Motherhood and being a beauty queen are not the easiest to combine. But here is a wife and mother of three, who’s one of Cebu’s top pediatricians and a faculty member of a medical school.
Dr. Stephanie Tiro-Sitoy has proven that she’s not only good at multitasking, she’s also still the fairest of them all at 40-something:
She was recently crowned Mrs. Globe Philippines 2014.
The Miss Cebu Tourism 1993 runner-up bagged the title and the honor to represent the country in the international arena this November. With health and wellness as her main advocacy, she recently appeared in an exhibit pushing for breastfeeding as the most healthy option for moms who have just given birth.
With a whistlebait waistline of 24 inches, the statuesque physician (standing 5’10”) could make heads turn as she becomes her own walking billboard of living a healthy lifestyle.
Dr. Stephanie Tiro-Sitoy
What are your early memories of beauty pageants?
Actually I have vague memories of beauty pageants since I was concentrating on school activities that time. But I remember watching pageants on TV, especially the Q & A. What I could really remember was that when I was a little girl, I watched “Wonder Woman” Lynda Carter during the Miss USA pageant and I wanted to be like her. Hahaha! I was such a huge fan! After college, I joined and won my first pageant.
You have joined and won several pageants here in Cebu. Why didn’t you continue joining when you were in your early 20s?
It’s tempting to join national pageants when you’re in your early 20s, but I’ve always prioritized my studies especially that I had always been on the honor roll or dean’s list.
So your beauty queen dream had to take a back seat in favor of your medical studies.
Definitely. Although I joined the local pageants here in Cebu when I started medical school at Cebu Institute of Medicine.
Why did you decide to become a pediatrician?
I’ve always liked kids.
How did you meet your husband?
I met him during our residency training in Cebu Doctors Hospital. I had my pediatrics training and he had his internal medicine. I was in a long distance relationship then, and my husband was just one of my barkada in the hospital. I didn’t know that he was already smitten with me on our first meeting. He invited me out on a date even if he knew that I was taken. But I never went out with him unless I was with the group. When I broke up with my boyfriend, my husband and I continued our friendship. And that was when I realized that I was falling for him.
Is it an advantage that you married a doctor also?
Marriage is a separate entity from profession. I am lucky and happy to have married my husband because we have superb chemistry. We share the same values, sentiments and love. His being a doctor is a bonus because we share that act of helping people with health problems.
Is it difficult to balance your medical profession with family life?
I have no difficulty in balancing family life and my profession. It’s just a matter of time management. When you have the passion, anything is possible.
Your husband has been very supportive of you. Would you consider him a stage husband?
Yes, I must admit that he is a stage husband and I’m proud of that. He takes care of me despite his busy schedule.
Who encouraged you to join the regional search, and then the national pageant?
I had no idea of the pageant until my friend, who’s make-up artist, asked me to join last year. Unfortunately, it came in conflict with my schedule. Then came the Miss Cebu winners reunion last January when (model agent) Danny Booc asked me to join. This time, there was no conflict with my schedule.
I won the regional pageant in March 2014, and the national title in May.
It’s a cutthroat competition in Manila. How did you deal with the backstage drama?
It was a tough competition, especially when I learned that other candidates were previous winners of national or international pageants such as Bb. Pilipinas, Mutya ng Pilipinas, Miss Earth, Miss Global Supermodel, Miss Asia Pacific. Dealing with them was not much of a problem since they have become my friends.
What is the most memorable part of the national pageant?
Most memorable was the last two days of the preparation. A day before the pageant, my make-up artist, whom I trusted backed out. I felt really bad. Luckily, I came to know John Cuay who helped me look for a replacement. I ended up with May Francisco who happened to be the make-up artist of Megan Young in Miss World. My next dilemma was on the pageant day itself. My friend-escort, who mistakently thought the pageant would be held in the morning, could no longer make it in the evening, leaving me without an escort. Luckily, the problem was solved and his substitute arrived 30 minutes before the pageant and I was able to catch up with the last-minute rehearsals.
Cebu is on a winning streak at national pageants. What makes a Cebuana special?
Cebuanas are natural beauties with charm, wit and confidence.
What’s your secret in staying fit?
I love to eat but I am health-conscious. The gym is part of my routine—I dance , I box, I swim, and do Muay Thai and yoga.
What do you think made you win the crown?
I guess I was transparent and natural because the judges and press commented that I was not trying hard to impress them. And that I was genuine in the way I project myself.
How are you preparing for the international pageant?
I have realized that I’m now representing the Philippines and I’m doing maximum effort to give my best. In my checklist of improvements are: personality, physical
attributes, make-up application, knowledge enrichment. Quite a long and challenging list!
Do you have an advocacy that you are actively pursuing?
The first in line is advocacy to health. Others are education, fight against child and women abuse, environmental awareness. Quite diverse and ambitious, but in the different affiliations that I am connected with, I wish that I could really pursue all these for a better world.
Who are your Top 3 favorite beauty queens of all time?
There are two Filipinas that I really admire— Gemma Cruz and Margie Moran, who both exemplify poise, confidence, beauty, intellect and dedication even after their reign. The third one is Miss World 1994, Aishwarya Rai, hailed most beautiful woman. She has been UN ambassador for UNAIDS, goodwill ambassador of Smile Train that provides free cleft lip and palate surgery and several other humanitarian activities. These three beauties are my inspiration that someday somehow I could do something not just for the Philippines but for the world.
Do you have regrets not joining Binibining Pilipinas before?
Perhaps. But I believe that for everything there is a reason. I may not be meant for Bb. Pilipinas but I am for Mrs. Philippines.
What are you proudest about yourself?
I am proud of my confidence, how I carry myself regardless of how my day turned out.
What are you most insecure about your looks?
Insecurity is negative and I don’t linger on negativity. I am not perfect but I have embraced my imperfections perfectly.
PHOTOS
Dr. Francis Xavier Solis
GOWN
Harley Ruedas
HAIR & MAKE-UP
Romero Vergara