00:00 Back in August, live from Florida, we got to talk to this beauty queen via Zoom after she won the title Miss Filipina International 2023.
00:11 Tonight, she joins us now live in our CNN studios. Let us all please welcome, Mateya Mahal Smith.
00:19 Mateya, it's great to see you.
00:21 It's so great to be here in person.
00:23 Yes, your first trip to Manila since winning the Miss Filipina International 2023 title.
00:30 What does it feel like? What does this homecoming feel like?
00:33 Well, it's always great coming home to the Philippines, be surrounded by the culture, the people, my family, and especially eat the food.
00:41 Eat the food. What have you eaten so far since you arrived here in Manila?
00:44 Gosh, what haven't I eaten? I got pandesal finally.
00:48 Because you can't find that anywhere but better in the Philippines.
00:53 But yeah, it's great to be here. And being as Miss Filipina International, it's opened so many doors for me.
01:01 Especially, well, I'm here for one, talking to you live in studio.
01:06 But also, I've been able to attend events, make appearances, and meet more Filipinos and build connections with them as well.
01:14 Wow, this crown really has changed your life, right?
01:20 Yes, it has. So I'd say the biggest change is that I feel that I'm more recognized as a person.
01:25 But through this recognition, I just feel as though I'm gaining support from Filipinos all over the world.
01:32 But I think what's significant is that it gives me a platform to further my advocacy of dismantling the stigma surrounding mental health.
01:40 And I've already spoken with mental health organizations such as Talang Dalisay, which is a mental health organization catered to Filipinos.
01:48 And I also have a meeting with the Philippine Mental Health Association.
01:52 And really, my goal is just to partner with them and uplift the youth of the Philippines in their battle.
01:57 And it also relates to your course at the University of Florida. You're a student of behavioral and cognitive neuroscience.
02:06 Yes.
02:07 So what really motivates you to help people, especially who have suffered a lot of mental health issues, especially during the pandemic?
02:20 Yes. Well, mental health is a part of our well-being, and it can happen to anyone.
02:25 And what really inspired me was, I would say, my challenges with mental health.
02:31 I was an aspiring athlete, and I've had many hip surgeries. So that really, yes.
02:38 And you want to reach a certain level as an athlete, and then you get injured.
02:43 Yes.
02:44 Then you rehabilitate, and then you get injured again. Wow.
02:47 Yes, that's basically what happened. And I've had to end my career as an athlete.
02:52 And going through that was very hard on me because being a runner was all I knew in life at a time.
02:59 And that also happened during COVID, so it was very isolated.
03:03 But through the support and help of my family and knowing that I could reach out and receive the help that I needed is what really got me grounded and brought me back.
03:11 But not everyone is fortunate enough to have that support.
03:14 So that's what I want to do with my advocacy, knowing that I'm a shoulder to lean on, knowing that you can come and talk to people,
03:21 and that there are resources available for any battles that you may be facing.
03:25 Yeah, I mean, support the family is so important. And your mom is here with you in Manila.
03:31 Yes.
03:32 With all her love and support. How influential were your mom and your dad in your life and in joining this beauty pageant?
03:41 I would have to say my parents are very inspirational and influential in my life. The most, I'd say.
03:49 I've spoken about my mom before, but I'd also like to include my dad as well, as they both inspired me.
03:55 And just seeing and hearing about the challenges they face and how they've overcome has really taught me many lessons.
04:02 It taught me that no matter what I go after, to give it my 100 percent because I can walk away knowing that I gave it my all.
04:09 And that's what I've seen and learned from my parents.
04:12 And being Miss Filipina International 2023 means that you're eligible to compete next year in the Miss Universe Philippines in April of 2024.
04:24 How are you psyching yourself up that that title, that competition will be taking place in six months' time?
04:33 Well, yes, it's a lot of preparation, but I'm so excited. And I think what's really just driving me is knowing my capabilities,
04:42 knowing myself and knowing that I'm going to put my all into this and that no matter the outcome, I'm going to walk away
04:48 knowing that I've done everything in my power and whatever else happens is out of my control.
04:53 And how are you preparing and training for the competition?
04:57 Well, I've continued my training since Miss Filipina International with walking and interview prep.
05:03 And when I come back, I hope to go back to Cagatahan, Flores because that's where I trained before Miss Filipina International.
05:09 So I'd love to see Tito Rodrigo and Kuya Anan there and to continue with my walking training there as well.
05:15 Well, training and preparation seems like it's not easy. I mean, after winning that competition, wow, all the way until April, it's nonstop training.
05:26 A lot of learnings, but just speaking to you right now, you will be doing so well in the question and answer portion, I'm sure, Matea.
05:36 Thank you.
05:39 Especially now, we really have to be knowledgeable of what's happening, not only in the confines of our community,
05:47 but the global environment, especially what's happening in the Middle East, in Eastern Europe, and the geopolitical tensions that are taking place with China.
05:59 We have to be aware of all of these issues, Matea.
06:02 And I think that's important because being knowledgeable allows us to empathize and sympathize to what other people are going through
06:08 and what we don't see right in front of us, but it's happening no matter what.
06:12 So I think that that knowledge allows us to connect more and learn more about the world.
06:17 And you were the first Filipina with African-American descent to be crowned Miss Filipina International.
06:24 What is your message to young Filipinas who are watching us right now on how they could fulfill their dreams and goals in life?
06:34 Well, I first have to say that my win as the first Afro-Filipina was monumental because it is breaking the glass ceiling.
06:42 And colorism, well, it is apparent in our world, and for a while it seemed as though fairer skin or lighter complexion was the beauty standard.
06:51 But my win as an Afro-Filipina, I hope to show little girls who look like me or underrepresented little girls what they can be.
06:59 This title is not just my own. It belongs to every person who has ever struggled, hoped, and dreamed.
07:06 And that's what I hope my win takes away.
07:08 If I'm a judge in the competition, I'm going to give you a perfect 10.
07:11 But, you know, Pia Wurtzbach, Miss Universe 2015 was my guest last week to promote her book, Queen of the Universe.
07:19 And I asked her the same question, what is your advice to aspiring beauty queens?
07:24 I have to say there's a lot of advice I could give, but to aspiring beauty queens is really just stay true to who you are.
07:31 Do not conform to what society thinks you should be. Stand out, be different.
07:37 People are going to judge you no matter what, so why change to appeal to them? That's my advice.
07:42 We're really very proud of you.
07:43 Thank you.
07:44 And looking forward to you coming back here in the Philippines to train and compete in the Miss Universe Philippines 2024 competition.
07:53 All the best to you, Matea.
07:55 Thank you.
07:56 And thank you so much for visiting us here on The Final Word on CNN Philippines.
08:00 Thank you.
08:01 Miss Filipina International 2023, Matea Mahal-Smith.
