Matea Mahal Smith, Miss Filipina International 2023, and Amanda Russo, Mis Filipina International Tourism

Matea Mahal Smith Wins Miss Filipina International

Becomes First Winner of Filipino and Black Descent in Pageant’s 10-Year History

BY JANET SUSAN R. NEPALES
PHOTOGRAPHY BY GIAN BARBARONA

Matea Mahal Smith was born in Coral Springs, Florida (with family roots in Pililla, Rizal, Philippines), and recently won the Miss Filipina International 2023 title in a glamorous, top-tier show in the prestigious International Ballroom of The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California.

A Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience student at the University of Florida, Smith hopes to become a trauma surgeon and positively impact people’s lives.

The first Afro-Filipino to win the crown in the pageant’s 10-year history, Smith (21) is the youngest child and the only daughter of Seitu Smith, a high school math teacher of Jamaican descent born in Staten Island, New York, holding a Master’s degree in Education. Her Filipina mom, Mari Pantoja-Smith, was born in Makati with family roots in Rizal. She has a nursing background with a Master’s degree and is a digital strategist for the Mayo Clinic
Center for Digital Health.

Smith, also a track and field and swim athlete, has two accomplished older brothers – Seitu Smith II, 30, and Semar Smith, 27, both Harvard graduates who majored in Sociology and played football in college.

The winner of the best swimsuit competition, Smith said that she admires her Filipina mother, who taught her that no matter what life throws her way, obstacles are a temporary challenge, not an end, in her journey. She loves traveling, cooking, exercising, dancing, spending time with her loved ones, and listening to music.

As the top winner of MFI, now owned by Geoffrey Jimenez, who also executive produced the glittering production to be aired by GMA Network, Smith received a BMW 2 Series car and a $10,000 gift certificate from iSkin Beverly Hills.

Last year’s winner, Blessa Ericha Figueroa, placed the stunning $75,000 MFI crown, made of Swiss blue topaz, Japanese pearls, and other gems, custom-designed by royalty designer Narcisa Pheres, on the head of Smith. Jimenez presented the crown while Michelle Dee, the reigning Miss Universe Philippines, placed the sash on Smith.

Amanda Russo, born in Christiana, Delaware, with family roots in Angeles City, Pampanga, bagged the Miss Filipina International Tourism title. The 18-year-old Finance and International Business student at Penn State University also considers her mom her biggest inspiration. She wants to give back to the Filipino community and find ways to better the lives of elders.

Lauren Skeoch, First Runner-up, has family roots in Cagayan de Oro. Born in Sacramento, California, Skeoch has an Education degree from the University of South Florida.

Patricia Bianca Tapia, Second Runner-up, was born in Makati, Philippines, and has family roots in Tanauan, Batangas. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development from the University of California, Davis, and a Master of Science degree in Management and Leadership from Pepperdine University. As a youth director for Tanauenos USA, she hopes to expand the value of education to empower children and teens to pursue their passions.

Rylen Faith Steinbuch, Third Runner-up, was born in San Diego, California, with family roots in Isabela. An e-commerce model and a student at Temecula Valley High School, Steinbuch loves singing, volleyball, basketball, track, creative writing, playing the guitar and drums, and volunteering at the Community Mission of Hope (CMOH) and Rancho Damacitas’ Empowerment Village for single moms and their children who are experiencing trauma and hardship. She hopes to work in the medical field someday to support CMOH and Rancho Damacitas more to provide the medical and healthcare services they currently lack.

In partnership with Jonas Gaffud’s Empire Philippines, three MFI winners will be eligible to compete next year in Miss Universe Philippines, and two MFI winners will vie in The Miss Philippines pageant.

We interviewed Matea via Zoom when she returned to attend school at the University of Florida. Below is our interview.

Chic Compass: Congratulations on winning the Miss Filipina International 2023 title. What is the significance of this win for you?

Smith: It was an honor to be a part of this experience and have this opportunity to win as the first Afro-Filipino. This is big for me and the Filipino community because the Philippines is so rich in diversity, and I reflect many people of Filipino descent. So, I think being onstage as an Afro-Filipino gave insight into what the Philippines has in its culture and what we embody.

Chic Compass: How do you plan to use this platform for your mental health advocacy?

Smith: My advocacy is dismantling the stigma surrounding mental health. I have reached out to many organizations in the Philippines, trying to partner with them and help the youth in the Philippines with their battles. I have already partnered with Maya’s Hope in the Philippines, a non-profit organization that helps disabled and impoverished children in the Philippines. My relationship with them would have a positive impact on the youth of the Philippines.

Chic Compass: You are also a full scholar at the University of Florida studying Behavior and Cognitive Neuroscience to fulfill your dream of becoming a trauma surgeon. Can you tell us more about why you want to become a trauma surgeon?

Smith: My aspiration to become a trauma surgeon stems from having three hip surgeries. I want to reciprocate the care and help I received from the surgeons and physicians who cared for me and help people anywhere in the world.

Chic Compass: You quit track, field, and swimming sports due to a congenital hip disorder. Do you miss those sports?

Smith: Yes, being diagnosed with a congenital hip disorder was quite hard for me because I thought track and field was my future. I miss that often. But I have found a different path, a different door in life. That is what I take away from overcoming and battling that injury and being victorious.

Chic Compass: Did you replace those sports with your hip-hop jazz dancing?

Smith: I dance with the University of Florida’s Filipino Students Association students and dance company. I just love to be active through dancing.

Chic Compass: For your participation in the MFI, you had various coaches for walking, pageant interview, public speaking, and runway. Will you still use the same group to prepare you for the Miss Universe Philippines competition?

Smith: Yes, I would love to have the same group – Kagandahan Flores and Ashley Wright of Worthy of the Crown Coaching and Kirsten Regalado. They helped and shaped me so well, which is part of why I stood there with the crown. Yes, I want them in my corner when I compete at the Miss Universe Philippines.

Chic Compass: How about your costumes and gowns? Are you still going to use the same designers?

Smith: There are different designer groups, and I am still in talks with other designers who have reached out to me, so I have not decided yet because I am looking at various options.

Chic Compass: How has winning the MFI title changed your life?

Smith: It’s been amazing. It was such an honor. And I would like to thank MFI CEO Geoffrey Jimenez, Miss Filipina International, and the whole MFI team because this wouldn’t be an amazing experience for me without them. Having the crown right now, I am still on cloud nine, and I would like to use this platform to forward the youth in the Philippines.

Chic Compass: Now that the MFI is over, how do you relax and prepare for the next round?

Smith: I have been sleeping… finally. (laughs) Sleeping and being around my family and friends keeps me calm, relaxed, and happy.

Chic Compass: You participated as a Reyna Elena in the Santacruzan in Rizal, Philippines. How was that experience?

Smith: It was a great experience! I was so happy and proud to be the Reyna Elena for Pililla, Rizal, and the Reyna Empeatriz for Barangay Malaya. Being in the gorgeous gowns brings out the community who all watched the procession, and it became so surreal for me as I saw their commitment and passion for this 200-year-old tradition. It was an honor for me to be picked to be a part of this Santacruzan.

Chic Compass: You have been to the Philippines several times. What was the most memorable experience for you?

Smith: Last year, my family and I traveled to Buscalan, and we had the opportunity to be tattooed by Wang-od. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I got tattooed on the upper back by her, and my entire family also got tattooed. I would love to do that again. I am carrying a piece of history with me.

Chic Compass: What is the most memorable experience for you at the MFI besides winning the crown?

Smith: My most memorable experience at the MFI was being with the amazing candidates, my pageant sisters now. Being around them for so long and meeting these smart, intellectual, and beautiful women supporting me and each other in future endeavors was a great experience that I thank MFI for.

Chic Compass: What do you plan to do when you return to the Philippines?

Smith: I plan to see my family and eat excellent food in the Philippines. I will also be preparing for Miss Universe Philippines and am so excited to be there.

Chic Compass: How was your experience going to the Cordilleras?

Smith: Just being there was quite an experience. The grass was so green, the air so crisp, and I woke up and saw clouds I had not seen anywhere else. That is why I loved it so much. It was such a spiritual and serene experience, and I was so happy to be a part of it.

Chic Compass: During the Q&A portion of the pageant, you mentioned how your mother taught you to be true to yourself. What other lessons did you learn from her?

Smith: One of the important lessons my mother also taught me was that it was essential to know that “no one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” Yes, people will judge you, but you don’t need to worry about that because, at the end of the day, it is your life, and you should be happy in your life. I try to carry on every day.

Chic Compass: You are the youngest and have two older brothers. So, are you spoiled and the baby in the family?

Smith: I don’t think I am spoiled, but yes, I am the baby. I love that they care for me so much. They are very protective.

Chic Compass: Would you consider yourself a “Daddy’s Girl?”

Smith: I am both (a Daddy’s and Mommy’s Girl). I love both of my parents. I love spending time with them separately because they are different.

Chic Compass: After you won the title, did you notice any difference in treatment from your classmates or friends?

Smith: I have true friends, and they knew before me that I would be a winner. And I love them for that. Many congratulated me, and I appreciate everyone who was happy to see me wearing the crown.

Chic Compass: What would you advise young Fil-Am girls who want to follow in your footsteps?

Smith: I would tell them to go for it. With any experience, I would approach it with an open mind. You should not be losing out on opportunities or missing out on growing yourself through experiences. Please go for it if you want to join a pageant or follow in my footsteps.