WATCH: How petite Pinay won Philippines’ first Miss Multinational

MANILA, Philippines — Is your dream to become a beauty queen, but your height does not meet a pegeant’s requirement even if you wear high heels?

Then you might be just like Sophia Senoron. At 5’4”, Sophia might be a few inches short the usual pageant standards, but this did not stop her from pursuing her dreams.

“I’m one of the shortest beauty queens. I only stand five-four,” declared Sophia, who was just crowned as Miss Multinational 2017 in India last February.

Even in national pageants, she did not meet the height requirement. “Medyo dinaya ko lang s’ya nung minemeasure nila ko,” she admitted.

But instead of being held back by her lack of height, for Sophia, being short even makes her standout.

“I’m the youngest, one of the shortest beauty queens. Some even say that I’m the chubbiest because I have a lot of baby fat,” said the 18-year-old, who also considers herself as not the best in ramp modeling and fashion, either.

What makes her become the country’s first Miss Multinational then?

“I really love to speak. Because I’m a varsity debater in my school, San Beda College, and I competed in many national, regional competitions… I don’t really enjoy the bikini portions, or long gown, or even casual. Even the production number… My favorite is really Q&A because that’s where you really can judge the character of the person,” she said in an interview with Philstar.com.

Sophia trained for five months and focused on honing her strengths — speaking skills and confidence.

Related video: Sophia explains what is Miss Multinational

During the pageant, she said she experienced a lot of pressure to do her best because of Filipinos’ overwhelming support.

Related video: Sophia on her Miss Multinational experience

In the end, Sophia triumphed and bested 34 other candidates in the international pageant that aims to celebrate diversity. Thanks to Filipinos’ votes, she also won the special awards Miss Environment, Best in Interview, and Best in Speech.

Related video: Sophia on her special awards

Since becoming a titleholder, Sophia said doors have opened for her. She is to debut as an actress in the movie “Walwal” under Regal Films.

But more than just being a gateway to stardom, Sophia wishes to use her influence to promote her advocacy, women and children’s rights.

As a start, she has become a part of Miss World Philippines’ (MWP) new advocacy in collaboration with Wetbrush Pro-Epic Professional, a brand of hairbrushes being used by Hollywood and A-list stylists like Dianelle Priano, stylist to Mariah Carey and Victoria’s Secret Angels. Proceeds from the brushes go to MWP’s beneficiaries, headed by National Director Arnold Vegafria.