EXCLUSIVE: Inside Dia Maté’s First EP—Identity, Queer Experiences, and Life After the Crown
Though Dia Maté was a musician long before entering the pageant world, her crowning as Reina Hispanoamericana 2025 reshaped both her artistry and sense of self. “I was surrounded by different types of women with different backgrounds and views on life,” she recalled. “It inspired me to change my perspective and ask, ‘Who am I, really?’”
More than a collection of songs written during her reign, Woman Like Me is a document of self-discovery—exploring who she is, what she wants, and what she’s willing to fight for.
RELATED: Why Dia Maté is Our Gen Z Beauty Queen
Life After the Crown
Being a beauty queen has brought both freedom and introspection—centering on a question many women quietly ask: Am I enough?
“We praise our women, but at the same time, we’re criticized,” she observed. Refusing to be boxed in, Maté embraced both pageantry and music fully. “I wanted to create music that would empower myself first—because how can I empower others if I can’t do it for myself?”
“Being a beauty queen is a big responsibility,” she reflected. “People start to look up to you, especially in the Philippines, because you’re expected to be ‘perfect.’” That expectation often clashes with her identity as a musician—an industry that celebrates creativity, imperfection, and self-expression.
“Teetering that line… how do I stay a beauty queen and a musician while still balancing the crown?” she wondered. Ultimately, it came down to alignment—ensuring that her character, desires, and image all reflected who she truly is.
Now that she’s passed on the crown, Maté feels a sense of release from its responsibilities. “I’m free to be an artist with a beauty queen background. I’m really happy to have a space where I can express myself,” she shared.
While fulfilled by her pageant journey, Maté admits the experience was more demanding than she expected. “It’s something I’m really glad I got to do—it served its purpose in my life. But I’ve always been an artist first. So now, I want to focus on that.”
“I’m going to focus on music and explore my career, but I’ll never let go of the beauty queen side,” she added with a laugh. “Maybe I’ll pull a Winwyn in seven years and join Miss Universe. But for now, I just want to focus on myself.”
The Lives and Identities Behind Her EP
Woman Like Me brings together Maté’s many identities—Filipina, global titleholder, and pop artist—anchored in empowerment and purpose.
“With music, I try to champion different people and empower different communities. I’m no longer writing just for myself, but for others as well,” she explained. This time, she leans into contrast—moving away from the rigidity of pageant life toward something more creative, fluid, and free.
A constant thread in Maté’s music is queer empowerment. She traces this influence back to her upbringing—particularly her grandmother, whose close queer friends, including designer Jojie Loren, played a formative role in her life. “Even in pageantry, most creatives are queer,” she noted. “My core team has been with me from the very beginning of my music career.”
“Having a supportive queer community around me really shaped my perspective,” Maté shared. Beyond being allies, they were also instrumental in her personal growth—even helping her learn Tagalog. “Those experiences shaped how I see the community and the people in it.”
Tracks like “Ganda Gandahan” and “Ina” not only uplift these communities, but spotlight their culture—from the ballroom scene to the dolls.
“It was all coming from the heart. I love these people and they deserve to be highlighted, not just during Pride Month, but every month.”
– Dia Maté on the queer communityAdvertisement
Throughout her career, Maté has collaborated with icons across industries—from Regine Velasquez to Sassa Gurl, Ruffa Mae Quinto, the Golden Gays, and Singaporean artist LAYVI. Each encounter left its mark.
“My biggest takeaway from them wasn’t just artistry—it was learning how to be a better person,” she shared. “And hopefully, I can pass those lessons on to others.”
“I’ve received a lot of advice, but one that stuck with me was to stay the same,” she added, acknowledging how small the industry is. “At the end of the day, the team you work with is also the team you grow with.”
A Trilingual Expression of the Self
The EP’s title track, written in Filipino, English, and Spanish, serves as a tribute to her multifaceted identity.
As English is her mother tongue, Maté admits that writing in Filipino was more challenging—often seeking help from her boyfriend, Juan Karlos, and her manager. Still, Woman Like Me became the first song she proudly wrote Tagalog on her own. “Tagalog is such a beautiful language, and OPM is so special,” she said.
She also shared how Miss Bolivia Estefanía Ibarra helped refine the Spanish lyrics, ensuring their structure and grammar were correct. “Spanish is such a fiery and emotional language,” she added, reflecting on her connection to the culture during her Reina Hispanoamericana journey.
“With ‘Woman Like Me,’ it’s like three different versions of me—the clear thought, the emotional thought, and the extra oomph.”
– Dia Maté on ‘Woman Like Me’Advertisement
For the Women Like Her
At its core, Woman Like Me carries a simple but resonant message: beauty begins within. “We’ll always have our moments—we’re not perfect,” Maté reflected. “But I think it’s important to fill yourself with positive thoughts and to spread love to the people around you.”
As Woman Like Me marks the end of one chapter, it also signals the beginning of another—one that feels more honest, more experimental, and entirely her own. Looking ahead, Maté hints at a new era. “It’s going to be more me. More Dia. More fun—maybe even a little more experimental.”
Listen to Dia Maté’s Woman Like Me on Spotify.
Featured Image and Photos: RADICAL MUSIC
The post EXCLUSIVE: Inside Dia Maté’s First EP—Identity, Queer Experiences, and Life After the Crown first appeared on MEGA.
EXCLUSIVE: Inside Dia Maté’s First EP—Identity, Queer Experiences, and Life After the Crown
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