Maria Sesaldo Gigante is a Filipino food stylist, model and beauty queen born and raised in Cebu, Philippines. She is the first Universal Woman from the Philippines.

Currently based in Santa Fe, Santayan Island, Cebu, Gigante previously lived in Bacayan, Tambaban, Cebu City, Philippines. She is the eldest of seven children.

Gigante is 5’8″ tall. Here are 13 more things about her:

1. From 2006 to 2010, she attended Sacred Heart School in Cebu City.
2. From 2010 to 2014, she went to the University of San Carlos in Cebu City where she earned her bachelor’s degree in philosophy.
3. In March 2013, she joined Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation as a volunteer.
4. She is Miss Cebu 2013 second runner-up.
5. She is Reyna ng Aliwan 2014 second runner-up.
6. On April 17, 2016, she competed against 39 other candidates at Binibining Pilipinas 2016 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines. She was unplaced.
7. On October 28, 2017, she represented Bantayan at Bb. Cebu 2017 and competed against 53 other candidates at the Pacific Grand Ballroom of Waterfront Cebu City Hotel in Cebu City. She was runner-up to Apriel Smith and was crowned Bb. Cebu Charity 2017.
8. On October 19, 2018, she crowned her successor Bb. Cebu Charity 2018 Tracy Maureen Perez at the Pacific Grand Ballroom of Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino. 
9. On March 10, 2020, she and Javier Filosa Castro, then 25, were caught drinking beer at a beach in Basdiot, Moalboal, Cebu while Cebu was under enhanced community quarantine amid the new coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. They were charged with disobedience to a person in authority, falsification of public document and two ordinance violations. On May 13, 2020, they were released from the Moalboal Police Station after posting bail of 48,000 pesos ($900) each and transferred to Argao, Cebu where they were quarantined.
10. On June 5, 2022, she represented Cebu at Miss World Philippines 2022 and competed against 35 other candidates at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Metro Manila. She finished in the Top 11.
11. On September 8, 2023, she turned 29.
12. On January 26, 2024, she was officially appointed Universal Woman Philippines 2024.
13. On March 22, 2024, she represented the Philippines at Universal Woman 2024 and competed against 43 other candidates at PNN TV in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. She won the title.

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