Mother of three finds new purpose through Miss Universe Malaysia journey

KUCHING: Becoming a mother of three did not mean putting her dreams aside. Instead, representing Sarawak at Miss Universe Malaysia became a journey of self-discovery for first runner-up Sapphire Wong, who hopes to inspire women to look beyond the roles and identities that define them.

Despite missing out on the coveted crown, her achievement and experience in the competition have left her with a renewed sense of purpose, pride and gratitude for the support she received from her family and fellow Sarawakians.

Reflecting on her journey, she described representing Sarawak on the national stage and emerging as first runner-up as an honour and a milestone she would always treasure.

“To be in this journey and to represent Sarawak on the Miss Universe Malaysia stage and to get the first runner-up has been an honour. I’m so proud and I’m so happy with the journey that I have been in,” she said.

Happy to be home, Sapphire Wong.

She added that returning to Sarawak and being welcomed by her family and supporters was a deeply moving experience, describing it as a core memory that she would carry with her.

The competition also opened her eyes to the strength of women, the importance of unity and the power of mutual encouragement.

Competing against 13 other contestants, she said she was inspired by the diverse backgrounds and accomplishments of the women, including teachers, nurses and a war veteran.

Rather than viewing one another as rivals, the contestants built friendships and supported each other throughout the competition, creating an environment that she described as empowering and meaningful.

Among those who made her experience particularly memorable was her roommate, Amrit, a fellow young mother and public-speaking teacher who went on to become second runner-up.

She said Amrit generously shared pointers on answering questions during the question-and-answer segment, while both women encouraged one another throughout their respective journeys.

“We were really helping each other. Rather than tearing each other down, we were helping each other, which is amazing,” she said.

As a mother of three children, Amethyst, aged nine, Onyx, aged seven, and Chrysolite, aged two, she said one of her main motivations for joining the pageant was to rediscover herself and challenge the limitations women sometimes place on their own identities.

Having become a mother at a young age, she wanted to demonstrate that motherhood need not prevent women from pursuing their ambitions, discovering their potential and contributing to society.

“I still feel that I have potential. I have a purpose, and my purpose is to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth,” she said.

Wong with her parents.

She hopes to use her platform to spread kindness and empathy while encouraging women to recognise that they can be more than their roles as mothers, students or professionals.

Her message also extends beyond women, calling on people of all ages and backgrounds to support one another and work towards a better future.

The pageant was particularly meaningful because Miss Universe is among the international beauty pageant platforms that permit married women and mothers to compete, allowing women with different life experiences to pursue the opportunity.

She was also touched by the support she received from Sarawak and pageant enthusiasts across Malaysia, saying she had been surprised by the scale of encouragement, particularly from supporters beyond her home state.

While acknowledging the public support, she expressed happiness for the winner, Eunice Wong, and confidence that she would represent Malaysia well at the international Miss Universe pageant.

She also expressed gratitude to the national organisation and its leadership for the opportunity to be part of the competition.

Beyond the pageant, she has several plans in the pipeline, including possible photo shoots and engagements in Vietnam and Thailand, although she said she would leave the eventual direction of her journey in God’s hands.

Her achievements at Miss Universe Malaysia included the first runner-up title, Legacy Reimagine Icon, Miss Face of Holiday Inn Kuala Lumpur, Best Interview, Best in Gown, Best in Preliminary and Fans Choice Award.

Wong poses for a photo with family members.

For her, the experience was about more than titles and recognition. It was an opportunity to rediscover her confidence, form meaningful friendships and demonstrate that motherhood and personal ambition can exist side by side.

Her journey carries a hopeful message: women do not have to choose between caring for their families and pursuing their dreams. With courage, encouragement and a willingness to step beyond their comfort zones, they can continue to grow, inspire others and discover new possibilities at every stage of life.

Miss Universe Malaysia 2026 was held on October 2, 2026, at HGH Convention Centre Sentul, Kuala Lumpur, with the preliminary competition taking place at Holiday Inn Kuala Lumpur, Bangsar.

The 13 finalists who competed for the Miss Universe Malaysia 2026 crown were Eunice Wong, Sapphire Wong, Amreet Kaur, K Pratiba, Emanuelle Mah, Shawn (Sarah Shawndrya), Wenn Sin, Shalini Devi, Preevena, Khai Chin, Diana Charles, Desaeny and Clarysse. Wong, a 37-year-old businesswoman, was eventually crowned Miss Universe Malaysia 2026 and will represent the country at the international pageant in Puerto Rico.