Such is the reputation of the Philippines as a global powerhouse of beauty that a delegate from faraway Paraguay opted to do her Miss Universe 2026 preparation in the country.
Based on air travel, the distance between the Philippines and Paraguay is approximately 18,835 kilometers (11,704 miles), yet the gorgeous Gretha Matiauda made the long trip to gear up for her most important pageant journey.
‘I was dreaming for this moment. I have to give my best and I feel really prepared to do that because I love Miss Universe since I was five years old. And I think it’s a platform that gives you power to help each other and also I think it’s a platform to empower other women and also to increase your career,’ Gretha intimated at her special meet-and-greet with Manila media on April 25 in San Juan.
Gretha, 25, has modeled internationally, and is currently finishing her thesis in Economics at the National University of Asunción. She released her debut single, ‘Bonita,’ in 2022.
Her intensive training here is a collaboration between her pageant organization, Promociones Gloria, and the House of Yugen, led by national director and Miss Universe franchise owner for multiple countries, Josh Yugen.
Statuesque and stunning, Gretha is no stranger to international pageants. She was the fourth runner-up at the Miss United Continents 2022 in Ecuador, won by Joanna Camelle Mercado of the Philippines. She also competed at Miss Earth 2023, won by Drita Ziri of Albania and where our Yllana Aduana was Miss Earth-Air 2023.
Paraguay at Miss Universe
Gretha’s predecessor, Yanina Gómez, also trained with Filipino pageant experts for her Miss Universe 2025 bid, where she placed in the Top 30.
With an estimated 6.4 million people, Paraguay as a developing country is also striving to gain a foothold in the field of pageantry. Under the Miss Paraguay pageant, Distrito Capital’s Miriam Riart Brugada placed in the Top 15 of Miss Universe 1964 while Vivian Rosana Benítez Brizuela, also of Distrito Capital was in the Top 10 in 1991.
Under Miss Universo Paraguay, Yanina Alicia González Jorgge placed third runner-up in 2004; and in 2006, Lourdes Verónica Arévalos Elías replicated that feat. Under Reinas de Belleza del Paraguay, Nadia Tamara Ferreira posted her country’s highest placement at Miss Universe, achieving a first runner-up placement in 2021.
Gretha’s Global Perspective
Paraguay’s official languages are Spanish and Guarani. Gretha’s measured yet confident delivery in English to the media interviews makes her more endearing. She shared some of her thoughts:
‘The most passionate I am about is about empowering other women because I think women are the head of the family. In Paraguay, we have many, many women that suffer violence and need independence. As an economist, I dream, I think that I am able to bring the opportunity to experience new jobs, new opportunities. Through my foundation, I want to help them. I do a lot of charity because I love children. I have three little brothers and I love them.
‘So, I love animals, too
‘I want to use my voice. I especially create a podcast that is called Voces Que Sanan (Voices That Heal). We interview many women that are facing violence. We empower them through education because we have a lot of support in Paraguay and also with the government because I work now with the Minister of Women in Paraguay. ‘I really appreciate it because you don’t need a crown to do that. I do that since 2020, so a long time ago. But now, I feel more empowered, more like a woman, so I feel more the mission now.
‘As an economist, I would make a global impact [by proposing policies that help solve the oil crisis]. I want to change the dependence of the oil, by improving and investing in clean energy, like wind and solar energy. I think every crisis is an opportunity to improve and to be better. So, let’s do that.
‘As an economist, as an entrepreneur and as an international model, I have many things to offer. I have a very good perspective because I am an entrepreneur and I know how to keep pushing and moving forward no matter the situation. I want to improve not only for me but also for the Miss Universe brand and all the fans around the world. Thank you!’