Hotel and restaurant management alumna Kayesha Chua was crowned Miss Asia Awards 2019 last Nov. 3 at the Holiday Inn and Suites Saigon Airport in Vietnam.
Chua, who graduated cum laude in 2013, was the first Filipina to win the title.
She is an advocate of animal welfare and works for the Philippine Pet Birth Control Center Foundation.
“We highlight the importance of spay-and-neuter for cats and dogs to eradicate animal cruelty and overpopulation, which helps the community, too,” Chua told the Varsitarian.
The 26-year-old, who placed third in the 2010 Miss UST contest, said representing the country was one of her biggest dreams growing up.
“I just didn’t know how and in what field but I really wanted to represent the Philippines. And now that I did, and am successful in doing so, my heart is full,” she said.
Chua had joined a number of local pageants, including Miss Mandaluyong 2012, Miss Bicolandia 2017 and Binibining Pilipinas 2018. She was one of the semifinalists in this year’s Miss World Philippines.
Miss Asia Awards, now on its fifth year, focuses on cultural exchange and fashion.
