X
TAP top app download banner
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
EnglishFilipino
Product Guide
Sign in
  • Money Tips
    • Savings
    • Insurance
    • Loans
    • Investments
    • Government Benefits
  • Building a BakuNation
  • Becoming a Parent
    • Trying to Conceive
    • Pregnancy
    • Delivery
    • Losing a Baby
    • Project Sidekicks
  • Ages & Stages
    • Baby
    • Toddler Years
    • Preschool Age
    • Kids
    • Preteen & Teen
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • News
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Health & Wellness
    • Diseases & Injuries
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
    • COVID-19
  • Education
    • Preschool
    • K-12
    • Special Education Needs
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Celebrities
    • Contests & Promotions
    • Home
    • Travel and Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Fitness
    • Wellness
    • Money
  • Become a VIP
  • Press Room
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping

Miss New Zealand visits her Pinay mom's relatives in Pangasinan

3 min read
Miss New Zealand visits her Pinay mom's relatives in Pangasinan

New Zealand's bet to win the Miss Universe crown half-Filipino Tania Dawson visited her mom's hometown and their relatives in Pangasinan

Less than a month before she is to compete for the Miss Universe crown, Miss New Zealand-Universe Tania Dawson took time to visit her mom’s hometown in Pangasinan.

Despite the busy itinerary crafted by the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) for all the candidates, Tania was able to squeeze in a quick 2-day visit to a town in Lingayen, where her mother was born.

Before arriving in Manila today I went and saw my family in Pangasinan ?‍?‍?‍??‍?‍?‍??‍?‍?‍??‍?‍??‍?‍?‍??‍?‍?‍??‍?‍?‍? #newzealand #philippines #65thmissuniverse #munz #missuniverse #samala #roadtomissuniverse2016 #missuniversenz

A photo posted by MISS UNIVERSE NZ 2016, Tania (@tpdgurl) on Jan 12, 2017 at 12:31am PST

Tania’s mom Margarita Garcia Palabay, was born and spent her childhood in Barangay San Vicente in Santa Maria. She then moved to Baguio City when she was in high school and she met Tania’s father when she started working. As the report goes, Margarita migrated to New Zealand in the 1980s, where they raised their three sons and only daughter, their youngest Tania.

A photo posted by MISS UNIVERSE NZ 2016, Tania (@tpdgurl) on Jan 11, 2017 at 6:21pm PST

According to an Inquirer report, Tania had e-mailed Doris Ramos, the municipal tourism officer regarding her intended visit. She also expressed her interest in paying a courtesy call to Mayor Teddy Ramos and Gov. Amado Espino III.

Who is excited?!? Not long until I head off on an adventure of a lifetime! ? #samala #samalacosmetics #newzealand #65thmissuniverse #missuniverse2016 #missuniversenz #munz

A photo posted by MISS UNIVERSE NZ 2016, Tania (@tpdgurl) on Jan 4, 2017 at 11:35pm PST

However, the MUO (MUO) initially didn’t give Tania permission to veer away from the set schedule for candidates.

“[MUO] gave us certain requirements that were impossible for us to comply with,” revealed Doris Ramos to the Inquirer. “But we have prepared everything, including Tania’s itinerary and welcome tarpaulins.”

Based on Tania’s recent Instagram post, however, it seems that the visit did push through, but it was not the first time the Kiwi beauty would have visited her mom’s hometown.

Learn more about her 2012 visit on the next page

According to the Inquirer, Tania stayed at their grandparents’ ancestral house in Sta. Maria, Pangasinan back in 2012. Accompanying her were her mom and three older brothers.

Tania’s grandfather described the 24-year-old beauty queen to the Inquirer as polite, respectful, and committed to speaking better Tagalog.

Sharing my first experience in a helicopter with @missuniversephilippines @maxine_medina #missuniverse #missuniversenz #munz #roadtomissuniverse2016 #philippines #adventure #newzealand #samala #samalacosmetics

A photo posted by MISS UNIVERSE NZ 2016, Tania (@tpdgurl) on Dec 13, 2016 at 5:31am PST

She also enjoyed Filipino food, particularly boiled camote (sweet potato) tops, santol, and siniguwelas

A photo posted by MISS UNIVERSE NZ 2016, Tania (@tpdgurl) on Jan 3, 2017 at 10:18pm PST

She would walk to the town proper, where she charmed the townspeople who eventually dubbed her “Marimar”, after the popular Mexican telenovela character.

While in the Philippines, she also visited Alaminos City and Boracay, where relatives predicted she would become a beauty queen one day.

Advertisement

A photo posted by MISS UNIVERSE NZ 2016, Tania (@tpdgurl) on Jan 10, 2017 at 7:53pm PST

READ: Proud mom of Pia Wurtzbach reveals why she wasn’t at the Miss Universe 2015 pageant

Be sure to check out theAsianparent Community for more insightful stories, questions, and answers from parents and experts alike. If you have any insights, questions or comments regarding the topic, please share them in our Comment box below. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Google+ to stay up-to-date on the latest from theAsianparent.com Philippines!

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Bianchi Mendoza

Become a Contributor

  • Home
  • /
  • Celebrities
  • /
  • Miss New Zealand visits her Pinay mom's relatives in Pangasinan
Share:
  • 'The Day after Mother's Day' Thoughts: Who Are You Kung Hindi Ikaw Si "Mommy"?

    'The Day after Mother's Day' Thoughts: Who Are You Kung Hindi Ikaw Si "Mommy"?

  • Dapat Si Daddy Na Ang Mag-Birth Control: Why It's Time for Dads to Consider Vasectomy

    Dapat Si Daddy Na Ang Mag-Birth Control: Why It's Time for Dads to Consider Vasectomy

  • Claudia Barretto Wedding Sparks Debate: Is It an Obligation to Include Your Father as “Father of the Bride”?

    Claudia Barretto Wedding Sparks Debate: Is It an Obligation to Include Your Father as “Father of the Bride”?

  • 'The Day after Mother's Day' Thoughts: Who Are You Kung Hindi Ikaw Si "Mommy"?

    'The Day after Mother's Day' Thoughts: Who Are You Kung Hindi Ikaw Si "Mommy"?

  • Dapat Si Daddy Na Ang Mag-Birth Control: Why It's Time for Dads to Consider Vasectomy

    Dapat Si Daddy Na Ang Mag-Birth Control: Why It's Time for Dads to Consider Vasectomy

  • Claudia Barretto Wedding Sparks Debate: Is It an Obligation to Include Your Father as “Father of the Bride”?

    Claudia Barretto Wedding Sparks Debate: Is It an Obligation to Include Your Father as “Father of the Bride”?

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Money Tips
  • Building a BakuNation
  • Pregnancy
  • Parenting
  • Lifestyle Section
  • FAMILY & HOME
  • TAP Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
  • India flag India
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
  • Australia flag Australia
  • Japan flag Japan
  • Nigeria flag Nigeria
  • Kenya flag Kenya
© Copyright theAsianparent 2025. All rights reserved
About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it