With a pair of beauty titles and a degree in Interior Design at the University of the Philippines, single parent to an only son Cobie, who is pursuing college at Fordham University, Alma Concepcion exemplifies women empowerment.
From winning Miss Hawaiian Tropic Philippines in 1992 at 15 and Bb. Pilipinas-International in 1994 at 17, Concepcion, now 43, has her eyes on the Ms. & Mrs. Grand Universe title, which pageant is happening in Manila from Sept. 20 to 27.
Concepcion, who made several movies after her Top 15 and Miss Friendship finish at Miss International 1994 in Japan, is the granddaughter of Monang Carvajal, dubbed the Queen of Horror movies in the pre-war era. She married lawyer Rodolfo Punobut, after having a son, later got separated.
Working as an interior designer and actress, Concepcion raised her son and recently was so proud of him having entered the prestigious Fordham University in New York, USA.
Concepcion, who loves to read books and a physical fitness enthusiast, continues to pursue her anti-drug advocacies, which she said in support of the government’s war on drugs campaign to have an environment that is free of drugs for the next generation.
She said this issue is very close to her as she she can talk about it and use her personal experience as reference. She had a past involving drug use. She had pleaded guilty to possessing illegal substance after getting arrested in Guam in 1998.
Meanwhile, the Ms. & Mrs. Grand Universe pageant, is organized by Guinto entertainment Production, headed by Mrs. Universe Philippines 2016 Jenny Guinto and World Supermodel Philippines 2017 Angela Janine Torres.
The mother-and-daughter team came up with the Ms. and Mrs. Grand Universe out of their desire to provide a platform for women (whose ages are beyond the standard age for beauty contests) to share stories of inspiration for other women who may also be raising their children on their own, or faced with life’s crises such as loss of a spouse or aging.
The pageant also aims to raise funds for the benefit of charitable institutions in the Philippines, specially, those that provides home to the abused and abandoned women and children.