Be it in the courtroom or the pageant stage, Atty. Clarie May Mariano Tamondong always makes a compelling case. As Mrs. Universe North Philippines, she is currently competing in Sri Lanka at the Mrs. Universe 2026, vying for the country’s first crown.
Together with compatriot Fatima Figueroa Alvarez, the reigning Mrs. Universe Philippines, Clarie May is a standout among 130 delegates from around the world. The National Costume Round will be today, October 23, while the World Finale will be on October 24 at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium in Colombo.
Based in Sofia, Bulgaria, the Mrs. Universe is an annual international competition for ‘the most honorable married woman.’ It is open to married, divorced and widowed women who are between the ages of 18 and 55, have a family and career, and are involved in a ‘significant cause.’ Sherry Singh of India, who won in Manila in 2025, is the reigning queen.
‘After celebrating my birthday in Vietnam, one of my greatest wishes is to become a Mrs. Universe Philippines title holder, not just for the crown, but to inspire and empower women through my voice,’ Clarie May expressed in her advocacy video for the national finals in late June. ‘My advocacy focuses on empowering women through mental health awareness, especially those with postpartum depression, menopausal, and abuse.’
HER HUSBAND, HER HERO
At the special presscon hosted by Maria Charo Calalo, MrsUPh national director and a former Mrs. UPh herself, Clarie May extolled the virtues of her husband, Paul Mari Chan:
‘I can say that my husband is my hero because he always accompanies me not only in my walks, not only financially but also, he accompanies me in the struggles that I’m experiencing. And I can consider that I’m struggling right now since I’m into a difficult situation, I have to manage my time well, I have to juggle between work and preparation with the beauty pageant.
And at the same time, I have to work very hard because, of course, I’m a mother, I understand that we don’t need to spend really a lot for the beauty pageant, but of course, I also want to do my best.
‘I’m really preparing a lot financially. So, I’m also spending my time for this. And I won’t be able to do all of this, I won’t be able to overcome the difficulties that I’m experiencing if I don’t have my husband. Because when I’m attending hearings, he’s always there.
‘He’s the one who drives for me, no matter how long he waits. When I’m attending a pasarela training, he’s always there. He’s willing to wait for me in the car. And financially, he’s always there to support me.
‘He’s really my number-one supporter. And I told him that he’s my hero because I won’t be able to do this without him.
‘Mahal, thank you so much for being my major sponsor. And you know, I love you so much. You’re my number-one support for everything.
‘And like what I’ve been telling you, it’s my wish to always be with you. Just be there. Always be careful in everything we do. Always take care of yourself because I want to be with you until the end.’
HER VOICE, HER HEALING
Clarie May represented Quirino Province at the Mrs. Universe Philippines finals on June 28 at the Manila Hotel. Quirino Province. She is happily married with one son and a litigation lawyer specializing in criminal, civil, labor, and family law. From being Little Miss St. Mark’s School during her childhood days to becoming a mother, a lawyer, and now a beauty queen, her journey has been shaped by passion, purpose, and resilience.
For her advocacy video, Clarie May focused on postpartum depression and menopausal-related psychological changes, which are highly important mental health concerns as both conditions can significantly affect the overall quality of life:
‘Around the world, studies now show that one in five mothers experience postpartum depression after childbirth. In recent global studies, around 37 percent of women experience depression, anxiety, and emotional distress during menopausal. And according to the latest Philippine Statistics Authority, around 15 percent of Filipino women ages 15 to 49 experience physical, emotional, and sexual abuse from an intimate partner.
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‘Behind these numbers are real women, real mothers who are silently struggling every day. This advocacy is important to me because as a lawyer and a mother, I’ve witnessed how postpartum depression, menopause, and abuse can deeply affect women’s confidence. As a litigation lawyer handling family cases, I’ve seen too many women endure abuse while staying silent for their children.
‘I’ve represented mothers breaking free from emotional and physical trauma. This is why this advocacy is deeply personal to me. Through my advocacy project, Her Voice, Her Healing, I’ve started promoting mental health awareness through community outreach programs.
‘I want to encourage women to seek help without fear or shame. My goal is to use my voice and platform to empower women and inspire. I want people to know that true strength is not about hiding pain.
‘It’s about having the courage to seek help, heal, and rise again. Never be afraid to seek for help. You are worthy of giving.
‘The change I want to see is a society where women feel safe to talk about mental health and abuse because when women feel heard, supported, and empowered, the entire families and communities become stronger.’