It has been said that in this country, Filipinos have three topics or activities to pass the time. These are, in no particular order, the following: politics, basketball, and beauty pageants. Now that the new Miss Universe Philippines has been selected and crowned recently, we are wont to ponder: are beauty pageants still relevant?
When homegrown Dumagueteña Donessa Arbas-King was crowned Mrs. Universe United Arab Emirates (UAE) 2023 and appointed Global Ambassador, the spotlight could have marked a personal triumph. Instead, she describes it as “a moment of stewardship,” her title becoming a platform for purpose.
“The crown was not a symbol of applause or validation, but a responsibility, an opportunity to ask how a global platform could be used to serve communities beyond myself,” recalls Donessa today, especially that this kind of spectacle is not common in a country whose culture is a mix of traditional Arab and Islamic influences. It also has a diverse population with a significant majority of expatriates.
A graduate of Bachelor of Secondary Education, major in English, from Silliman University, Donessa taught high school students at the Ramon Teves Pastor Memorial-Dumaguete Science High School. In her desire to provide for her three growing children, she applied for a job as tutor-governess of one of the children of the Royal Family in the emirates.
The opportunity to join such a pageant paved the way for Donessa to expand her network and use it for a higher cause.
While pageantry is often viewed as spectacle, she saw it differently. Where others might pursue visibility, she chose to pursue impact. “Success, for me, is never measured in attention but in influence that carries weight across cultures, generations, and sectors,” explains Donessa. She adds that the title “did not define her identity, but revealed her commitment to use visibility as a vehicle for leadership, integrity, and service.”
That conviction soon moved beyond the stage. Arbas-King channeled the platform into building systems that reflect her belief that empowerment must be grounded in ethics and responsibility. “Influence without integrity is dangerous,” she often notes in her leadership talks. For her, empowerment is not performance, but a posture of mind, heart, and action expressed through social responsibility, cultural dignity, and consistent character.
Out of that posture emerged GWISE that stands for “Global Women of Impact, Stewardship, and Enterprise,” a movement that Donessa founded, which is designed to provide women with dignity, access, and agency. Rather than positioning empowerment as a trend, GWISE, expounds Donessa, is structured to offer education, enterprise development, and collaborative spaces, where women can grow through connection rather than comparison. Her vision is a framework built on contribution, not competition.
One of the movement’s core components, as designed by Donessa, is its monthly “Table Talks,” where discussions range from entrepreneurship and leadership to relationships, health, identity, and purpose. These sessions are not lectures but conversations, encouraging women to reflect, engage, and build networks grounded in mutual respect. The approach emphasizes structure and clarity, reinforcing the belief that sustainable confidence is built on competence.
Beyond dialogue, GWISE translates intention into tangible support. Through its Charity Gala initiative, the organization prioritizes women, particularly single mothers with viable business ideas, but with limited capital. A zero-interest seed fund provides structured financial access, coupled with mentorship and accountability. The goal is not charity, but opportunity supported by guidance, allowing women to build sustainable enterprises that uplift families and communities.
The movement’s reach extends internationally through its conferences and collaborations, creating spaces where women gain exposure, develop partnerships, and share expertise across borders. By integrating education, enterprise, and philanthropy under the broader umbrella of Growthinity, which Donessa likewise founded, she has positioned Dumaguete as both a beneficiary and a launchpad for global conversations on ethical leadership and women’s empowerment.
Today, the title she once carried serves as a reminder of responsibility rather than recognition.
For Donessa Arbas-King, true beauty lies not in appearance, but in the impact one leaves behind. Through GWISE and Growthinity, she continues to demonstrate that influence is not what is displayed on stage, but what is stewarded in service. As the organization invites women, mentors, and partners to participate in its next gatherings, the message remains clear: when women rise with purpose, generations rise with them. | NWI
