About Her / Tungol sa Kanya
Keishia Quijano is the latest holder of the Miss Philippines UK title in 2019. Additionally, she is an Investment Banker by profession, and an alumni from Durham University with a Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (PPE).
Having set up many successful and profitable businesses that support and empowers disadvantaged communities, her latest endeavour is setting up @FilBrit.ish - a cross channel media business that highlights Filipino-British businesses and talent.
As “a proud Filipina (Caviteña) who grew up in the UK”, the goal of @FilBrit.ish is “to have a platform to influence society and highlight the talent we Filipinos have and bring to the UK (and the world)... We aren’t lost in-between cultures and identities but are making our own that blends the beauty of both and that we are proud of.”
The Importance of Miss Philippines UK
Keishia Quijano being crowned Miss Philippines UK in 2019 serves as an inspiration to many Filipino youths in the UK to do their best in their chosen field and proudly represent their heritage abroad.
In addition, she has become a role model for many that seeks a place between their host and heritage country, the UK, and the Philippines- especially as she founded the FilBritish, an organization that highlights the talents of Filipino businesses to the UK and around the world!
Interview Summary Report
A bot, a figurine with pink hair, and a character with a parrot on its shoulder. These were likely the first things people saw as they entered Project Okibu’s second successful live event starring the current crown of Miss Philippines UK, Keishia Quijano.
Hosted in a cosily decorated Gather.town room with green chairs, low lit lamps, a host sofa with complimentary refreshments and camera (let’s not forget the merry buffet at the side), we begin Keishia’s interview by beginning to know more about her background.
Every Oak Tree Comes From an Acorn
Born in Manila, raised in Kent, and studied at Durham University, Keishia won the title of:
Miss Philippines UK in 2019 after being scouted at a Filipino hairdresser.
Despite living in a predominantly white community, Keishia has always been in touch with her roots. A life filled with Filipino food and parties, church, debuts (and currently learning Filipino Martial Arts!), and an annual trip back home, despite moving from one continent to another, she never forgot her heritage. And it was our culture, full in its diversity and uniqueness that provided her with an intense passion to learn more about her Filipino heritage as she grew up.
Go Big or Go Home
Originally, hesitant with pageantry- a field she never even thought of joining in her life, after an impromptu hairdressers appointment she was scouted because of her height (5'10"!)
A self-described show-off who enjoys some time in the limelight, and an opportunist who isn’t afraid of a challenge, she later agreed to compete as she thought that there is nothing to lose if she didn’t win, but saw the doors and what potential could open up to her if she did. It gave her the chance to get a platform for self-expression and wanted to prove to herself that she can be the champion of her people and represent our community, talent and culture.
“Filipinos are known for their hospitality, not just outside of their culture, but also within as our loyalties go further than a blood-bond but extends to the whole community.”
Her advocacies include:
Starting several social enterprises as part of an organisation called Enactus Durham, Keishia set up profit-making businesses which reinvest their profits into disadvantaged communities, such as women's education and causes such as tackling food waste & food poverty
Living a busy life, it is without question that her passion and dedication still continue to this day. The night before this meeting (February 18), she strutted the runway during London’s fashion week yet was bright and smiling during this interview.
Q&A
Have you ever had trouble switching back and forth?
Originally undergoing an identity crisis (which she believes every multicultural kid experiences at one point in their life), she questioned: “where do we fit in?”
There always felt like we multicultural kids were always pigeon-holed and allotted a designated 'one-box-or-the-other' identity.
However, she wanted to spread the idea that we could fit into both and be our own 'personal mix, or HALO HALO, of both cultures' . Despite trolling online, she wants to prove ‘the bashers’ wrong and spread the idea of being proud of your mixed identity.
With colonialism, many Filipinos aren’t 100% ‘pure’.
Be proud to be your own halo-halo.
Was achieving MPUK your milestone? Was MPUK that glue to your identities?
It was certainly a catalyst. It made her have a better appreciation about how cool the Philippines is.
So many celebrities have Pinoy heritage but won’t often champion their Filipino side. When people think of ‘Asia’, she wants to include the name of the Philippines too and be a beacon in helping third culture kid Filipinos as well as other cultures on their journey, because she, too, is learning herself.
Obstacles in heritage?
She believes it depends on what is trendy. Currently, there seems to be a big movement in different cultures becoming ‘cooler’- it begins with trends and then becomes more mainstream.
As a child, she didn't really actively consider the self-expression of her heritage, but because of the current trend and bigger emphasis on self-identity, it raises a new opportunity to champion cultures/heritage:
How do you do that? How do you integrate your heritage into your daily life? How to market your identity in real-life and online?
A part of this self-identity and advocating for her people is the founding of her own company, “Filbrit.ish”, which highlights Filipino businesses and talent in the UK (with the intention of reaching out to further locations). Other Filipino-Brits are taking their identity and expressing it in their personal way - something she wants to shine a spotlight on.
The current highlight focuses on the food industry as it seems to be the gateway in spreading cultures. By uploading small videos and reels showcasing these businesses and talents,
She wants people to connect or click with the richness in our background, hopefully motivating them to learn more about our culture.
Do you have any plans to join Miss Universe?
It is the next step and is not a matter of ‘if’ but a matter of ‘when’, with the aims to do so in the next one to two years.
Are beauty pageants are out of date?
The big international pageants (Universe, World, Earth etc.) are actually now focusing more on advocacy and how the contestants champion the causes that they fight for. The glitz and glamour tend to be more to catch the attention of others but in order to create a platform for others to listen to their advocacy and be influenced to find their own. However, she does understand that out of date perception because there are still a lot of small pageantries out there who only focus on fame and fortune.
Be proud of who you are and what your ancestors have given us
This year Keishia hands over to the next person: responsibilities have been relinquished but journey hasn’t ended.
She can’t wait to see Filbrit.ish grow and for our fellow kaibigans to embrace who they are, as well as finding their own mix of the foundations to their halo halo. She is keen to see other’s achievements, and for the community to gather around all these individuals and raise our flag even higher.
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