Miss Cebu 2025 Candidate #11 - Tatiana Shantal Benedetti, 18

CEBU, Philippines — It took Tatiana Shantal Benedetti some time to fully embrace her Fil-Italian identity as she grew up uncertain if she belonged in any community.

“What pushed me to embrace [my Filipino-Italian identity] is that I was fortunate to be part of a community that accepted me for who I am. They helped me realize that not fitting in isn’t a bad thing because I get to experience the best of both cultures,” she shared.

“I have learned to accept who I am, which is why I advocate for young people to love themselves and embrace their uniqueness. Each one of us is beautiful and special.”

Benedetti chose nursing as her career path, inspired by her desire to care for her grandparents. Her decision was solidified during her time as a medical volunteer, where she gained hands-on experience assisting in several emergencies.

“That opportunity made me realize that nursing is something I truly want to pursue. I am the kind of person who has the heart to care for others,” she explained.

But Benedetti isn’t stopping with nursing. She plans to further her journey by pursuing psychiatry to better support her future patients.

“I plan to study psychiatry because I want to advocate for mental health here in Cebu City,” she said.

With Cebu City’s previous Singapore-like branding, Benedetti expressed her support for the city to retain its title as the Queen City of the South.

She remarked, “It’s a perfect name for such a beautiful city where there is warmth and friendliness in the local community. That title perfectly embodies Cebu City.”