Meet Alexie Mae Brooks, a former vegetable vendor and the representative of Iloilo City in Miss Universe PH 2024
ALEXIE MAE BROOKS – The former vegetable vendor will represent Iloilo City in Miss Universe Philippines 2024.
Born in Metro Manila in 2001 to a mother working as an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Lebanon, Alexie Mae Caimoso Brooks found her roots in the mountainous town of Leon, Iloilo, under the care of her grandmother, Basing.
Growing up without knowing her father, Brooks attributes her success and dreams to her grandmother, stating, “My grandma is my life, she’s the drive, Without her, I don’t think I would be the same Alexie that I am right now.”
Despite facing the challenges of being bullied for her skin color and curly hair, along with financial struggles, Brooks persevered. Recounting difficult times in Leon, she mentioned, “My life isn’t easy back in Leon. I often get bullied for being black. I don’t have my parents growing up. At times I didn’t have lunch going to school.”
Under the loving care of Lola Basing, Brooks excelled academically, becoming an athlete with numerous gold medals in high jump competitions both locally and internationally. Even after school, she would help her grandmother sell vegetables in the market.
With dreams of becoming a beauty queen since childhood, Brooks achieved that dream on January 14, winning the Miss Iloilo 2024 title and receiving several awards. She dedicated her success to her beloved Lola Basing, emphasizing the selfless love and encouragement she received.
Netizens have compared the 22-year-old Ilongga beauty queen to Zozibini Tunzi from South Africa, the Miss Universe 2019 winner. Brooks is now preparing to represent Iloilo City in the upcoming Miss Universe Philippines 2024, the country’s most prominent beauty pageant. Her journey from a vegetable vendor to a beauty queen stands as a testament to her resilience and determination to overcome life’s adversities.
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