Samantha Panlilio’s roots seem to have had a hand in the paths she has taken in life.

Her great aunt, the late Maria Myrna Panlilio Borromeo, was the first ever Bb. Pilipinas Universe who was crowned in 1964. So when Samantha won the Miss Grand Philippines 2021 title in her first foray into the beauty pageant world, it seemed like it was destined for her.

“The best way to really evolve is to accept who you are and to really take it into heart,” she said as part of her introduction to the pageant.

Back then, she was acutely aware of the need to serve others, even using her passion for cooking and healthy eating to help feed COVID-19 frontliners.

“It was such a fulfilling and humbling experience, helping these people and helping contribute to the people who are actually at the front lines helping us Filipinos,” Samantha said of her experience in answer to judge Rajo Laurel’s question on what was the most life changing lesson she had during the pandemic.

“I hope that what I did inspired other women too to also help out one another, because the only way we can survive, heal, and recover from this pandemic is if we help one another,” she added. 

The 28-year-old stunner has taken a different path in her post-pageant career. She currently sits as the Chief Operations Officer of Boulevard Holdings Inc., a company that specializes in the development and management of hotels, resorts, and tourism-related businesses.

While that may sound daunting to many, the heir of the Panililio clan is well-equipped to take over the reins of the family business. The company has properties located in Boracay and Siargao, and Puerto Galera, keeping her quite busy nowadays.

“It's still an old boys club, whether you like it or not. I’m the only woman in our board and everyone’s older but I never find it hard to gain their respect,” she said in an interview with Manila Bulletin about her entrepreneurship role.

Despite her busy schedule, she still finds time to pursue her other interests.

Along with fellow beauty queen Maureen Montagne, Samantha serves as the host for the motivational podcast on YouTube, Slay Now. The weekly show seeks to inspire women to improve and better themselves.

With self-care as one of the goals to help women live their best lives, Samantha signed on as an endorser of a beauty clinic. The former beauty queen was recently unveiled as the new face of SKINCELL Advanced Aesthetic Clinic’s latest RFX treatment.

“Samantha is the best fit for our clinic as she embodies the kind of patients our clinic attracts. They are mostly women industry leaders and innovators at the very top of their fields,” Dr. Issa V. Cellona, SKINCELL Founder and Lead Dermatologist, said of choosing Samantha to represent the treatment they launched in time to celebrate Women’s History Month.

In turn, Samantha explained why she signed up with the beauty clinic. “SKINCELL is by far the only clinic I have the utmost trust for when it comes to managing my skin. Dr. Issa Cellona is the only specialist who maintains my skin professionally and is always ready to take me on despite our busy schedules.”

Samantha seems to have managed to get the best of both worlds, achieving success and finding contentment in beauty and business. “They both give me a sense of impact,” she stated.