World Class Beauty Queens Magazine would like to welcome amazing Queen Megan Camaisa 2020 Noble Queen of the Universe.
Full name: Megan Camaisa
Title/Year: 2020 Noble Queen of the Universe, 2020 Ambassador of Goodwill, 2020 Best in Evening Gown
Pageant System: Noble Queen of the Universe, Ltd. Inc.
Age: 38
Education Level: Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education, University of West Georgia (Summa Cum Laude)
Zodiac sign: Pisces
Hobbies: Equestrian show jumping, yoga, Pilates, hiking, cooking with my husband and sons, and writing. Other interests include philanthropic giving, fashion, & interior design
Platform: Well-Being of Women and Children Through Empowerment Programs
Years competed: 2020
Countries visited: Germany, Czech Republic, Mexico, and my favorite...Philippines
Likes: Family, friends, dogs, happy people, coffee, naps, shopping, travel, laughing and living life to its fullest each day
Dislikes: loneliness, diseases, un-caffeinated beverages, grumpy/angry people, and rain
Status: Married (16 years to husband Allan), mother of 3 sons (Christian 15, Asher 13, and Lucas 11)
World Class Beauty Queens: Please tell us about yourself.
I have been married to my Filipino husband, Allan for 16 years, have 3 boys Christian 15, Asher 13, Lucas 11, and reside in Southern California. My husband is a talented entrepreneur and is on his 5th successful company, working on the cure for cancer. All three of our boys play competitive tennis, enjoy computer programming, sciences, and learning business from their father. Allan stays young and fit by playing tennis and surfing. On top of all of their worldly experiences and accomplishments, they love the Lord and serving others. All of the men in my life make me very proud of everything that they endeavor to do! As a family, we love to travel, cook, watch movies, play board games and walk with our dogs.
For the past 11 years, I have been the Publisher of Risen Magazine, overseeing the staff, creative direction, all aspects of business and development . Risen Magazine is an international publication, biblically based, to change the way mainstream sees Christianity in media, particularly in Hollywood. My staff has interviewed Hollywood’s A-list celebrities to see how faith has influenced their choices, positive and negative, so that today’s youth can make better choices. Risen has the privilege through its outstanding relationships and reputation to get to work with the largest studios globally including Disney, Sony, Fox, MGM, Netflix, Hulu, and many other independent studios to present our readers with the latest that media platforms have to offer with family- inspired media. We also place a great value on sharing everyday testimonials that will inspire our readers.
My husband and I, have also Executive Produced over 6 Christian-based films that contained major Hollywood celebrities. These films include, Soul Surfer (in conjunction with Island Film Group), Like a Country Song and Hard Flip. Our latest film, Lost in America, tackles the issue of homeless youth in America. The film stars Halle Barry, Rosario Dawson, Jon Bon Jovi, Mylie Cyrus, and Jewel. We have not only provided financial assets to the filmmakers, but have also provided changes to scripts in order to positively impact the films outcomes. Personally, I have become more educated on the business elements of filmmaking and deal making throughout the process.
Overall, I enjoy the creative outlets that both Risen Magazine and the filmmaking provide. Over the years while publisher of the magazine, I have mentored my staff through marriages, births of children, and other milestones of their lives. I am proud to have given them the latitude to become their best-selves as both employees, wives, mothers, sisters, husbands, fathers, brothers, and friends. The team I have forged has maximized their creativity in order to provide quality content on a variety of platforms. Their dedication and hard work inspires me to strive to do better and continue to always evolve.
World Class Beauty Queens: Please tell us about your education.
I had an idyllic childhood and attended wonderful public schools on the East Coast. I worked extremely hard in high school to graduate in the top 10% of my high school class with over 2,000 graduates that year. I received a 4-year academic scholarship to the University of West Georgia, where I graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelors in Early Childhood Education.
World Class Beauty Queens: What does women Empowerment means to you?
There are so many aspects to Women’s Empowerment and for me, personally, I want to be able to represent to other women that no matter your status in life, you should always give freely of yourself to uplift others in a more difficult situation. If women can show a united front by bonding together for multiple causes, around the globe, so many great achievements for women’s rights will be accomplished. No good deed is too small to go un-noticed, by another in need. World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about your pageant history.
I've actually never considered myself a “pageant girl,” but grew up in the world of competitive dance, where I would often have to model as part of my solo competitions. Competitive dance is very similar to the pageant world, in that you have to set goals, refine your skills, and showcase those elements in front of crowds in a polished manner. These dance competitions as a young girl taught me to love the fellowship that a competitive, yet friendly environment offered. Being on stage or in front of audiences has always been part of my second nature that allows me to express my outgoing, feminine personality, while achieving goals at the same time. So, there was no better time than a global pandemic to officially enter my first pageant. 2020 Noble Queen of the Universe gave me that opportunity along with showcasing the many charities I have supported over the past decade. World Class Beauty Queens: What inspired you to do your first pageant?
A longtime dear friend, Patricia Javier (Mrs. Universe Philippines 2019, Noble Queen of the Universe 2019) had come to me in 2019, and asked me to help support Noble Queen of the Universe’s (NQU), mission for a global women’s empowerment philanthropy. I was so excited to help this cause, as charitable fundraising comes naturally to me. Throughout 2019, I became more aware of NQU and all of their great works. When the opportunity came along in 2020 for me to be a delegate, I was thrilled to further support this wonderful organization.
World Class Beauty Queens: Why did you choose to compete for your current title?
Noble Queen of the Universe felt like a special and worthy title to try to achieve, due to the fact that the organization not only places value on a women’s beauty (inside and out), but their charitable works. After meeting some of the delegates from 2019 (albeit, online due to the pandemic), I knew that this was the pageant and sisterhood, I could support. The women are all outstanding, professional, giving of themselves, and amazingly talented. Above all, my family supported me one hundred percent in seeking the title. World Class Beauty Queens: To those unfamiliar with your pageant system please tell us what is it about?
Noble Queen of the Universe, Ltd, Inc., strives to seek respect for all across the globe. Through a diverse sisterhood that goes beyond beauty, Noble Queen, uplifts communities in need, through each participants advocacy and unique gifts. World Class Beauty Queens: What are you being judged on during the competition?
2020 presented a set of unique challenges and a virtual pageant for the International contestants. Delegates were evaluated on three minute video presentation of Advocacy, Evening Gown Runway Walk Video, Sportswear Photograph, Delegate Question and Answer Press Conference for Judges, a special Social Media Contest Awardee, a Special Most Photogenic Awardee, a Special Best in Evening Gown Awardee, along with special awards from Pageant Director, Eren McKaye Noche.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about your experience during the competition.
Since the competition was held virtually over the course of multiple days, it was an exciting experience...certainly a different format from most traditional pageants. In addition to showcasing the expected talents such as runway walk, ability to answer questions from press, judges, and organizers, beauty and charitable works, delegates were able to express their creativity through the submission of videos. These personally created videos allowed each delegate to convey a unique personality through technology, not a usual talent for many beauty queens. It just goes to show that everything during a global pandemic has had to adapt, even the pageant world.
Although my fellow delegates and I were socially distanced and oceans apart, we all bonded over our love of giving and helping those in need. We all quickly learned about each other’s families, careers, passions, talents, and how Noble Queen was our common denominator. Needless to say, we all became fast friends via Zoom and just about every social media platform channel possible. Somehow, there was just a feeling of a united common goal, rather than a super competitive and cut-throat environment, which some organizations foster.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about your platform or what cause do you volunteer for.
As part of the NQU Organization, I advocate for the Well-Being of Women and Children Through Empowerment Programs. I always focus on being a role- model and leader, teaching others “to give freely of ones talents and blessings,” no matter their position in life because the generosity of a stranger an make can eternal and generational impact.
For years, my husband and I have supported non-profits that focus on providing life- skills and mentoring to women and children in need, through many different sectors of life including, business, health, sports, equine therapies, arts and media, global human trafficking, global ministries, and global clean water.
These include, but are not limited to Fil-Am Bid (San Diego), Filipino-American Chamber of Commerce (San Diego), Hope Leadership Academy, Ambassadors Soccer, Meadowlark Lemon Legacy Foundation, Little Hooves Horse Rescue, Mitchell Thorpe Foundation, Manamoc Island Health Clinic, Care in Action USA, Lost In America Foundation, Hope for Lupus (Philippines), Fashion for Passion Gala, Kenneth Barlis Mask Donations, Pyramid Bistro Food Foundation, Larry Brown Ministries, Life Impact International (Thailand), Give Clean Water, and Gawad Kalinga (Philippines).
My specialty for these non-profits is fundraising and networking to provide necessary funding for their programs. A lot of my work is done behind the scenes through email, meetings and phone calls to encourage others to give. I have come to realize over the years, that not everyone has been given my talent for fundraising. Therefore, I always do my best for these wonderful groups so that they may continue to help as many women and children as possible.
I currently serve on the Board of Directors for both the Meadowlark Lemon Legacy Foundation and the Fil-Am BID, San Diego. I am a proud lifetime member of both the Pacific Arts Movement and Coalition of Asians in Entertainment. I am also a former Board of Director for the Rancho Riding Club, in which I served for three years in various capacities. As a skilled fundraiser, I was the Chairperson for the Santa Fe Christian Schools Annual Gala, which raised 1 million US Dollars. Most recently, I was the organizer of the 1st annual Fashion for Passion Gala held in San Diego, California that benefited the non-profits, Hope for Lupus and Care in Action (USA). Both organizations provide critical and life saving services to women and children in need. The dinner gala was attended by 300 people and raised tens of thousands of dollars through its entertainment provided by world-renowned entertainer, Patricia Javier, 2019 Noble Queen of the Universe, a presentation of acceptance crowns for the 2020 Noble Queen of the Universe, entertainer Aira-Bella Luna, hip-hop groupJor-Jay Boys, and a fashion show by International Celebrity Fashion Designer Kenneth Barlis. My skills for fundraising and bringing the Filipino-American community together helped to make this first annual gala not only a success, but a great time for all!
World Class Beauty Queens: What appearances have you done with your title?
Due to the global pandemic, traditional appearances have been greatly altered. Currently, I am working on a number of social media campaigns to help promote products that will help fund the Noble Queen of the Universe’s global missions. In my local community, I have began a project called “Feeding With Love,” that provides frontline healthcare workers with a complimentary to say “thank you,” for their hard work during the pandemic. This project is also providing monthly large scale events for a local eatery, Pyramid Bistro, impacted financially by restaurant closures. Another exciting community outreach is in partnership with International Celebrity Fashion Designer, Kenneth Barlis, to provide over 1,000 masks for teachers and students. These masks will allow for the safe re-opening of schools when possible. Kenneth Barlis and I also partnered together last December to provide over 250 Christmas meals for families in his hometown in the Philippines. Christmas was also a special time locally for me, as my fellow Noble Queens, including Noble Queen Tourism Janeen Streetman, located in Southern California helped deliver Christmas gifts to families in economic hardship for Hope Leadership Academy.
Virtual events have been very popular due to international travel restrictions. One of my favorite virtual events in addition to press interviews, speeches, and social media messages has been with my fellow Noble Queen Globe, Aditi Ahuja, who hosted an international virtual painting class. Queen Aditi, is the founder of Sprout Art Education in the Philippines and hosts virtual painting classes and other fundraisers to help support her art education programs for communities in the Philippines, no matter their economic status. I have also had the pleasure of speaking for Soroptimist International on the topic of Abuse Against Women on an International panel.
Due to not being geographically located near some of my projects (and not able to travel currently due to the pandemic,) in the Philippines, I have been relying on and supporting my predecessor, Patricia Javier, and Noble Queen International, Giselle Sanchez, and Pageant Founder, Eren McKaye Noche to help lead when I cannot be present. Queen Giselle Sanchez and I have partnered together to build a home for a family in need, and Pagent Founder Eren McKaye Noche along with Queen Patricia Javier have facilitated a number of projects including food donations, home building for typhoon victims and so much more. The pandemic has changed the way that the first three months of my title holding appearances have looked, but it hasn’t stopped me from meeting the needs of many women and children around the globe.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are some of your achievements?
It may sound cliché, but being a wife to my husband Allan, and mother to my three sons, is by far my greatest achievement in life. No earthly accolades will ever top the daily rewards of love and promises of a bright future that I see in my family. They have always supported and allowed me to be the best woman I can possibly be.
With their continued encouragement, I have become an accomplished equestrian. Over the years, I have won many championships, classics, and hunter derbies as an adult including the 2016 HITS Full-Circuit Horse-show Champion, 2018 HITS Half-Circuit Horse-Show Champion, 2018 HITS Second Half-Circuit Horse-Show Champion, 2018 HITS Full Circuit Horse-Show Champion, 2019 HITS Half-Circuit Horse-Show Champion, 2020 West Palms Adult Hunter Derby Champion. In addition to my athletic accomplishments, I have been recognized with many community awards, including the 2018 Fil-Am BID StarBlazer Award for San Diego recognizing my work with Filipino businesses. Soroptimist International of the Philippines Region Inc., has also recognized me recently for my efforts as a speaker on the topic of ending “Violence Against Women,” a topic that is close to my heart. Finally, I just received news that I am being recognized internationally for my work as a mental health advocate and being awarded as a 2021 Innovative Artist Welfare Association (IAWA), Iconic Woman of the Year. On top of all these wonderful accomplishments, being the 2020 Noble Queen of the Universe has allowed me to have an even larger platform to help so many more women in need.
World Class Beauty Queens: What makes you stand out from all those other beautiful girls?
CoCo Chanel once said, “Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself.” I am always myself. I embrace my flaws, my age, my height (only 5’2), and all the other nuisances of life and turn them into relatable assets. When others say something is impossible, too hard, or there’s just not enough time to do it, those negative words motivate me to work harder and smarter to reach those goals. In my case, I love helping people, whether that be my family, friends, or perfect strangers. That inner desire to want to be a better and more loving person is what I believe sets me apart.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about the moment your name was called out as the winner.
Since there was not a “live event,” where a winner was crowned, all of the delegates found out through email. We all had a live stream event for the 2020 delegates, along with the NQULI Board of Directors and former winners on the eve before results were emailed. It was all very exciting and for me it felt as if I were waiting to see if I had made it into the colleges of my choice. Since the pageant is based in the Philippines, and there is a 12 hour time difference, the emails for the United States delegates were sent in the over night hours. I remember waking up at all hours, because I couldn’t sleep due to excitement. It wasn’t until around 9am PST that I received my email informing me that I had won the main title of 2020 Noble Queen of the Universe. At the time, my family was in pandemic “lockdown,” together (as was everyone) so it was by far the most exciting news I had received in a year! First, I had tears of joy then the adrenaline rush kicked in and the family celebration began. Mind you, I was in my sweatpants…the official uniform of 2020.
World Class Beauty Queens: What does it mean to you to be a Beauty Queen?
A Beauty Queen to me is a woman that gives freely of herself and her talents, while balancing her duties to her husband, children, work, and advocacy. She is also encouraging and uplifting of all people around her to do the same. A beauty queen is not only beautiful, funny, athletic, inspirational, she is above all humble. That is my ideal of a modern Beauty Queen.
World Class Beauty Queens: How did competing in pageants helped your life?
The most rewarding aspect of competing is seeing that I am not alone in my efforts to be more than just a wife, mother, and professional. Having only boys, I have always taught them that women can balance family, friends, work, athletics & achieve all that men can. I want to be their role-model for what a modern, graceful, poised, accomplished woman can achieve. My fellow Noble Queen winners are also these type of women, whom I can lean on for support and to show my sons that women are powerful beings.
World Class Beauty Queens: How did pageants helped your selfesteem and body image?
Aging in most cultures comes with many stigmas, so becoming a Beauty Queen in my thirties’ has helped me overcome my fear of aging. I have embraced being the age I am, because I have life experience under my belt. Because of those life experiences, I can help so many more people in need, than I would have been able to, say in my teen’s or twenties. Pageants have also revived my belief in taking care of ones self physically and mentally, to achieve what is your personal best. For anyone that is struggling with self-esteem, my advice is to first work on self-acceptance and being the best version of yourself. Try new things, maybe like me and do a pageant for the first time in your thirties, after having three kids. Whatever the new experience may be, it will teach you many things about yourself and how you can better love all the imperfections of being you. I now love and accept all my imperfections.
World Class Beauty Queens: You are an inspiration to all the girls out there. How does it feel?
Overwhelming in the sense that young girls have so many pressures on them to be perfect physically and socially. I feel overwhelmed in that my job as a role-model to these young ladies to show them that beauty can be defined in so many ways and to be truly beautiful, one must first focus on their heart. By that, I want to show them that having a generous heart and spirit is how beauty radiates from within. The outward beauty will then flow from that generosity day in and day out. I hope to inspire a generation of young ladies to become charitable givers for life, so that their true beauty will never fade.
World Class Beauty Queens: What is your on stage strategy to win the judges over?
My strategy, no matter what the venue may be, is to make sure that my personality shines through. By that, I want to connect with the judges to show them that I am authentic through my presence, the way I carry myself, how I interact with fellow delegates, what my wardrobe choices are, and just the overall feeling that I leave them with. I also want to show my love of fashion and the appreciation that I have come to adore for timeless creativity by designers. Overall, I want to be the delegate that leaves the judges having that “oh wow,” moment forever in their mind.
World Class Beauty Queens: How did you prepare for your competition?
Preparing for the competition included a beauty regimen with my fellow delegate, Aira Bella Luna, 2020 Noble Queen Ambassador of Justice, keeping up with my fitness routine, healthy eating, getting as much sleep as possible, wardrobe and gown choices by my International Celebrity Fashion Designer and dear friend, Kenneth Barlis (used by me personally for all Noble Queen of the Universe appearances), and of course continuing to serve my community through all of the non-profits that are so dear to my heart.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for learning better pageant walk?
Seek a professional coach who specializes in pageantry walks. Personally, for me practice (and feedback)makes perfect. If you don’t practice, nothing can be perfected. Listen to those around you in how you can become better. Finally, use your walk to emphasize your wardrobe and assets. But, when it comes down to everything, practice is critical.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for choosing right pageant dress?
Choose a single designer that really speaks to your sense of style and can express your personality. For me, my dearest friend of over a decade, and International Celebrity Fashion Designer, Kenneth Barlis, is my favorite. Kenneth makes me feel like I am beautiful inside and out, the moment I slip one of his creations on. He just knows how to accentuate every curve of a woman’s body in the most flattering, feminine, couture, jaw-dropping way that is going to make the judges hearts stop. That is what every pageant dress, that is going to make an impression, should feel like. If you are not feeling like one hundred trillion dollars, then its not the right designer, or dress for you.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for winning interview?
Practice, practice, practice! Take the time to become as good of a public speaker as possible. Also, talk to as many different people possible with different worldly views other than yourself, to expand your horizons. I find that being empathetic towards others and their opinions helps expand your knowledge, on a variety of subjects. Always keep up on current events and know all sides of what may be taking place.
World Class Beauty Queens: What is one mistake that you've done during competing you wish you could redo and fix it?
Overall, I truly enjoyed all aspects of my first pageant. The one area that I would improve upon, is taking more time trying to memorize all the delegates names and where they were representing. For me, putting names to faces has always been a struggle and in the instance of a virtual pageant, it was made even more difficult. Thankfully, I now know each wonderful delegate extremely well!
World Class Beauty Queens: What other mistakes are made by girls during the contest?
A lot of girls rush through the process and forget to be in the moment. When they are distracted and not in the moment, their personality is lost. Once the focus and personality is gone, the judges tend to forget about them as a front runner.
World Class Beauty Queens: Any modeling or acting experience?
As a young girl, many opportunities existed for me to model through competitive dance. It wasn’t until 2016 that International Celebrity Fashion Designer, Kenneth Barlis, asked me to walk the runway and close his New York Fashion Week show. It was the thrill and honor of a lifetime. I also closed his 2017 Los Angeles Fashion Week show. There have been numerous times where I have modeled in Southern California, for charity events with my sons, in support of fantastic causes. By far, my favorite experiences are with Kenneth Barlis, because of how uniquely he expresses his creativity though his designs.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your plans for 2021 as a Queen?
First and foremost, I want to advocate, support, and host socially distant events for all the women who are frontline workers during this pandemic. Even in non-pandemic circumstances, women sacrifice so much and are often overlooked in the workplace, home, politics and even entire cultures. By showing women that they are seen and matter, I hope to inspire them to strive to reach their highest potential. Events include delivering free lunches, volunteering at food giving events, homeless shelter volunteering, and a personal favorite the giving of couture Designer Kenneth Barlis, face masks to teachers, students, and elderly.
Beyond honoring the women frontliners, I will continue to support my overseas efforts to help fight the impoverished circumstances of women and children through food giving events and the building of homes. As 2020 taught us all, there is great suffering all over the globe, so wherever I am needed, can be of assistance and called to serve others in 2021, I am ready and willing to be there as 2020 Noble Queen of the Universe!
World Class Beauty Queens: What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?
The number one legacy in life I will ever leave behind, are my children. For them, I always strive to be overwhelmingly generous to people who are in a less fortunate situation than myself because I’m so very blessed. This is something that I so dearly want them to engrain on their hearts and become generous beyond my wildest imagination. My greatest hope in my professional life, is for others to see me as a compassionate leader who’s not afraid to speak out for things that are unjust; and when somethings unjust that I become part of the solution, leaving things better than they were.
International Director: Eren McKaye Noche
National Director: Lotte Itto, Atorni Ton
Your Local Director:Patricia Javier
Pageant website:www.noblequeenuniverse.org/
Name of the Photographer and other credits
Gowns: Kenneth Barlis @realkennethbarlis www.kennethbarlis.com
Photography: Monique Hoppe @moniquehoppe_photography www.moniquehoppe.com
Hair/Make-Up: Aira Bella Luna for Fab Glam by Aira
@fabglambyaira www.fabglambyaira.co/ Thank you to my sponsors:
Kenneth Barlis
Fab Glam by Aira
Monique Hoppe Fine Photography
Risen Magazine
Calidi Bio
Queens Perfume by Patricia Javier
Doc Rob Chiropractic World Class Beauty Queens Magazine would like to say thank you for this wonderful interview. Interview by Derek Tokarzewski Owner/Editor in Chief of World Class Beauty Queens Magazine
Megan Camaisa 2020 Noble Queen of the Universe, World Class Beauty Queens Magazine, Gowns: Kenneth Barlis, Photo by Monique Hoppe, Hair/Make-Up: Aira Bella Luna for Fab Glam by Aira
Interview by Derek Tokarzewski Owner/Editor in Chief Mr United Nations 2018 Platform: Women Empowerment Ambassador to International Foundation for Orphans iffocares.org
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