13 things about Universal Woman 2024 Maria Gigante

Maria Sesaldo Gigante represented Cebu, Philippines in the 11th edition of Miss World Philippines. She represented the country in the second edition of Universal Woman.

BIOGRAPHY

Gigante is a Filipino food stylist, host, model and beauty queen from Santa Fe, Bantayan Island, Cebu, Philippines. She previously lived in Bacayan, Tambaban, Cebu City, Philippines.

On September 8, 2025, Gigante turned 31. Here are 10 more things about her:

1. She was born and raised in Cebu.
2. She is the eldest of seven children.
3. From 2006 to 2010, she attended Sacred Heart School in Cebu City.
4. From 2010 to 2014, she went to the University of San Carlos in Cebu City where she earned her bachelor’s degree in philosophy.
5. She was Miss Cebu 2013 second runner-up.
6. She was a Reyna ng Aliwan 2014 second runner-up.
7. She was a Binibining Pilipinas 2016 candidate.
8. She is Bb. Cebu Charity 2017.
9. She was a Miss World Philippines 2022 finalist.
10. She is Universal Woman Philippines 2024.
11. She won Universal Woman 2024.
12. She was a Miss World Philippines 2024 host.
13. She was a Miss Universe Cambodia 2024 host.

TIMELINE

Gigante is 5’8″ tall. She is the first Filipino beauty queen to win Universal Woman.

2010s

• On January 16, 2013, she competed against 11 other Miss Cebu 2013 candidates at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino in Cebu City. She was second runner-up to Namrata Neesha Murjani.
• In March 2013, she joined Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation as a volunteer.
• On April 26, 2014, she represented Palawod Festival of Bantayan Island at Reyna ng Aliwan 2014 at the Aliwan Theater in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines. She, Hazel Trasmonte and Michelle Monte were second runners-up to Steffi Aberasturi.
• On April 17, 2016, she competed against 39 other candidates at Binibining Pilipinas 2016 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Metro Manila. She was unplaced.
• On October 28, 2017, she represented Bantayan Island at Bb. Cebu 2017 and competed against 53 other candidates at the Pacific Grand Ballroom of the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino in Cebu City. She was runner-up to Apriel Smith and was crowned Bb. Cebu Charity 2017.
• 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. 

2020s

• 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, she and Castro 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.
• 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. She finished in the Top 11.
• On January 26, 2024, she was officially appointed Universal Woman Philippines 2024.
• 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.
• On July 19, 2024, she co-hosted the Miss World Philippines 2024 coronation ceremony at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City with Billy Crawford, Teejay Marquez and Emmanuelle Vera.
• On August 29, 2024, she co-hosted the Miss Universe Cambodia 2024 coronation ceremony at the Camwood CTN Studio in Phnom Penh with Leav Veng Hour.
• On September 29, 2024, she crowned her successor Universal Woman Philippines 2025 Sophia Bianca Santos at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Pasay City.