Katarina Rodriguez

Katarina Sonja Rodriguez (born 1 August 1992) is a Filipino-American MTV VJ, athlete, model, and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss World Philippines 2018 and Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental 2017. She represented the Philippines in Miss Intercontinental 2017 where she placed as the first runner-up and also represented the Philippines in the Miss World 2018 competition.[2]

Katarina Rodriguez
Born	Katarina Sonja Rodriguez (1992-08-01) 1 August 1992 Orlando, Florida, U.S.[1]
Alma mater	De La Salle University
Home town	Davao City, Davao del Sur, Philippines
Height	5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
Title	Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental 2017 Miss World Philippines 2018
Beauty pageant titleholder
Hair color	Brown
Eye color	Light Brown
Major competition(s)	Asia’s Next Top Model 2014 (2nd Runner Up) Binibining Pilipinas 2017 (Winner -Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental 2017) Miss Intercontinental 2017 (1st Runner Up) Miss World Philippines 2018 (Winner - Miss World Philippines 2018) Miss World 2018 (Unplaced)

She rose to fame after placing third in the second season of Asia’s Next Top Model in 2014[3][4] She later placed as the 1st runner-up in Miss Intercontinental 2017 after having been crowned Miss Intercontinental Philippines 2017 at the Binibining Pilipinas 2017 pageant.[5] She was also crowned as Miss World Philippines 2018.[6]

Early life

Rodriguez was born in Orlando, Florida to Filipino parents. Her mother is from Manila while her dad is from Davao. She spent her childhood going back and forth the United States and the Philippines every other year.[7]

She attended high school in Orlando and recounted the bullying she experienced at school, which would later on help her develop "tough skin" before finally moving permanently to the Philippines with her family. In Manila, she pursued and completed a double major in Business Management and Philosophy from the De La Salle University.[8][9]

She is also a cycling instructor, a competitive long-distance runner, and participated as a member of the De La Salle University Women's Track and Field Team.[10]

Modeling career

At the encouragement of her two close friends, Katarina auditioned for the second season of Asia's Next Top Model. She was selected as part of the show's final three contestants along with fellow Filipina candidate Jodilly Pendre, finishing as a runner-up.[11][12]

Pageantry

After her appearance in Asia's Next Top Model, Rodriguez caught the attention of well-known beauty queen trainer, Jonas Gaffud of Aces and Queens, who encouraged her to try out pageantry.[12]

Binibining Pilipinas 2017

Rodriguez entered the Binibining Pilipinas 2017 pageant and won the title of Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental 2017 during the coronation night held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on April 30, 2017, gaining her the right to represent the Philippines at Miss Intercontinental 2017.[13] A year after, she was succeeded by Karen Gallman.[14]

Miss Intercontinental 2017

Rodriguez represented the Philippines at the Miss Intercontinental 2017 pageant held in Hurghada, Egypt[15] on January 24, 2018 where she finished as 1st runner-up to Veronica Salas Vallejo from Mexico. She also won the Miss Media Popularity award and 1st runner-up in Best in National Costume.[16][17]

Miss World Philippines 2018

Representing Davao City, she was crowned as Miss World Philippines 2018 by the outgoing titleholder Laura Lehmann on October 7, 2018.[18]

Miss World 2018

She represented the Philippines at the Miss World 2018 in Sanya, China on December 8, 2018. She is one of favorite contestants in Miss World 2018 but failed to place in the semifinals, ending the Philippines' seven-year streak of consecutive placements, from 2011 through 2017. The event was won by Vanessa Ponce of Mexico.[19]

Filmography

Television

Year	Title	Role	Network
2020	Make It with You	Rio Isla	ABS-CBN

Personal life

She is an advocate of peace and HIV-AIDS awareness.[3] In 2019, she became the ambassador of Save the Children Philippines.[20]

References

1. News, ABS-CBN. "Pinay finalist Katarina proud of growth in 'AsNTM'".
2. Cortez, Jay (October 8, 2018). "Katarina Rodriguez is Miss World Philippines 2018!". GMA News. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
3. "Katarina Rodriguez to compete in Miss Intercontinental". The Manila Times. January 23, 2018. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
4. "Katarina Rodriguez second in Miss Intercontinental title". Retrieved 2018-03-06.
5. "8 fun facts: Bb Pilipinas Intercontinental 2017 Katarina Rodriguez". Rappler. Retrieved 2018-03-06.
6. "8 fun facts: miss World Philippines 2018 Katarina Rodriguez". Rappler. Retrieved 2018-10-08.
7. Jocom, Bea (July 25, 2014). "15 Minutes With Katarina Rodriguez". Preview.ph. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
8. Potestas, Clint Holton (2017-09-30). "Katarina Rodriguez: Leap of Faith". Cebu Daily News. Retrieved 2018-03-06.
9. "15 Minutes With Katarina Rodriguez | Preview.ph". Preview.ph. Retrieved 2018-03-06.
10. "Our Sponsors". www.bbpilipinas.com. Retrieved 2018-03-06.
11. News, ABS-CBN. "Pinay finalist Katarina proud of growth in 'AsNTM'". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 2018-03-06.
12. Corp., ABS-CBN. "Metro Style". metro.style. Retrieved 2018-03-06.
13. News, ABS-CBN. "Twitter on fire over #BBPilipinas2017". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 2019-07-02.
14. Villano, Alexa. "Katarina Rodriguez joins Miss World Philippines". Rappler. Retrieved 2019-07-02.
15. News, ABS-CBN. "Katarina Rodriguez is 1st runner-up in Miss Intercontinental 2017". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 2018-03-06.
16. "MissIntercontinental.com | The most beautiful women of all continents". www.missintercontinental.com (in German). Retrieved 2018-03-06.
17. Rappler.com. "Katarina Rodriguez is 1st runner-up in Miss Intercontinental 2017". Rappler. Retrieved 2019-07-02.
18. "Katarina Rodriguez crowned Miss World Philippines 2018". ABS-CBN News. October 8, 2018. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
19. Rappler.com. "Katarina Rodriguez on Miss World 2018 experience: I wouldn't change a thing". Rappler. Retrieved 2019-07-02.
20. "Katarina Sonja Rodriguez is Save the Children Philippines Ambassador". Save the Children Philippines. Retrieved June 11, 2019.

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Laura Lehmann	Miss World Philippines 2018	Succeeded by Michelle Dee
Preceded by Tracy Ann De Zilva	Miss Intercontinental (1st Runner Up) 2017	Succeeded by Adriana Moya
Preceded by Jennifer Hammond	Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental 2017	Succeeded by Karen Gallman