Fil-Danish beauty queen Mary Josephine Paaske, recently crowned Miss Universe Philippines Cebu Heritage 2024, is embarking on an exciting journey in interior design. After facing challenges in aviation electronics and architecture, she found her true passion while studying at the University of San Carlos. Josephine shares her excitement, describing how much she is learning and the new friendships she is forming.
Cultural Inspirations
Growing up in Denmark sparked her interest in interior design. She draws inspiration from the captivating structures, colors, and textures in her surroundings. Now, at 22 years old, Josephine envisions a future where she merges Scandinavian and Filipino styles in her work. Her goal is to infuse Filipino culture into the design landscape in Denmark, creating a unique blend of aesthetics.
Combining Styles in Her Work
Through recent class assignments, she has skillfully combined Scandinavian simplicity with warm Filipino elements. For example, in her small apartment, she painted a puso (hanging rice) frame, incorporating cultural touches into her design aesthetic. This approach allows her to showcase both cultures effectively.
Reflections on Family and Community
Josephine also reflects on the differences between her experiences in Denmark and the Philippines. In Denmark, families often live apart, while in the Philippines, it is common for families to live together. This close-knit community atmosphere makes Cebu feel like home for her. She appreciates the warmth of the people and the vibrant local culture.
Inspired by Role Models
During her time as Talisay City’s representative at the Miss Universe Philippines competition earlier this year, she admired Miss Universe 2022 R’Bonney Gabriel. Watching R’Bonney change into different gowns backstage inspired Josephine, especially as R’Bonney is also a designer.
Prioritizing Education for the Future
As the Fil-Danish Miss Universe prepares to find her successor for next year’s Miss Universe Philippines, she is taking a break from pageantry to focus on her studies. She plans to prioritize her education for now, expressing her hopes to participate in another pageant soon. Life after the Miss Universe competition has been different, and she contemplates the opportunities that lie ahead in her interior design journey.
Source: Phil Star
[…] Mary Josephine Paaske, Miss Universe Philippines Cebu Heritage 2024, is making strides in interior design by blending Scandinavian and Filipino styles. Her work aims to introduce Filipino cultural elements into Danish design landscapes, fostering cross-cultural appreciation and innovation. Scandasia […]