Mrs. Global Universe 2020 Rosenda Casaje (Images courtesy of Instagram)
Pageantry has empowered Rosenda Casaje, a former beauty queen and entrepreneur, making her a confident woman today.
However, it's time for her to bid the pageant world adieu and focus on other things. With her stunning looks and achievements, Rosenda could still win another pageant for married women. But she's leaving pageantry to the younger generation.
'I learned a great deal from participating in the pageant. One of which is that it taught me how to be confident as a person in business and other activities. I need to show up to the people,' said Rosenda, President and CEO of Gorgeous Glow.
The fashionista celebrity recalled that she joined the pageant because it was her dream to be a beauty queen when she was still single.
'I just saw an ad inviting married women to join a beauty pageant. And that started the ball rolling,' she recalled.
In 2020, Rosenda was crowned Mrs. Global Universe during a competition held in Singapore.
Rosenda recalled nearly having an evening gown malfunction during the competition.
'Hindi pala kasya yung gown ko. Nag-fit ako okay naman pero dapat pala naglakad ako suot yung gown. However, I managed to pull it off during the contest. I had to sew the gown. (My evening gown didn't fit. I tried it on and it was okay. I should have walked around wearing the evening gown. But I managed to pull it off during the contest. I had to sew the gown),' she said.
When asked why she's no longer pursuing pageants, Rosenda cited her hectic schedule as a mom and a businesswoman.
'I'm also working on expanding my business, so it would be hard to focus on pageants,' she remarked. Now in its seventh year, Rosenda has ventured into selling beauty products online.
Rosenda, 35, admitted that she never had the opportunity to join the entertainment industry due to her business commitments and participation in pageants.
But Rosenda encouraged other married women to try pageants, especially now that the age requirement for beauty contests has been lifted.
'Why not? If you have the schedule, time, and budget to join pageants, then enter,' she also said.
Now, Rosenda enjoys attending Fashion Week events abroad. Recently, she was honored with the Icon of Elegance 2025 Award from Fashion Factor in Dubai.
'I love dressing up. But most of all, dressing up gives you confidence and makes you an empowered woman,' she added.