How a waitress in Dubai Rechel Hoco became a TikTok viral star and Miss Universe Philippines 2025 contender

Dubai: When Filipina Rechel Hoco first landed in Dubai in December 2022, she wasn’t chasing likes, crowns, or fame. She was simply looking for a way to support her family after the loss of her father during COVID.

“I didn’t know what I was doing with my life. I was just trying to survive,” says the 24-year-old Rechel, who began working as a hostess at a restaurant in Jumeirah.

“It was hard. I wasn’t used to working long hours under the sun. But I knew I had to do something," she said as she visited the Gulf News HQ.

What she didn’t realise then was that her story—rooted in grit, grief, and quiet ambition—would eventually catapult her to viral fame and into the Miss Universe Philippines 2025 pageant.

“Pageantry is my first love,” says Rechel, who has competed in over 170 beauty pageants since the age of 13.

“But it was here in Dubai, while juggling work and homesickness, that I rediscovered that dream.”

Her first viral moment came unexpectedly.

“I told my brother, let’s just try one video for fun,” she laughs, recalling how a clip of her playing with the trending Lato-Lato toy took off.

“Suddenly, it had millions of views. I was shocked.” What began as a distraction from her daily grind soon became a life-altering pivot. “I told myself, if people love this, maybe I can do more.”

And she did. Today, Rechel has over 1.2 million followers on TikTok alone. But don’t mistake her success for overnight stardom.

Behind the likes and glossy content is a woman who did her own makeup and hair during Miss Universe Philippines 2025, who flew down to her native country without a stylist or entourage, and who relied on instinct, self-belief, and the occasional help of her brother to figure out which lipstick matched a brand’s theme. She was representing Oriental Mindoro, a province 140 kilometres southwest of Manila.

“I had no team, no glam squad. I would ask my brother, ‘Kuya, what’s the colour of the event?’ and I would adjust my makeup and hair myself,” she says. “It was exhausting but memorable. It taught me so much.”

What also stood out during our chat was her deep connection to Dubai—the city that gave her the platform to rebuild her life.

“Dubai taught me to be grateful,” she says. “I thought all Filipinos here just worked endlessly to send money home. I never expected the kind of support I received from the community.”

She was stunned when Filipinos around the UAE started stopping her in malls and restaurants, cheering her on. “The week I published the article about her Miss Universe journey, three Filipino mums from my kids’ school told me how proud they were,” I told her. “You’ve really touched a nerve.”

“I didn’t win the crown,” she admits. “But seeing people cry because I didn’t make the top 12… that showed me I had already won their hearts.”

But pageantry is not just a platform for beauty—it’s where Rechel found her voice. “Pageants gave me confidence. I started doing them to earn money and pay for school. But eventually, they shaped who I am. I learned how to speak, how to stand up for myself and others.”

Her honesty about the toxic perfectionism of the beauty world is refreshing. “They expect you to be flawless—perfect body, perfect answers. But I always reminded myself why I was there. I wanted to inspire people, not just win a crown.”

She acknowledges the growing diversity in pageantry, too. “In my Miss Universe batch, there was a mother, Winwyn Marquez, competing. Things are changing, and I love that.”

For Rechel, being self-made isn’t a tagline—it’s a lived experience. “I call myself that because I built this. Not a manager. Not a team. Me.” And though she’s grateful for the opportunities that have come with viral fame, she’s also candid about its downsides. “People think they know everything about me. There’s barely any privacy. That’s why I sometimes take a break. Social media detox is real.”

Still, she remains grounded. Her goal has never been just fame—it’s purpose. “If I can help my family and inspire even one person to follow their dreams, that’s success for me.”

Her next dream? Acting. “That was my first goal—not beauty pageants or TikTok. I wanted to be an artist, to be on TV,” she reveals. “If there’s an opportunity, I’ll take it. Drama, horror, anything that lets me express myself.”

With over 170 pageants under her belt, she already has the performance chops. “Pageants taught me how to be on stage, how to connect with people. It’s the best training ground.”

Her charisma is undeniable. She patiently takes selfies with fans, makes everyone around her feel seen, and wears her success lightly. “I think attitude is everything. You can be hardworking, but if you’re angry or negative, what’s the point?”

I ask if she sees herself as a happy-go-lucky person. “Yes,” she laughs. “I live in the moment. But I also work hard. It’s a balance.”

When I mention that she resembles Filipino actress Heart Evangelista, she waves it off modestly. “Heart is here,” she says, gesturing above her head. “And I’m here. But thank you!”

So what’s next for Rechel? “I’m taking it day by day. But yes, if a movie offer comes, I’m ready.”

And we believe her. Because Rechel isn’t just another viral star—she’s a hustler with heart, a self-made queen who turned the sands of Jumeirah into a global stage. Her story reminds us that dreams don’t need a spotlight—they just need courage.