At just 18 years old, Celeste Cibils Cabrera has been crowned Miss Paraguay 2026. Coming from Tomás Romero Pereira, a district in the Itapúa department, 119 kilometres from Encarnación, her victory is more than a personal achievement; it represents the hopes of young women across the nation. Speaking exclusively to The Asunción Times, Celeste shared her journey, the challenges she faced, and her vision for the role she now holds.
“When I learned I was Miss Paraguay, I felt a mixture of excitement, gratitude, and responsibility,” Celeste begins. “All the effort, sacrifices, and personal work suddenly made sense, but I also understood the enormous commitment involved in representing my country.”
The challenges behind the crown
Contrary to popular belief, the path to becoming Miss Paraguay is far from just glamour and appearances. Celeste highlights the mental and emotional demands of the competition. “The greatest challenge was maintaining emotional and mental balance, learning to trust myself even under pressure, and coping with constant comparison.”
Preparation for the pageant goes beyond walking the runway or attending photo shoots. For Celeste, the most transformative part was personal development. “Strengthening inner confidence, discipline, and self-love was key. That foundation is reflected later on the runway and in everything else.”
From symbolic figure to social agent
Celeste is clear that her role is not merely ceremonial. She hopes to make a tangible impact on the community, especially by inspiring young women. “I want to encourage women to believe in themselves, prepare diligently, and understand that their voice and dreams matter.”
When asked how a beauty queen can become a real agent of change, she emphasises using visibility with purpose. “It is about engaging in real causes, listening to people, working with commitment, and being consistent between what you say and what you do.”
Her social engagement began not through formal projects but through meaningful experiences. She recalls participating in the distribution of baskets at a hospital during the holidays. “It was deeply human. Being with people facing difficult situations stirred my emotions, made me value the essentials, and showed me that even a simple gesture can have a real impact.”
Behind every successful contestant are invisible skills that sustain her role. Celeste identifies emotional intelligence, empathy, communication skills, discipline, and resilience as essential. “These abilities are not always visible, but they underpin everything the role requires.”
Balancing life in the public eye
Life as Miss Paraguay demands constant discipline. Celeste emphasises that the role is continuous, extending beyond any single event. “It requires daily consistency. You cannot switch it off; it demands organisation, discipline, and vocation.” She manages media attention and public exposure by maintaining balance and surrounding herself with supportive people. “I always remind myself who I am and why I do what I do.”
Outside official commitments, Celeste enjoys spending time with her family, focusing on physical and emotional well-being, training, and finding quiet moments to reconnect with herself.
Celeste: A role model in the making
Looking ahead, Celeste has ambitious plans for both personal growth and social contribution. “In the next five years, I want to continue developing professionally and personally, consolidate projects with social impact, and represent Paraguay with pride, both at home and abroad.”
As Paraguay enters new cultural frontiers, Celeste hopes the world recognises the nation’s warmth, resilience, and rich blend of tradition, history, and modernity. She also sees empowering women and young people through education as a crucial step toward a fairer, more conscious society.
“I am still exploring and learning,” she admits. “Social projects come from experience, listening, and genuine commitment. That is the path I am building.”
Celeste Cibils represents a new generation of beauty queens, those who combine poise with purpose, visibility with social awareness, and ambition with empathy. Her story is a reminder that titles are more than that; she now has platforms to inspire, empower, and create meaningful change. With her mix of determination, humility, and vision, Miss Paraguay 2026 wants to leave a lasting impact on society.
For more information on Miss Paraguay 2026’s works, follow Celeste Cibils on Instagram.
