A refreshing face with a stylish presence in the beauty-queen circuit, Scarlet Chua is also a dynamic advocate for children’s welfare, empowering women and celebrating diversity.
Scarlet, 36, is the reigning Mrs. Universe Pacific Philippines 2026, from the Mrs. Universe Philippines system spearheaded by former winner Maria Charo Laude. A proud Filipino-Chinese, she is a graduate of Chiang Kai Shek College.
Married to businessman Wilfred Evan Chua, they are blessed with three wonderful boys named Caden, Travis and Ethan. While her profession centers around her family, she also uses her platform to inspire women, promote cultural understanding, and encourage purposeful living.
A recent awardee at ‘Faces of Success’ by ‘Awards Guru’ Richard Hiñola, Scarlet shares her values, passions and convictions in this exclusive interview:
MRS. UNIVERSE PHILIPPINES 2026
‘I joined Mrs. Universe Philippines to prove that motherhood is not the end of a woman’s dreams. It can be the beginning of an even greater purpose. I wanted to step outside my comfort zone and inspire women, especially mothers, to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams at any stage of life.
‘As a titleholder, my responsibility is to represent the organization with integrity, serve my community, champion meaningful advocacies, and use my voice to inspire positive change. I believe a crown is not just a symbol of beauty, but a platform for service and purpose.
‘Mrs. Universe Philippines was my first-ever beauty pageant, and it completely transformed me. I didn’t enter with experience, I entered with purpose and the courage to say yes to a dream. Every challenge, from the runway to the QandA, helped me discover a stronger, more confident version of myself. It reminded me that it’s never too late to grow, and that the greatest victory is overcoming your own fears.’
FASHIONISTA
‘Fashion has always been one of my passions because it is a beautiful form of self-expression. I believe true style isn’t about wearing the most expensive clothes, it’s about wearing pieces with confidence, elegance and purpose. I love timeless, sophisticated and feminine fashion that reflects who I am while remaining appropriate for every occasion. To me, the best accessory will always be a genuine smile.’
CREATIVE COLLABORATORS
‘A beauty queen may stand alone on stage, but behind her is an entire team working with passion and dedication. I’m deeply thankful to all the creatives who believed in me and helped bring my vision to life.
‘My official photographers and videographers were Mark Neto Diaz, Jhade Ochea, Kevin Burca, Christian Rubenicia and Jayron Acala. I also would like to express a heartfelt gratitude to my coaches and mentors Mike Tagle, Hemi Escudero Tamayo, Jomari Conception, Kai Louis, Niño Gonzales, Jules Inoc, and my family, friends and supporters who believed in me from the beginning.
‘My evening gown at the Grand Coronation Night at Mrs. Universe Philippines was designed by Leo Almodal, my stylists for the whole pageant journey were Vhee Co, Jev and Ken Batino, my hair and makeup artist was Jay-R Ten, Joan Castro, Jerome Phokz Bognot and Heart Abad Zafra.
‘For my ‘Faces of Success’ look, I also had the privilege of collaborating with Style by Jev and Ken Batino, hair and makeup by Peejay Gardose Trangria, all talented creatives who helped me present my best self while staying true to my elegant and timeless style.’
HARMONY ACROSS CULTURES
‘As a Filipino-Chinese woman, I have always valued the richness of embracing two cultures. That inspired me to create my advocacy, Harmony Across Cultures, which promotes understanding, respect, and unity among people from different backgrounds.
‘Its core values are respect, understanding, inclusivity, cultural appreciation, and unity. As a beauty queen, I hope to use my platform to encourage people to celebrate diversity while recognizing the values that connect us. As a mother, I want to raise my children to be proud of their identity, respect every culture, and lead with kindness and compassion.
‘I believe the world becomes more beautiful when we choose understanding over judgment. Through Harmony Across Cultures, I hope to build bridges, foster meaningful connections, and inspire future generations to embrace diversity with open hearts.’
OUTREACH ACTIVITIES
‘My lady friends and I from our Bible study group organized outreach activities with Muntindilaw for Kids at Muntindilaw Elementary School, Falcon, Cainta on October 18, 2025, and April 25, 2026.
‘We believe every child deserves to feel loved, valued, and given the opportunity to dream, regardless of their circumstances.
‘As a mother of three boys, seeing children who face challenges in life deeply touches my heart. It reminds me how blessed my own family is and inspires me to give back whenever I can.
‘For me, charity is more than donating resources, it is about giving hope, encouragement, and reminding children that they are seen, cared for, and never forgotten. Through our outreach with Muntindilaw for Kids, I had the privilege of sharing not only assistance but also time, compassion, and genuine connection with the children and their families.
‘This experience strengthened my belief that even small acts of kindness can create a lasting impact. It also reflects my personal mission of using my platform to inspire others to serve with compassion, uplift communities, and make a positive difference. One child, one family, and one act of kindness at a time.
‘I hope our efforts inspire more people to come together, serve with compassion, and create positive change in their own communities. After all, when we unite with love and a shared purpose, we become instruments of hope in the lives of others.
FACE OF SUCCESS
‘For me, success is not measured by crowns, awards, or accomplishments alone, but by who you become in the process and the lives you touch along the way. It’s about living with purpose, staying true to your values, and making a positive difference wherever you go. A crown may have a season, but your influence can last a lifetime. If I can inspire even one person to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams, then I consider that true success.
‘Receiving the ‘Faces of Success Award’ is an incredible honor because it reminds me that true success is not about being seen, it’s about making others feel seen, valued, and inspired. This recognition motivates me to continue leading with purpose, humility, and compassion while using every opportunity to make a positive impact.’