommend your pageant system to others? If so, why? Yes, absolutely! In my opinion, the Ms. World International Pageant is the best in what it does. Its presence worldwide and collaboration with television networks and content providers in the US are paramount in highlighting the achievements of women of all ages. As Mrs. Philippines World Intenational Pro, Ms. World International Elegance, Nevada State Director, National Director, Director of the Year, and Mrs. Lifetime Queen Universe, it is extremely rewarding and gratifying for me to be included among the most beautiful, multi-talented, happy, highly educated, accomplished, service-oriented, well-traveled, blessed, thankful, and grateful Queens!

World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: Tell me about your advocacy or volunteer work. What causes are you passionate about? I am a multi-awarded Filipino American Community Leader for over 45 years! As the Charter President of the Las Vegas Twin Lakes Lions Club, we provide eye care, including vision screenings, eyeglasses and eye surgeries to the disadvantaged; food distribution to the homeless; send medical missions to the Philippines, provide clothes and toys to the local home for battered women and children; support and celebrate veterans' causes and events, to name a few. As the Founder and President of the Rising Asian Pacific Americans Coalition for Diversity, a 501(c) (3) Non-Profit Organization, we advocate for the local community, provide health and wellness programs, citizenship workshops, and cultural performances, all in the interest of unity in diversity.

World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: With your title, what kinds of appearances or activities have you been involved in? I am frequently invited to sing the US and Philippine National Anthems, as well as Emcee, host and/or perform in several community events, concerts, and shows. I also attend many seminars, town halls and roundtable meetings as the keynote speaker. I organize and host my Lions Club's community service projects and fundraisers as well as RAPACD's. And, of course, I organized and hosted the Annual Queens Ball, Women's History Month, Joint Coronation Night for the Ms. and Mrs. Universe 2025 and the Queens Celebration Night 2025. As Director of the Year 2024, I was featured in the Word Class Beauty Queens Magazine in October, 2024; I was also recognized, honored, and crowned as Mrs. Lifetime Queen Universe during the Ms. and Mrs. Universe Pageant 2025 Coronation Day held at the Orleans Hotel Showroom in Fabulous Las Vegas.

World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: Can you share some of your achievements, both in and outside of pageantry? Traveled the world as an international performing artist and sang in various languages; taught voice lessons and performing arts to children and young adults in San Francisco; Charter President of the Las Vegas Twin Lakes Lions Club (under the jurisdiction of Lions Clubs International), Founder and President of Rising Asian Pacific Americans Coalition for Diversity; Ms. Senior Las Vegas 2015; Best Talent Awardee and 3rd Runner-up at the Ms. Senior Nevada Pageant in 2015; Ms. Senior Asia Pacific Universe 2017. Mrs. Philippines World International Pro 2021, and Ms. World International Elegance 2021; Recognized and Honored as one of the 200 Distinguished Women in Nevada; Recognized and Honored as one of 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the World by FWN; Recipient of the Jefferson Award for Outstanding Public and Community Service in 2015 by FAHAM; Community Leadership Award by NAFFAA in 2016; Rumi Awards for Outstanding Community and Business Leader 2016; Leadership, Humanitarian, Philanthropy Award by the Filipino American Heritage and Arts Museum 2017, 2018, 2019 as well as Innovator Award, Protector of Legacy and Artist of the Year Award in 2019; Recipient of the Newsmaker of the Year Award presented by the Philippine Times of Southern Nevada; Recipient of several Lifetime Achievement Awards and Outstanding Woman of the Year from Fil-Am TV and Fil-Am News, Cavite Association of Nevada, Rising Asian Pacific Americans Coalition for Diversity, Las Vegas Twin Lakes Lions Club 2021-2024; Lion of the Year Award for 2 consecutive years, 2021-2022 and 2022-2023; Recipient of President's Award from the National Federation of Filipino American Associations in 2024; Recipient of the Master Key Award 2024 and several humanitarian awards from the Lions Clubs International; Awarded 3 Honorary Doctorate Degrees from Abide University in 2024; Director of the Year 2024-2025; and Mrs. Lifetime Queen Universe 2025! I am truly Thankful, Grateful, and Blessed to have been awarded, recognized, appreciated, and honored through the years of serving our community!

World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: In such a competitive field, what do you think makes you stand out? Other than my achievements and God-given talents, I do believe I have a natural charisma, authencity, elegance and style, positive and winning attitude, great love and enthusiasm for life, plus a killer smile to boot! I am also a 72-year-old breast cancer survivor since 2022 and cancer-free since 2023; inspiring women to do their self-examinations and mammograms, urging them to take better care of themselves and go after their dreams NOW for TOMORROW is promised to no one. And yes, that includes being a beauty pageant winner! World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: I can only imagine how it feels to win. What was going through your mind when your name was announced as the winner? Wow, I did it! I am the oldest candidate at 68 years old and yet I won. I am truly thankful, grateful, and blessed. Now, I can honestly inspire other senior ladies that if I can do it, they certainly can too. I am a living proof that age is just a number!

World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What does be a Beauty Queen mean to you? To me, a beauty queen is not just about wearing a crown; it is about the journey of self-discovery, personal growth, fulfilling lifelong dreams, and making a positive influence in the lives of others. As a beauty queen, I have learned to believe in myself, embrace my uniqueness, and let beauty radiate from within. A true queen knows that her crown is earned with her heart and soul.

World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: How have pageants impacted your life? I have inspired other women to pursue their passions and embrace their uniqueness, thereby making changes in their own lives with courage and confidence. I feel that I have used the beauty pageant stage as a platform for personal empowerment, embracing diversity, friendships, sisterhood, and unity beyond just physical beauty. For over 10 years, I have encouraged many women to join the Beauty Pageants not for anybody else but for themselves. I have helped women of all ages develop their confidence, poise, public speaking, talents, and interview skills. I have encouraged community involvement, volunteerism, and charitable work as well as education and scholastic endeavors.

World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: How have pageants influenced your self-esteem and body image? Since joining Beauty Pageants, I have learned to carry myself with poise, grace, and confidence on stage and off. My posture is straighter, my walk intentional but graceful; my public speeches, presentations and communications are more eloquent, articulate, powerful, and effective. All these traits have enhanced my personal, professional, and social life.

World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: You’re an inspiration to many. How does that feel, and what message do you want to share with others? Friends and even people I hardly know often tell me that I have always been an inspiration to them. I am grateful to be able to uplift and encourage others every day in every way that I can be a positive role model and remain committed to worthy causes that benefit others. I truly believe that God has granted me an abundance of love and energy while I maintain a healthy lifestyle to keep my batteries charged up. I urge others to do the same and pay it forward. If I have inspired them, I expect them to inspire others as well. "Inspiration is contagious, spread it around!"

World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What’s your strategy for captivating the judges on stage? I focus on a combination of a confident stage presence, effective communication, and genuine connection with the audience and judges. This includes projecting confidence through my body language and facial expressions, maintaining eye contact, using vocal variety, diction, and intonation, and incorporating humor to enhance my performance. I automatically use my fifty plus years’ experience as an international performing artist in assessing the crowd and getting them engaged with my performance.

World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: How do you prepare for competitions? Any specific routines or practices? To prepare successfully for a pageant, I focus on developing all aspects of my presentation: physical health and fitness, mental preparation, and performance skills. This includes building my confidence with only positive thoughts and deeds, refining my interview skills, and practicing my talent performance. I also do specific routines and exercises for posture, walking, endurance, and stage presence; and equally important, I carefully and strategically choose each evening gown, national costume, dress, shoes, and accessories to boost my chances of success.

World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: Got any tips for nailing the perfect pageant walk? I am a firm believer in the saying: "Don't be flat, don't be sharp, just be natural." I always make sure that I practice walking with my new pageant elevator shoes that match my chosen outfits. I rehearse daily until I am confident that my walk is natural, graceful, and authentic. I always keep my head up while sporting my best million-dollar smile. My posture is strong and straight, fueled with high and positive energy with loads of confidence that scream, "I belong here, I am happy being here; I've got this, hands down!"

World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: Choosing the right pageant dress can be crucial. What are your tips for making the best choice? My most important tip is to consider the specific event's theme and venue: does it require formal, casual, or sports attire? My pageant ensemble must express my personality and style, complement my body shape, skin color, makeup, and hairstyle. It must also be easy and comfortable as I will be spending considerable time on it.

World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: Interview rounds can be tricky. What are your strategies for a winning interview? My strategy is simple: Just be myself. However, to "just be me" took years of personal development and practice, learning lessons and correcting mistakes. Because I have always believed in excellence in whatever I choose to do! I educated myself in public speaking and applied them when needed. I make sure that I have clearly understood what the interviewer is saying, and my answers are to-the-point, concise and well-understood. I also pay attention to minute details, such as confident eye contact, and a genuine smile because of a cheerful outlook. These qualities and more are second nature to me now, and I know I can help others develop them as well.

World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: Looking back, is there a moment in a competition you wish you could redo? Yes, on my 2nd Pageant, I was dinged for going over 2 minutes for my chosen song. It was a lesson learned to double-check the criteria for the talent competition.

World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What common mistakes do you see others making in contests? Lack of preparation and self-training, disregard for written pageant rules and regulations, nervousness, and lack of sleep, forced and strained smiles, over and/or under self-confidence.

World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: Do you have any experience in modeling or acting? I consider my experience as an International Performing Artist as tantamount to modeling and acting. Traveling around the world for over 50 years singing, dancing, performing, emceeing, producing television shows and concerts, and entertaining crowds, both large and small, requires just as much poise, self-confidence, and acting ability. Especially, I am excellent in working the crowd and getting them to dance to my disco songs!

World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What are your plans or goals for the upcoming year as a Queen? I plan to expand on my Pageant Boot Camp Training, which I created last year as intensive training sessions for my pageant nominees. I hope to invite more women to come as observers to motivate them to participate in future pageants as contestants and delegates. I intend to be an Extraordinary Nevada State Director, National Director, Director of the Year, and Mrs. Lifetime Queen Universe, and an effective Mentor to all my past, present, and future nominees!

World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: Finally, what kind of legacy do you hope to leave behind? I hope to be remembered as a woman who influenced other women and girls to fulfill their most cherished dreams, regardless of age, race, and culture. If as children, they ever played "princesses and queens," I aspire to be the radiant and elegant "fairy godmother" who came waving a magic wand and made their wishes come true. I was once that little girl, and the rest is "herstory."

World Class Beauty Queens Magazine would like to say thank you for this wonderful interview.

Salvacion Vargas Edelman Mrs. Lifetime Queen Universe 2025, World Class Beauty Queens Magazine

CROWN MEDIA - Podcast for all your pageant needs. Crown and Confidence Podcast

Crown and Platform Podcast

Crown and Interview Podcast

Crown and Leadership Podcast

Crown and Sisterhood Podcast

Podcasts related to pageant industry. — World Class Pageant Podcasts

Aurora Royale - Singer, song writer, World Class Ambassador. Visit her page and listen to her inspirational and motivational pageant music. Link to her page.