MANILA, Philippines — Newly-crowned Miss Universe 2022 R'Bonney Gabriel of the USA has proven to be a force to be reckoned with.
First to wear the "Force For Good" crown by Mouawad, the 28-year-old is born in Houston, Texas to Filipino-American Remigio Bonzon and American Dana Walker.
Named after her father, R'Bonney is considered relatively new in pageantry.
She first tried joining a beauty contest in 2020 at the Miss Kemah USA 2020, where she placed among the Top 5 finalists.
She joined her hometown's contest, Miss Texas USA in 2021 as Miss Harry County where she placed 1st runner-up.
This did not hinder her to join the following year, and finally win the Miss Texas USA 2022 crown.
"I'm a Filipina-Texan. My dad is from the Philippines, he came on a college scholarship with $20 in his pocket and my mom is from Belmont, they're a match made in heaven. Growing up with two different cultures has made me what I made, because the family dynamic is so different, on my mom and dad's side, and that has made me a very open-minded person," Gabriel said in an interview right after winning the Miss Texas title in July 2022.
R'Bonney tapped her Filipino roots by wearing a design by Patrick Isorena inspired by the bluebonnet, the state flower of Texas at the July pageant. She won the Best in National Costume.