Dia Maté Is in Her Pop Queen Era

A Queen Returns

It was one of those radiant afternoons in Poblacion, Makati, where sunlight spilled generously across the hand-tiled mosaic stairs of Almacen, bouncing off the vibrant colors and casting warm shadows across the vintage textures. Dia Maté arrived quietly and ahead of schedule—no dramatic entrance, just gentle footsteps and an iced drink in hand. Yet, the moment she entered the room, everyone felt it: the subtle shift in energy, the quiet magnetism of someone who's grown comfortable commanding attention.

Four years ago, Dia was our fresh-faced cover girl, wide-eyed and dipping her toes in the music industry. Today, she returns not just as the reigning Reina Hispanoamericana 2025, but still very much the musician we first met—only now, she’s louder, prouder, and more sure of her sound. Watching her greet everyone warmly—her glam team bustling comfortably around her, smiles exchanged as effortlessly as makeup brushes—I felt a subtle nostalgia. She wasn’t just older; she had evolved, poised comfortably between pop stardom and pageantry, weaving both worlds into one seamless, unapologetic identity.

As the camera began to click, Dia transformed. Draped in Vin Orias' striking crocheted pieces, she embodied a vibrant, confident Latina aesthetic (Yes! Sobrang Latina, as they say). Each pose channeled power, grace, and a hint of playful rebellion, capturing perfectly who Dia has become—a queen fully aware of her own power, ready to share it generously.

“You’ll still follow your dreams, but those dreams will be different—and the most fulfilling,” she shared with a knowing smile, reflecting on what she would say if she sat across her younger self. Her eyes softened at the thought. “I think she would be proud of who I’ve become, maybe a bit shocked because I’m also a beauty queen now and sing a different genre, but still proud.” She laughed lightly, adding, “She’d probably also say I’m crazy for all the things I’m trying to do with my career, but ultimately, she’d be happy for me.”

Dia’s journey wasn’t linear, nor was it predictable. From music to pageantry and back again, every turn she took reshaped her dreams and her sense of self. Yet, as she navigated these shifting tides, she retained something essential—a clear-eyed determination to evolve without losing her authentic self.

The Art and Armor of Reinvention

“Honestly, I think it’s ever-changing. I really think I’m a chameleon,” quipped the Ganda Gandahan singer when I asked how she’d describe her evolution—not just as an artist but as a woman navigating identity, ambition, and creativity. There was sincerity in her voice, matched by an openness that she effortlessly wears. “When you start at a young age, you think you’re on top of the world, knowing what you want and where you’re going. But as you grow up in the limelight, so many things shift, and you have to keep adapting.”

Dia has embraced this adaptation wholeheartedly. Music was always her first love, but her entry into pageantry significantly reshaped her artistic approach. “They’re actually very connected,” shared the reigning Reina Hispanoamericana, reflecting thoughtfully on her two seemingly distinct worlds. “Both give me a platform to express and perform. That’s why I loved them both so much and decided to marry them together.” Pageantry taught her how to embrace femininity more deeply, and music became her outlet for vulnerability, strength, and storytelling.

Winning Reina Hispanoamericana was not simply an accolade; it was a profound turning point. She vividly remembered her crowning moment, eyes wide in disbelief: “Nagulat talaga ako.” But beyond surprise, it was pride and fulfillment that lingered most deeply. “All the hardships were worth it. All the sleepless nights and stress were worth it.” Behind the polished pageant scenes was exhaustion, pressure, and meticulous preparation—a gritty reality she openly shared, dismantling the misconception that beauty queens merely glide through gowns and glitter. “It looks like it’s all glitz and glamour, but that’s only 10 percent of it.”

Her experiences in pageantry cultivated deeper bonds than competition. “There’s always this notion that pageantry pits women against each other,” reflected the ever-introspective artist, “but it actually makes us bond even more. Since we all go through the same challenges, it’s easier for us to connect.” For Dia, these bonds became crucial support systems, making the strenuous journey bearable and ultimately empowering.

Still, being misunderstood remains a familiar challenge. Despite the clarity of her artistic journey, some still assume her music was secondary to her reign. “Some people think I’m just a beauty queen who became a singer after,” added the pop star with quiet conviction. “But music came first, it blended perfectly with me being a beauty queen.” Dia Maté, the musician, is inseparable from Dia Maté, the queen. Both roles amplify rather than diminish each other. “I’m a queen who can sing, write her own songs, and really make a difference through music.”

Purpose, Power, and Pop

Dia’s evolution is vividly reflected in her music. Once mellow, reflective, and introspective, her sound now pulses vibrantly, full of purpose, passion, and empowerment. Her recent shift into pop wasn't merely stylistic; it was intentional and purposeful. “Because of pageantry, I felt a stronger sense of responsibility to be vulnerable in my music,” noted the Filipina hitmaker. “I wanted to create music that would uplift not just me, but the people around me. It’s not just the lyrics anymore—it’s the music itself that makes a difference.”

Among her most empowering releases is "Ganda Gandahan," a track that instantly became an anthem for self-love and confidence. Its upbeat, danceable vibe resonated deeply within the LGBTQIA+ community and beyond, turning every play into a moment of unapologetic celebration. It’s that kind of infectious pop that makes you want to strut, pose, and own your space—exactly the kind of energy Dia’s era stands for.

More recently, she dropped Ina, a deeply emotional collaboration with none other than Asia’s Songbird herself, Regine Velasquez. With its poignant lyric—"Ang mga batang tinatakwil, I will give you space to heal"—Dia further solidified her intent to use music as a space for advocacy, healing, and truth-telling.

Her musical moodboard today radiates brighter colors, bold prints, and vibrant energies—blues, pinks, purples, oranges, and anything expressive. “Anything that screams pop girl,” grinned the 23-year-old pop queen, clearly enjoying this new artistic chapter.

Yet amid the energetic visuals and powerful rhythms, Dia grounds herself firmly in authenticity. Navigating fame as both a beauty queen and pop star demands resilience against constant judgment and expectations of perfection. “Authenticity is everything,” said Dia, unwavering. “How can people believe in you if you don’t believe in yourself?” Her self-assuredness didn’t arise from perfection but from a genuine commitment to herself, her craft, and her advocacy.

Reflecting on where she stands now, Dia envisions this moment in her life as a film or a song, aptly titled “Fulfilling a Dream.” It captures the core of her current reality: purposeful, passionate, and still dreaming bigger. Her ambitions remain expansive yet deeply grounded in a desire to help more people, release more empowering music, and continue growing, ever-evolving.

As our afternoon drew to a close, I watched her pose effortlessly, embodying both strength and vulnerability beneath Makati’s soft golden glow. It felt more profound than merely capturing images—it was documenting a young woman fully embracing who she was always meant to be.

Dia Maté’s story is still being written. Her reign is far from over; in fact, it feels like it has only just begun.

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Credits: Words, Interview, and Art Direction by Joe Andy

Photography by Rxandy Capinpin

Fashion film by Ian Francisco

Video Associate Anghel Millar

Gaffer Edward Logarta

Styling by Yeoh Egwaras and Venice Collera

Makeup by Yaj Labeo

Hair by Michole Mananquil

Featuring fashion ensembles from Vin Orias and Kelvin Umlas

Official Venue Partner and Location: Lujo Almacen / Cantina Almacen

Publisher Big Picture Asia

Special thanks to Radical Ph

For partnership or advertising inquiries:

Sales & Marketing – jsmooth@bigpictureasia.com