Celebrity cousins on having beauty inside and out
Published Dec 21, 2025 08:09 am
Growing up surrounded by beautiful women can be intimidating. Still, for celebrity cousins Maxine Medina, Dianne Medina, and beauty CEO Anna Perez, their family connection became a source of support and inspiration.
First cousins (from left): Miss Universe PH 2016 Maxine Medina, beauty CEO Anna Perez, and TV host Dianne Medina at the launch of My Saiko Skin
Anna just quipped when asked if there was pressure growing up alongside equally good-looking relatives: “Yes, there’s pressure. Ibang level si Dianne at si Maxine. Ako pang-utak lang. (Dianne and Maxine are on a different level. I'm more of the brains.)"
Dianne was particularly quick to dismiss any notion of rivalry when all three of them came together for the launch of Anna's latest J-beauty product, My Saiko Skin. “We’re blessed with good genes, of course, and we’re very thankful,” she said. “But there’s no competition between us. We really support and help one another.”
She said there are a total of 30 first cousins in their family, and she recalled that all of them have consistently shown up for each other’s milestones. “When Ate Anna launched her business, we were there. When Maxine competed in Miss Universe, we were all there to cheer for her,” she said.
Maxine, who represented the Philippines at Miss Universe 2016 and placed third runner-up, is now a hands-on mother to her toddler son Zeke. She recalled how awkward she was as a child.
“What I went through before was really bad,” Maxine said. “I was bashed because of my skin color. When you’re a teenager, you have pimples, and I had a lot of insecurities.”
She said her perspective began to change when she learned the importance of self-care from the women in her family. “I saw it from my cousins, my sisters, my grandmother, and my mom,” she said. “That’s when I realized I needed to take care of my skin and, more importantly, be confident.”
Before motherhood, Maxine admitted she followed a lengthy beauty routine, but her priorities have since changed.
“Now, when I wake up, I think about my baby first,” she said. “So my routine is reduced. It’s helpful that skincare technology is more advanced now. One product, plus sunscreen, and you can go on with your day.”
New mom Maxine Medina with her son Zeke and husband, Timmy Llana (Instagram)
She said this simplicity allows her to balance motherhood, work, and personal well-being. Maxine is currently breastfeeding full-time and shared that she hopes to return to showbiz very soon so that she can work again.
Dianne agreed with Maxine on how motherhood has reshaped her daily routine.
“As a busy mom juggling hosting, acting, live-selling, and being a news anchor, I don’t really have time for 10-step skincare, so Anna's product, My Saiko Skin, is very helpful," she noted.
On the subject of ageing, Maxine said it is no longer a source of fear, crediting lessons passed down by their grandmother.
“She raised us to be very mindful of skincare,” she revealed. “Growing up, I realised I just needed to be confident in myself.”
Anna, for her part, said watching her younger cousins' journey has been inspiring.
“I’ve seen them grow and blossom and then transition into motherhood. Now I am happy that they embrace ageing with beauty and confidence, like me!," she said, candidly.