it's a huge honor for Binibining Pilipinas Universe 2016 Maxine Medina to share the small screen with former pageant queens.
Note she is to appear in GMA-7's "First Lady" alongside Pilar Pilapil (Binibining Pilipinas Universe 1967) and Francine Prieto (2003 Binibining Pilipinas Top 12 finisher).
Maxine shared in a recent interview: "Kaya po ako na-excite to be part of 'First Yaya,' kasi since day 1 ng taping magka-chika na kami ni Tita Pilar. Ang dami niyang kinukwento sa akin about her past, nung nanalo siya as Miss Universe Philippines."
"Nag-lo-look forward po ako na baka maging katulad din po ako niya," she added, referring to Pilar's success as actress.
As for Francine, Maxine said, "Yes. Like Tita Pilar, sobrang happy po ako to be working with her. I look up to both of them."
The show features another beauty queen in Thia Thomalla, Miss Eco International 2018.
According to Maxine she and Thia have become quite close inasmuch as they share the same room while in lock-in taping.
In any case, Thia told us she is no longer keen on competing as beauty queen.
The Filipino-German from Leyte shared she was supposed to stage a comeback in 2020, but the pandemic happened.
"Sad to say God has other plans for me," she said. "So ngayon tanggap ko na yung reason niya para sa akin, yung path Niya para sa akin. And I'm really happy where I am right now."
Thia is happy to have found a new career as an actress. And she wants to focus on that.
"And as of now, I'm turning 27 this month so papunta na ako sa disqualification sa age. Di na talaga pwede, kaya mag move on na tayo. Uso na yung move on ngayon," she quipped.
Thia gave a parting message to fans: "With that being said, I would like to thank all my pageant supporters."
"First Lady" will be airing this Feb. 14 on GMA.