Timeless elegance: How this 56-year-old MUPH-QC 2025 candidate proves beauty has no expiration date
In a world where beauty is often synonymous with youth, one woman makes a powerful statement, proving that beauty knows no age, especially at beauty pageants.
Meet Catherine Muguerza, a 56-year-old contestant in the Miss Universe Philippines Quezon City (MUPH-QC) 2025 pageant. She is the second elderly woman to enter the local pageant following Jocelyn Cubales's stint in 2024. Although Muguerza is the oldest candidate this year, she’s not just here to compete—she’s here to show the world that passion does not have an expiration date.
"[I want] to inspire seasoned woman like me. Hindi ko hinihintay na hanggang maging ugod-ugo nalang ako or mamanget. Kasi at my age 56, [I am] going 57 this year eh, unti nalang senior na ako. I will just enjoy the moment and be happy. 'Di lahat ng tao nabibigyan ng pagkakataon," she said in an interview with PhilSTAR L!fe.
In case you missed it, the Miss Universe Organization announced in September 2022 the removal of age restrictions across all Miss Universe and associated pageants. For the longest time, the MUO only allowed women between 18 and 28 years old to compete. This is part of the pageant's updated guidelines, which promote inclusivity by allowing transgender women, divorced women, wives, and mothers to participate.
Pageant veteran
Muguerza, a single mother of four, is no newbie to pageantry. In August 2024, she was crowned Mrs. Universe Southeast Asia Worldwide, and early in December last year, she bagged the Mrs. Legend Universal- Intercontinental Champion in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Joining MUPH-QC is thrilling for her. But Muguerza's decision to join the pageant isn’t just personal, it’s a movement. Although she initially had hesitations, the pageant veteran said nothing, not even her age, would stop her from fulfilling her dreams.
"Excited na scared ako at first, syempre Miss 'to eh, so natagalan pa ako bago ma-absorb. Yung first meeting sabi ko sa sarili ko na parang ayoko yata kasi parang I felt na hindi ako para dito. So I told my designer na 'beh hindi ko ata keri,'" she told L!fe.
"Although hesitant ako, iba yung kaba, pero sabi ko sa sarili ko papatalo ba ako? Hindi naman sa kayang-kaya pero kaya kong tumapat," she added.
Muguerza's story is not one of fleeting moments but of enduring passion and calling, as she believed joining the pageant was God's purpose.
"Sabi ko nga sa sarili ko 'Lord siguro hindi mo naman ako dadalhin dito para sa wala, or hiyain ko lang ang sarili ko, lagi kong nireremind sa sarili ko, 'I am a daughter of a King.' Laging may purpose si God, siguro ito ang purpose ko," she shared with L!fe.
'This is a dream'
While many in their 50s would consider retirement, it's different for Muguerza. She's chosen to chase a childhood dream, proving it's never too late to pursue your passions.
The beauty queen shared, "At some point, I have this dream. Kasi yung tita ko naging Miss Nueva Ecija 'yun tapos when I was young may malaking frame yung tita ko na naka-crown. Na-inspire ako dun and parang gusto kong maging ganun."
She added, "Iba ang satisfaction, iba yung pakiramdam, yung achievement, sabi ko nga legacy na nga ito eh na iiwan ko sa mga anak ko. Wala man nakalagay na attorney, doctor o anumang title sa lapida ko, at least naging beauty queen ako."
Redefining beauty and confidence
According to Muguerza, her friend signed her up for the pageant. When the organizers informed her that she was one of the official candidates, she decided to take a leap of faith.
"I am happier now. Oo, kinabahan ako nung una kasi Miss eh, ang tanda ko na eh. Ngayon comfortable na ako, I'm happier now, mabait ang mga bata, tanggap nila ako na parang ka-edad lang nila," she said.
"Sabi ko nga ang dala ng mga bagets na ito pasarela, ako ang dala ko prayers. Its God's will, everytime I do something, I asked for God's will. Sabi ko 'Lord 'di mo naman ako dadalhin dito nang walang purpose,' so kung dinala niya ako dito, win or lose, dinala ka for something. Gagamitin ka lagi ng Diyos, and I hope to become an inspiration to all younger ones and seasoned women," Muguerza added.
She emphasized that joining MUPH-QC 2025 is more than just stepping onto a stage—it’s about using the platform to inspire others, especially women, to find their purpose.
"Gusto ko sana maging inspiration ito. Makapag-open ito ng window para dun sa mga babaeng nangarap, na nasira yung pangarap nila dahil lang sa nag-asawa sila at nanganak, or they need to take good care of their family, naging bread winner," she said, "Parang pabayaan natin sila na tuparin ang simple nilang pangarap because this is a simple way but for them this is huge. Malaki ito para sa kanila, like me, this is a big dream for me."
Muguerza's purpose goes beyond winning a crown. It's about representation and empowerment. As one of the oldest candidates in the competition, Muguerza is challenging societal norms that often associate beauty and ambition with youth. She is showing that every woman, regardless of age, has the right to feel beautiful, powerful, and worthy of success.
"Alam mo naman ang Filipino woman, aalagaan ang pamilya, kukupkupin ang mga anak, kukupkupin ang mga apo, hanggang sa apo sa tuhod, hanggang wala nang nangyari kay lola, namanget na. So na-stuck tayo ng ganun. So we must enjoy our life as seasoned [women]," she said.
She continued, "Just to be part [of the pageant] is an honor and a privilege. Sabi ko nga, 'We're not candidates, we're not finalists, we are all queens—queens of our own way.'"
The MUPH-QC's grand coronation night will be held on Sunday, Feb. 2, at 7 p.m. at the SM Skydome, North EDSA. The winner will succeed MUPH-QC 2024 Cam Lagmay.
