Maria Rafaela “Mafae” Yunon - Belasco is best known for her success in the beauty pageant industry, having won prestigious awards locally and internationally, such as Miss Philippines Australia 1998, Binibining Pilipinas World 2003 (and prominently landing top 5 in the Miss World competition of the same year held in Sanya, China), and Mrs. Philippines Globe 2008.
She has since gone on to channel her expertise into image consulting for Binibinig Pilipinas (Miss Philippines Pageant) since 2003, taking on the role of Personality Development Director for the Miss World Philippines in 2021 and Pageant Director of kumu Global Pageants on the #1 live streaming app of the Philippines, kumu. She continued on in her journey in expanding her services & entrepreneur expertise, starting up her own company - Mafae Management Consultancy (founded 2015), wherein she manages talents, spearheads public relations & marketing, content creation, events management, online show production, and social media management for companies and individuals all over the world.
Mafae has vast experience in commercial, ramp and print modelling, and even television and events hosting. She enjoys passing on her knowledge of each of her experiences through her talks, workshops, and shows in which she does on a weekly basis. She is firm in her mission of making the world a brighter space as a certified Life & Personality Development Coach, Sacred Space Holder and Well-Being Boost Facilitator wherein she helps others become their best selves through positive mindset guidance.
Mafae, alongside her husband Nic Belasco, former professional basketball player in the PBA (Philippine Basketball Association), also owns a sports academy - the Belasco Unlimited Skills Academy where she coaches Tennis. Mafae is passionate about empowering others with her family campaign #SaveLivesOnline, where she encourages others to be thier true and authentic selves online while populating the digital world with positive content.
Recently, she was awarded 100 Most Influential Filipino Women on LinkedIn 2021, took on the roles of Australia Region Director & kumu Creators Academy Head for kumu.
Mafae lives by her motto “The World Is Yours” and “Time + productivity = success”, and aims to bring the best out of everyone around her.
Lastly, the biggest reward in her life is being a mum, bringing up her own young leaders of today in her 6 children, Nico, Mike, Moses, Nicole, Noah & Melo. To add the cherry on top is her husband Nic, who supports and mentors Mafae in all that she does.