From Nursing to Modeling, Model Maria Isabela Galeria Refuses to Stick to One Path

Vogue Philippines’ cover model Maria Isabela Galeria has lived many lives, from healthcare to pageantry.

Home for Maria Isabela Galeria has always been Sorsogon. It’s where she spent her first 15 years, growing up by the beach. After years of living independently in Manila, she now moves between the city and the province. “It’s nice being home after six years of being out here, independent, living alone by myself,” she shares. “And coming home to Sorsogon, to my family and my friends that I grew up with, it feels nice, a lot.”

Just as she is split between Manila and Sorsogon, her path is one that has never been as straightforward as others. Initially set on becoming a doctor, inspired by her mother, Galeria pursued nursing and earned her license. “The first half of my life, I thought I was going to be a doctor,” she says. “So I took up nursing, and I realized that it’s not really for everyone. I didn’t want to be stuck in a four-cornered wall doing the same routine every day. I admire my mom and all the doctors and nurses out there, but it’s just not for me.”

After earning her license came the realization of what she wanted to pursue next: fashion. “Growing up in the province, I would ask my mom to buy me stacks of magazines, “she recalls. “And every time we’d go to Manila, every time we’d pass by EDSA, I always had this fascination with billboards, with people in magazines. I knew in my heart there was this magnet in the fashion industry.”

Since then, she has built her career in modeling, working on commercial, editorial, and runway jobs. Looking back at the beginning, she recalls the early criticisms she received. “I remember this was one of the first castings that I went to. I was 18, such a baby, and I didn’t know it was going to be like this,” she says. “You walk in feeling confident about yourself. You condition yourself to be in that mode. And then when I got there… they were like, ‘You’re too fat.’”

And yet, she stayed. “What kept me going was really thinking of my dream,” she explains. “If I let their comments get into my head, I’m going to be the loser. I was left with this drive to prove to them and to prove to myself that I’m worthy to be here.”

By pushing past criticism, she moved from modeling to becoming a pageant queen, going as far as becoming part of Binibining Pilipinas 2019’s Top 15, and representing Sorsogon in Miss Universe Philippines 2020. But for the latter competition, she had to withdraw to focus on her health following a COVID-19 diagnosis. “And then I joined another pageant a year ago, and it was during typhoon season, so it also got cancelled,” she shares.

“I feel like God’s telling me to just sit back. I mean, what else can happen? I had COVID, and then this time around there’s a typhoon,” she continues, “So it’s really not for me, I guess, for now. I’m never going to close any door for that, but as of the moment, it’s just not for me.”

Despite all the challenges, Galeria describes her current life as “at peace.” “In all the careers I had, from nursing to modeling to being a beauty queen, I was really trying my best. So every time a chapter closes, I’m happy and at peace that it’s done.”

And this new chapter brings her back to Sorsogon. Currently, she is building businesses with her brother and partner and initiatives within her community. “My brother built a resort, and my boyfriend and I are starting our construction business,” she shares. “I’m also currently working with the local government unit of my municipality for tourism.”

Throughout her whole journey, there’s one lesson that she carries with her: to trust in herself. “It sounds so cliché, but if you trust yourself and you’re confident with yourself, it shows,” she says. “No matter how many noises are around you, if your core is intact, it’s going to show.”

There seems to be no single narrative that defines who she is, only chapters, each lived fully, each released with grace. And in between them, something rarer: the ability to say, without hesitation, that she has done her best, and she looks forward to meeting her future self.

Photographs by ARTU NEPOMUCENO and ARCHIE GEOTINA. Fashion Director PAM QUIÑONES. Beauty Editor JOYCE OREÑA. Model: Maria Isabela Galeria. Art Director: Jann Pascua. Producer: Mavi Sulangi. Styling: Jia Torrato of Qurator Studio. Makeup: Albert Lopez. Hair: Gillary Sophia Cuevas Santiago. Videographer: Lynyrd Matias. Photography Assistants: Choi Narciso and Sela Gonzales. Styling Assistant: Jia Torrato of Qurator Studio. Makeup Assistant: Chun Garcia. ARK Team: Ayesha Vera-Yu, Kat Limchoc, Margarita Agoncillo, MK Amador, May Ann Bentolan.

Special thanks to Mayor Weng Rafallo-Romano, Renato Fuentes, Lany Astillero & Marissa Gaufo, Jannalyn Esureña, and Hazel Joy Fuentes of Bulusan, Mayor Mark Lozano, Leonor Forte Jr., Lara Fresado & Manny Fuentes, Shie Anne Gabanzo, Hon. Dovie Correa of Sta. Magdalena, and Milo Naval.