Maria Mika Maxine Perez Medina-Llana (Tagalog:[mɐkˈsinmɛˈdina]; born May 10, 1990) is a Filipina designer, actress, model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2016.[3][2] She represented the Philippines at Miss Universe 2016 and finished as a top 6 finalist.[4][5] She is best known for portraying Blaire Escudero, a scheming designer and Gigi’s (Herlene Budol) antagonist in Magandang Dilag.
Early life and education
Maria Mika Maxine Perez Medina was born in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines.[6] She obtained a bachelor's degree in interior design from the De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde and the Philippine School of Interior Design. She works as an interior designer.[7][8] She is a commercial print ad model and a senior member of Professional Models Association of the Philippines.[9]Dianne Medina is her cousin.[10][11]
Medina represented the Philippines at the Miss Universe 2016, reaching the top six.[4][12][9][13]
At the national costume competition, Medina wore a Rhett Eala creation that was inspired by the vinta, a traditional boat from Mindanao, matched with a head piece made to resemble a large piece of coral found in the country's reefs.[14][15] The whole ensemble is said to have cost more than P1 million to make as it was also adorned with south sea pearls.[16]
At the preliminary competition, Medina debuted her alta walk which involved rolling the shoulders in perfect sync with the gliding of hips.[17] She wore a green and white striped bikini at the preliminary swimsuit competition and sashayed in a flowing green gown with a fringe skirt by Rhett Eala at the preliminary evening gown competition.[18][19]
At the coronation, Medina advanced into the top 13.[20] She wore a green and white striped bikini at the top 13 swimsuit competition which let her advance to top 9.[21][22] She wore a silver-red evening gown crafted by Rhett Eala at the top nine evening gown competition and was able to advance into the top six.[23][24]
Acting career
In 2018, she made her television debut in Hanggang Saan as Atty. Georgette Sandiego.[25] She later played Isay in Los Bastardos which ran from October 2018 to September 2019. She was paired with Jake Cuenca in the series.[26]