Thirty-nine-year-old Monique Cantalejo Rivera is the epitome of charm, grace, and innate beauty that radiates from within. This loving wife to husband Joven V. Rivera and dedicated mother to Nicoh Jovelyn and Johan Patrick is a self-made successful entrepreneur, volunteer worker for disadvantaged children and youth, and Mrs. Laguna Universe at the ongoing Mrs. Universe Philippines, a prestigious pageant for married women chaired by an equally successful lady, Miss Charo Calalo.
Beneath her admirable qualities was a story of faith, determination, and willpower to succeed that will re-ignite inspirations and hope in these trying times. Becoming a beauty queen was a childhood dream and aspiration for Monique, a middle child, and the only girl in the brood of five. But a misfortune brought about by the closing down of their family-owned business forced her to postpone her aspirations. Hardship and poverty are a stark reality, so poor that she can’t even afford to buy a Skyflakes cracker to ease the pangs of hunger. Instead of wallowing in self-pity and apathy, Monique took upon herself to gather strength, motivation, and unwavering faith in God. She took on odd but dignified jobs that helped her family to survive and get by and support her studies. She was once a ticket-seller at the Enchanted Kingdom and was asked to play the role of a “Princess” on that famous amusement theme park. A “working princess by day” and a diligent student at night, Monique was able to finish her four-year College Course at the Laguna College of Arts and even helped her siblings in their schooling. Her becoming a beauty queen was somehow realized when she joined Beautiful Girl in Eat Bulaga in 2002 and eventually won as Dream Girl 2nd runner-up.
She met her husband Joven V. Rivera also a self-made man who worked himself up to become an Electrical Engineer. With almost the same life experiences, together they worked hard and persevere and even worked hard so that they can provide their children a comfortable life that they themselves only dreamed about when they are young. Perseverance and determination finally paid off.
Looking back, Monique is forever grateful to her mother who has a great influence on her, who provided her unconditional love and support, guidance, and values that helped her navigate all the trials and adversities in life.
In 2018, she was proclaimed Mrs. Laguna that earned her the right to compete at the 2018 Miss International in Singapore. She won the title of Mrs. South East Asia. That experience made her realize that a title and crown can be a good platform to influence others towards a worthy cause that can help others. When an opportunity to be involved in volunteer charity initiative at Onessimo Foundation, a private organization for the welfare of disadvantaged and “at-risk” children and youth, she gladly embraced the idea and become an active volunteer and leading advocate of children’s welfare and development and become passionate about it.
Now that another opportunity has opened for Monique as Laguna’s representative to the prestigious Mrs. Universe Philippines Pageant, she only has but praise and gratefulness to its Chairperson, Miss Charo Calalo for providing her the platform and venues to raise awareness about the plight of disadvantaged children and youth and hopefully become the bridge to reach out to those who are willing to help and be helped, because they (children) are the foundation of our next generations.
When asked what is her message to her fellow women, Monique quips…”We are all born with a Divine Purpose, and our only job is to discover what that is, never ever give up, as a beauty queen, I will inspire to do that because it’s never too late to follow your dreams.”
