EXCLUSIVE: Dr. Gabbi Carballo Is Training for a Back-to-Back Miss Eco International Victory

The undefeated Cebuana doctor-queen is fine-tuning every detail as she eyes a historic back-to-back win for the Philippines.

By Moira Del Rosario June 20, 2025

EXCLUSIVE: Dr. Gabbi Carballo Is Training for a Back-to-Back Miss Eco International Victory

From Scrubs to Sashes

“I put this dream on hold for a long time,” Carballo confessed, having only graduated from medical school last year. With “Miss Eco International Philippines” proudly draped on her shoulder, she finally stepped into a chapter she had long envisioned.

White dress shirts by Van Laack — ^{White dress shirt by Van Laack}

And as it turns out, medicine and pageantry have more in common than you’d think—especially when it comes to perseverance. “I came from working 30-hour shifts in the hospital, so joining a pageant where you have shoots every day felt like a walk in the park,” Carballo shared with a laugh. Pageantry came with its own hurdles, but after enduring 30-hour hospital shifts, it felt manageable—maybe even easier.

Now, with the international crown in sight, Carballo’s days are filled with trainings, advocacy work, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.

The Purpose Behind the Crown

With Alexie Brooks securing the Miss Eco International 2025 title, all eyes are now on Carballo. The expectations are heavy, but so is her resolve. “I’ve never lost a pageant yet. I think that I can be trusted with the responsibility of getting a back-to-back win,” the beauty queen pondered, vowing to work and train tirelessly for the Philippines.

Her edge? The same pasarela trainer behind this year’s titleholder. “It’s different competing in the Philippines versus internationally. I have to be adaptable and step up my game,” Carballo noted, training even harder to hone her not only her pasarela but also her Q&A.

With high expectations for the Miss Philippines, her heart and her history of community service make her a formidable contender. “It’s really the heart that I put behind everything that I do,” the beauty queen said. With six years of hands-on advocacy work—particularly in environmental protection—Carballo is a queen who leads with purpose. “I get to reawaken the project, bring it to life with a new organization, and bring it to a higher level,” she added.

“Sometimes in this industry, we tend to forget about the things that we can do with our platforms—and that’s what I’m bringing to the competition.”
– Dr. Gabbi Carballo on her edge for Miss Eco International 2026

“You can never go wrong when you lead with your heart because people can tell when you mean the things you say,” she reflected, intending to carry her heart and purpose to the Miss Eco International stage in Egypt. — ^{“You can never go wrong when you lead with your heart because people can tell when you mean the things you say,” she reflected, intending to carry her heart and purpose to the Miss Eco International stage in Egypt}

Quiet Power, Louder Impact

Nicknamed “Silent Killer” by pageant fans, Carballo’s win came as a surprise to many, but not to those who had followed her journey. “My attack during Miss Universe Philippines was to stop trying to please everyone and instead hone my skills,” Carballo revealed. By shifting her focus inward, she won Filipinos over with sincerity and substance. It’s a strategy she plans to replicate at Miss Eco International, confident that her heart-led approach will resonate beyond borders.

Leather set by Viktor Manila, available at Greenbelt — ^{FULL LOOK by Viktor Manila, available at Greenbelt 5}

In an industry where authenticity gets thrown around too often, Gabbi makes a convincing case for keeping it real. “Being your most authentic and organic self is what makes you different because it’s something that nobody else can portray,” the beauty queen shared, pertaining to a piece of advice she brings with her—as a woman and as a role model. “I want girls to focus more on the impact that they make rather than the way that they look and the way that they act.”

“Once the posture of your heart is in the right place, then everything will just flow from that same place.”
– Dr. Gabbi Carballo

^{White dress shirt by Van Laack, shoes by Christian Loubtoutin, available at Adora}

With a heart strengthened by long, grueling hospital shifts and polished by the demands of pageant life, Carballo is ready to wear her heart on her sleeve as she steps onto the international stage. Carballo’s journey is one of perseverance and passion, but it’s her meticulous preparation—from advocacy work to stage strategy—that might just secure the Philippines a historic back-to-back victory.

Photographer JERICK SANCHEZ. Art Direction by ANDREW ENCAPAS and BRIE VENTURA. Styling by ROKO ARCEO assisted by ERICA TEROL. Makeup by TEAM JIM RYAN ROSS. Hairstyling by CULTURE SALON. Sittings Editor MIA CASTRO

Special thanks to MISS UNIVERSE PHILIPPINES and EMPIRE/MERCATOR TALENT AGENCY

Moira Del Rosario

Digital Content Writer

Once immersed in fictional writing at UP Diliman, Moira del Rosario eventually traded imagined worlds for the fast-paced landscape of digital media as a Digital Content Writer for MEGA Asia, covering women’s stories across the region alongside the latest in beauty.

They spotlight women shaping culture today through profiles, exclusive features, and roundups on Asian representation at global fashion events. They also write about beauty through a growing lens—covering makeup, skincare, wellness, nails, and fragrance with curiosity and a strong eye for emerging trends.

Having worked in digital media for years, Moira is drawn to stories that beg to be unraveled—from the ever-changing landscape of pop culture and the inner workings of beauty to queer voices that deserve to be seen, celebrated, and championed.

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