Beauty
These Filipina Queens Aren’t Just Playing the Game—They’re Changing It
They prove that owning their power and uplifting each other is true queen behavior.
Created with Cream Silk
For so long, we’ve seen how women are expected to follow, fit in, and play small like pawns in society’s molds, following moves and not making them—but no more.
Today’s queens refuse to be boxed in. They take command of the board and rewrite their own narratives, revealing that true power blossoms in living authentically, claiming one's space, and lifting others to make their own powerful moves alongside them.
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Preview.ph May 2025 | Photographed by Cenon at Mav.
A modern “queen” isn’t just a piece on the societal chessboard, moved according to expectation or a fleeting trend.
She’s the embodiment of her highest self—thriving on her terms and empowering a new generation to claim their crowns to rise with her. She lives her truest self out loud and makes her own rules. This way of being isn't just for her; it empowers a new generation to see their own worth, break free from those same molds, and rise up with her, each claiming their own power.
Embodying Queen Behavior
Today’s women are through with the competition set up by underlying expectations of achieving success, especially as young women. Their core belief is clear: Success doesn’t come in one shape, size, or storyline; It’s whatever they deem it to be.
True enough, this compelling “queen behavior”—the consistent boldness, unstoppable nature, and ownership of one’s journey—carries through, excelling in each unique path they choose, and these women are living proof.
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Nadine Lustre | Photographed by Cenon at Mav.
If there’s one thing actress and singer Nadine Lustre has mastered, it’s moving to the beat of her own heart. Whether in music or film, she refuses to conform to expectations because, for her, being a queen is staying true to herself.
Nadine puts great importance on her hair as her form of self-expression, reminding everyone that the most powerful crowns are the ones we craft ourselves.
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Kathryn Bernardo | Photographed by Cenon at Mav.
On the other hand, actress Kathryn Bernardo’s evolution in the public eye has been anything but ordinary. With quiet strength, she embraces growth and self-trust:
Today, Kathryn is more open to exploring new things, like trying different hairstyles that resonate with her personality. She considers these as one of her “pockets of success,” staying rooted in growth and grace.
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Marina Summers | Photographed by Cenon at Mav.
For Marina Summers, self-expression in drag is a vibrant and continuous transformation that extends beyond a simple stage act, deeply influencing every aspect of her artistic journey.
"We express [our thoughts, emotions, and stories] through our performances, our looks, even our hair. Drag and self-expression have paved the way in redefining beauty," she says.
Through her fearless performances and magnetic presence, Marina shows us that confidence is born from embracing every part of who we are—and when we do exactly that, we don't just take the stage; we own it.
Ayn Bernos, Jemima Reyes, Eva Le Queen, Cath Sobrevega, Minty Fresh, Kaizen Dela Serna, Sofia Yulo, Jamie Casiño, Myrrh Picache | Photographed by Cenon at Mav
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Bella Racelis | Photographed by Cenon at Mav.
In the beauty space, content creator Bella Racelis is a force of self-love and empowerment.
“Self-expression has shaped my career in a way that I was able to discover myself more... It served as an outlet for me to foster confidence and inspire my audience [to express themselves freely],” she shares.
Treating her hair as an accessory has been one of the ways she showcased her personality, proving that beauty isn’t all about chasing standards but being unapologetically yourself.
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Kim Cruz | Photographed by Cenon at Mav.
Demonstrating true "queen energy," artist and art therapist Kim Cruz's work goes beyond mere artistic creation.
"I started an art therapy foundation that focuses on healing kids and women specifically," she shares.
Her ability to weave passion with purpose is pure queen energy, using her gifts not only to express herself but to empower others around the world.
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Kim Kianna Dy | Photographed by Cenon at Mav.
On the court and beyond, volleyball player Kianna Dy shows that queen behavior is built on resilience. She tells us that as an athlete, she goes through many ups and downs.
Her story reminds us that true victory is earned through grit, discipline, and the relentless will to keep moving forward.
Bethany Talbot, G22 AJ, G22 Jazz, G22 Alfea, Kai Javier, Shaira Luna, Dra. Drolah Sanchez, Alenna Dawn, Reinabelle Reyes | Photographed by Cenon at Mav
Manila Padel Club CEO and founder Alenna Dawn, trans advocate and content creator Jamie Casiño, and Dr. Drolah Sanchez also shared how they manifested their queen behavior. For Alenna, it’s creating a future for women leading in sports. Meanwhile, for Jamie and Dr. Drolah, it’s being inspired by other women and sharing their passion for giving back the same support.
We love how Filipina astronomer Dr. Reinabelle Reyes put it: "Being a queen, for me, is having the power to break down barriers and open up opportunities for others."
Queens Reign Together
True enough, when queens from different worlds stand together in one powerful frame, they don't just share the spotlight; they expand it. Each woman brings her own brilliance, but when they move as one, they create a force that redefines strength, success, and queendom.
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Photographed by Cenon at Mav.
True queens know that collaboration, not competition, is the real catalyst. This understanding is perfectly captured by content creator Ayn Bernos, who shares:
By choosing to uplift rather than outshine, they break down barriers, open new doors, and create a world where every woman has room to rise.
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Photographed by Cenon at Mav.
This movement begins from within. As drag performer Eva Le Queen reminds us:
She continues, "You can speak good words to other people so that you can speak better about yourself."
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Photographed by Cenon at Mav.
In choosing to make their move and encouraging others to do the same, these queens ignite a ripple effect of empowerment.
Their unity tears down old barriers, proving that when women support women, they don't just grow individually—they rise higher together, reshaping the world around them.
The Queen Code: Unite, Uplift, Empower
There's something electric about seeing these queens—artists, athletes, performers, visionaries—captured in one frame.
Different crowns, different paths, yet the same unstoppable fire. Their unity draws a checkmate on the old myth that there's only room for one at the top.
Instead, each wears her unique crowning glory, passing the crown and the legacy onward to create even more space for brilliance to thrive.
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Photographed by Cenon at Mav.
Embodying the spirit of a true queen in this new era means proudly empowering others rather than simply adorning oneself with the crown. And to do that, it starts from within—you yourself must believe that you are beautiful and powerful.
Content creator Kai Javier reminds young Filipinas:
She advises, "Find what you like, and that's [what will] make you feel the most empowered and beautiful."
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Photographed by Cenon at Mav.
Meanwhile, student-athlete and content creator Bethany Talbot shares that if there's any queen behavior she'd like to pass on, it would be bravery through hard times.
"If you go through it headstrong, you'll come out the other side being stronger, wiser, and an improved version of yourself," she explains.
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Photographed by Cenon at Mav.
When one queen rises, she lifts countless others with her—proving that real power lies in the legacy we leave behind.
Just as these queens honor their unique journeys, Cream Silk empowers them to step out strong, polished, and unstoppable. A long-standing partner in every Filipina's path to strength and confidence, Cream Silk helps their crowning glory stay as beautiful, powerful, and full of life as the queens themselves—ready to change the world, one bold step at a time.
These Filipina queens aren’t just playing the game—they’re changing it. By owning their power, uplifting one another, and staying true to their journeys, they embody the “queen behavior” that Cream Silk champions: queens who move with purpose and lead with strength, confidence, and heart.
Now, it’s your turn to make a move—own your crown, claim your space, and change the game.
PRODUCED BY SUMMIT X
Photographer: Cenon at Mav (@cenonatmav)
Art Director: Bea Malonzo and Miguel Ong (@ongmiguel)
Preview.ph Creative Director: Bacs Arcebal (@bacsarcebal)
Summit X Creative Director: Katrin Cruz (@kjscrz)
Content Strategist: Celine Briones (@celinebriones)
Summit X Editor-in-Chief: Jamie Sanchez (@jamiexs)
Story: Fen Lozada (@nichilzd)
Social Media: Celine Briones
Preview.ph Social Media: Sophia Rosello (@sophiarosello)
Production Manager: Mary Joyce Lapasaran (@_joycelapasaran), Annycrist Marino (@annycrist) and Mary Paul Therese Agpalo (@agpalotherese)
Video Director: Jino Del Mundo (@jinooftheworld)
Videographers: John Mariano, Jo Tamesis
Video Producer: Ariza Adoptante
Video Production Manager: Chachi (@chathenapper)
Video Editor: Renz Mercado, Kimberly Nicole Pineda
Accounts: CJ Arceta (@cjarceta) and Dianne Suegay Dizon (@diannecdotes)
Implementor: Reggie Contreras
Studio: Gama Studio
Hair and Makeup: Muriel Vega Perez and Team (@murielvegaperez)
Stylist: Aldrin Ramos (@aldrin.ramos)
Assistant Stylist: Riah Liphad (@_ricarliphad)
Designers: Joseph Palma, ramostudio, Rap Soligam, Alison Castro, Angela Taloza, Malca, AJ Javier
Hair: Benito Tadlip for Kathryn Bernardo, Paul Nebres for Nadine Lustre, Dale Mallari for Marina Summers, Justine Tan (Martha Amethyst) for Eva Le Queen, Loisa Morota for Minty Fresh
Makeup: Owen Sarmiento for Kathryn Bernardo, Jelly Eugenio, custom for Nadine Lustre, Tiny Deluxe for Marina Summers, Eva Le Queen for themself, Minty Fresh for themself
Wardrobe: Kimi Yap-Sy, Boop Yap-Tañedo, Lulu Solis for Kathryn Bernardo; Qurator Studio, Steven Coralde, Leanne Ledesma, Shark Tanael, Martin Bautista, and Tiffany & Co jewels for Nadine Lustre; Elds Mejia for Marina Summers; Ehrran Montoya for Eva Le Queen; Angela Taloza for Minty Fresh
This article was created by Summit X in partnership with Cream Silk.