STAR Dream Girl: Katrina Grace Rigets

The statuesque Physical Therapy intern walks before a crowd with poise and confidence. With a comely combination of feminine charm and winning smile, she makes heads turn in an instant. These traits made the 21-year-old Katrina Grace Rigets bring home the Miss Philippines-Water title in this year’s search for "beauties with purpose." "I feel most beautiful when I am able to extend any kind of help to others. It nourishes the totality of my being," she begins. "Feeding our minds with knowledge and strengthening our spiritual needs should also be part of being beautiful inside and out."

The 5-ft.-5-in. Katrina seems to be an expert in winning crowns. She has many a title under her belt – from city pageants down to school contests. Katrina, however, is more than your beauty queen stereotype. Back in school, she was an active member of the Student Council and campus paper. She is also one of the best in her class.

"I’ve always loved Biology and dreamt of becoming a doctor someday. My course is a good foundation for medical school," says the eldest daughter of Robert and Lourdes (née Guzman) Rigets. "Despite my schedule, I have always considered my studies my priority and have successfully managed my time well."

Katrina considers time management as a necessity given her hectic schedule as a model. She is seen in gigantic Robinsons billboards and glamorous fashion shows as she is the current titleholder of Ms. Robinsons. "I was introduced to this business by my aunt, Patty Betita, when she asked me to join a magazine shoot," she relates. From then on, modeling projects started pouring in. In no time, Katrina was everywhere – print ads, ramp, TV commercials and fashion editorials.

When not in rehearsals or fashion shoots, she satisfies her knack for adventure through skim boarding, paintball and parasailing. Or she lulls herself on the couch by reading Paulo Coelho’s books and chilling out with friends over a cup of coffee. "Oh and I love the beach, especially Boracay. It has a special place in my heart," she gushes.

"I believe in the beauty of love and the pain and laughter that goes with it. It makes one a better person after each fall," Katrina says. She considers her mom her biggest influence and inspiration. "She has contributed much to society by raising us as responsible and disciplined individuals. Our family is our comfort zone."

To her, a STAR Dream Girl is "someone who conquers her fears and is challenged to bring out the best of what she is."– JERNI MAY CAMPOSANO