Queen Mariam Leonor Torres Mastura a.k.a. The Traveling Queen
Queen Mariam Leonor Torres Mastura a.k.a. The Traveling Queen | |
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Born | Philippines | May 21, 1970
Nationality | Filipino-American |
Citizenship | United States, Philippines |
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Height | 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) |
Relatives | His Majesty Sultan Zulkarnain Mastura VI, the Supreme Sultan of Maguindanao (brother) |
Website | queenmaria |
Queen Mariam Leonor Torres Mastura, famously known as The Traveling Queen, is a distinguished Filipino-American travel icon celebrated for her pioneering journeys around the globe. She is recognized not only for her adventurous spirit but also for her roles as a visionary philanthropist, a passionate human rights and peace activist, a talented artisan, a successful entrepreneur, and a thoughtful social media influencer. Her humanitarian efforts have touched countless lives worldwide.[1][2][3][4]
Through her engaging storytelling and cultural insights, Queen Mariam captivates a global audience, offering deep understanding of diverse landscapes and human experiences across different nations. Her strong business acumen, coupled with her dedication to altruism, has led her to create a platform that seamlessly blends philanthropy with tourism. Her initiatives promote collaboration with world leaders, notable figures, multinational corporations, prestigious brands, and tourism boards, all aimed at improving lives, fostering economic growth, and encouraging cultural appreciation.[5]
Queen Mariam's extensive network and her exceptional ability to establish diplomatic ties with various stakeholders, including governments, indigenous communities, and grassroots organizations, amplify the reach and impact of her vision. Her work continues to inspire and drive positive change on a global scale.[6][7]
Early life and education
Queen Mariam Leonor Torres Mastura, born and raised in the Philippines, exhibited exceptional academic abilities from a young age, consistently achieving honors and scholarships throughout her education. Among her notable accomplishments, she was recognized as "Girl Scout of the Year" for three consecutive years, becoming the first Cadet Scout from Rizal to attain this distinction in college. During her high school years, she also received the prestigious "Gerry Roxas Leadership Award."
Beyond her academic success, Torres Mastura was actively involved in beauty pageants, securing titles such as Ms. Rizal, Ms. Southern Tagalog, Ms. Luzon, Ms. Asia Galaxy, and Queen of the Philippines in the USA. Her early career was marked by her roles as an artist and entrepreneur, founding MLCT Furniture Company at 19, followed by Teebo Creations Atbp., a manufacturing company that supplied handicrafts to Duty Free Philippines and National Bookstores.
She furthered her education at the Philippine School of Business Administration in Quezon City, where she honed her business skills. After relocating to the United States, she attended Fashion Careers International in Los Angeles, completing a course in Fashion Designing and Merchandising in 2006. Her educational pursuits and professional experiences provided a strong foundation for her later endeavors in business, philanthropy, and international advocacy.[8]
Career
AS AN ENTREPRENEUR
- Founder and Owner of MLCT Furniture Company (furniture manufacturing), Philippines (1989–1992)
- Founder of Teebo Creations (handicraft manufacturing), Philippines (1992–1997)
- Sole Proprietor of MLT Enterprises (trading company), USA (2007–2013)
- CEO of Queen Empire (family corporation specializing in manpower, consulting, and trading), Philippines (2024–present)
AS AN EXECUTIVE
- Founder and President of We Care for Humanity (WCH), a nonprofit organization dedicated to global humanitarian efforts, USA (2011–present)
- Chairman of The Greatest Humanitarians of the World (formerly Global Order of Dignitaries and Philanthropists), an initiative honoring world leaders, royals, and philanthropists
- Chairman of WCH Royal Summit, a global platform promoting cultural diplomacy, philanthropic initiatives, and economic development
- Convener of Global Santa Program, a humanitarian initiative providing food and relief aid to underserved communities in more than 20 countries
AS AN ARTIST
- Held art exhibitions in Las Vegas, Mexico, Brazil, New York, Dubai, and the Philippines
- Specializes in painting portraits of world leaders, including Pope Francis, Vicente Fox (former President of Mexico), Ivo Josipović (former President of Croatia), Fatmir Sejdiu (former President of Kosovo), and other notable figures.[9]
AS AN AUTHOR
- Author of The Greatest Humanitarians of the World, an annual book series available on Amazon, Kindle, Barnes & Noble, and other bookstores
- Co-author of We Care for Humanity Poetry and We Care for Humanity Anthology with Maureen Brindle[10]
Awards and Recognitions
Queen Maria Torres Mastura has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to humanitarian work, peace advocacy, and leadership.
Academic and Honorary Titles
- “Honoris Causa” Doctor of International Law, Universita Popolare Cattolica, Italy (2023)
- “Honoris Causa” Doctor of Business Administration, International American University, USA (2018)
- “Honoris Causa” Doctor of Divinity, Order of Hagiasmos, Indonesia (2013)
Humanitarian and Peace Awards
- Citizen of the World for Peace Award, Academia Internacional de Cultura, Brazil (2023)
- Champion of Peace, UN Peacekeeping, France (2021)
- Princess of Humanity and Peace, All India Human Rights & Social Justice, India (2018)[11]
- Princess of Humanity, Brahma Kumaris (Year not specified)
- Ambassador of Goodwill, Culture & Tourism, Top Asia Awards, Thailand (2018)
- Champion for Peace & Security, Center for Economic Leadership & Development, Dubai (2015)
- Humanitarian Award, Women Advancement Forum, Dubai (2015)
- Peace & Humanitarian Award, SPMUDA (2013)
- Samman Humanitarian Award, SREI Foundation, India (2014)[12][13]
Leadership and Public Service Recognitions
- Women of Honor, The New York Women Committee, USA (2017)
- Induction into the Women Hall of Fame, Black Caucus, USA (2015)
- Conferment of Congressional Award, Atlanta, USA (2015)
- Distinguished Award for Environmental Service (2015)
- Gerry Roxas Leadership Award, Roosevelt Rodriguez, Philippines (1986)
Royal and Cultural Recognitions
- Derjah Kerabat (Highest Royal Award of Asia), The Royal Kingdom of Sulu, Philippines (2015)
- Derjah Kerabat, Jambi Melayu Kingdom, Indonesia (2015)
Pageantry and Beauty Honors
- Crowned as Queen of the Philippines, Monet Lu, USA (2012)
- Elizabeth Taylor Beauty and Humanitarian Award, Global Independence Day, USA (2012)
- Outstanding Filipino-American, PPP, USA (2012)
- Crowned as Ms. Asia Galaxy, Galaxy Pageant, USA (2012)
- Crowned as Ms. Luzon, Luzon State, Philippines (2012)
- Crowned as Ms. Southern Tagalog, Region 4, Philippines (1995)
- Crowned as Ms. Rizal, Rizal Province, Philippines (1994)
Early Recognitions
- Girl Scout of the Year, Roosevelt Rodriguez, Philippines (1984, 1985, 1986)
Books
- We Care for Humanity Poetry 2015. p. 63. Retrieved 25 March 2025.
- The Greatest Humanitarians of the World 2015. January 20, 2020. p. 74. Retrieved 25 March 2025.
- We Care for Humanity Poetry 2017: Tributes to the Awardees G.O.D. Awards 2017 U. N. Headquarters New York. January 20, 2020. p. 71. Retrieved 25 March 2025.
- We Care for Humanity Anthology. CreateSpace Independent Publishing. July 26, 2016. p. 74. ISBN 978-1522913313. Retrieved 25 March 2025.
- We Care for Humanity Poetry II. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. October 27, 2017. p. 78. ISBN 978-1547019502. Retrieved 25 March 2025.
- We Care for Humanity Poetry: Traveling Princess. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. July 16, 2015. p. 62. ISBN 978-1512055559. Retrieved 25 March 2025.
Personal life
Mariam Leonor Torres Mastura was born into two prominent families in the Philippines: the Torres Clan of the Royal House of Luzon Tagalog and the Mastura Clan of the Sultanate of Maguindanao. Her brother is the current Supreme Sultan of Maguindanao, His Majesty Sultan Zulkarnain Mastura Kudarat VI.[14][15][16]
Maria has devoted her life to humanitarian efforts,[17] choosing to remain single to focus on her charity organization, her love for the arts, and her extensive cultural and social work. She travels widely to advocate for peace, goodwill, and various social causes. Her dedication to serving others has been a cornerstone of her life, leading to significant contributions to the welfare of communities in need.[18][19]
Gallery
In the media
References
- ↑ "A morning with Team PFDA and Princess Maria Amor Torres". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
- ↑ "Philippines princess vows support for Nepali economy". The Himalayan Times. 10 March 2017. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
- ↑ "Queen Torres, Ugandan leaders discuss development projects". New Vision. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
- ↑ "Princess Maria Amor – Welcome to World Woman Summit". worldwomanfoundation.com. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
- ↑ Abraxas, Team (18 August 2015). "HH Princess Maria Amor Torres DD". Abraxas Lifestyle. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
- ↑ Times, The Hollywood (1 September 2024). "WCH Royal Summit's Expression of Gratitude – Hollywood Times". hollywoodtimes.net. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
- ↑ Correspondent, D. C. (10 October 2024). "Tconsult Launches Royal Alliance to Promote Global Innovation and Investment". www.deccanchronicle.com. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
- ↑ "Princess Dato'Sri Maria Amor Torres – Center for Economic & Leadership Development". celd.org.uk. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
- ↑ "India- 7th G.O.D. Awards' World Leaders, Dignitaries and Royals' Meet in UN Geneva Raised Gigantic Charity Partnerships and Funds for Vanuatu Hospitals". menafn.com. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
- ↑ "'We Care For Humanity' plans grand humanitarian summit, awards in August". Borneo Post Online. 27 March 2015. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
- ↑ "RAJ-JAI-HMU-princess-maria-amor-reached-rajasthan-during-visit-to-india". bhaskar.com. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
- ↑ "Indian investors announce 250 scholarships for Ugandan students". Monitor. 9 March 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
- ↑ "Indian investors announce 250 scholarships for Ugandan students. - Free Online Library". www.thefreelibrary.com. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
- ↑ Agency, HICGI News (3 March 2023). "Queen Maria Leonora Torres of Maharlika to Jet in Uganda with Asian Investors". HICGI News Agency. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
- ↑ "Buruuli tasks govt to fulfil pledge of building palace". Monitor. 12 December 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
- ↑ "Tconsult Partners Philippine Queen To Launch Royal Alliance". bizzbuzz.news. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
- ↑ "Filipino princess champions humanitarian efforts in Cambodia - Khmer Times". khmertimeskh.com. 15 October 2019. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
- ↑ "Pokhara is paradise, says Filipino princess". The Himalayan Times. 23 November 2018. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
- ↑ "The Only Legitimate Supreme Sultan of Mindanao Honored as Royal Man of Asia | FinancialContent". markets.financialcontent.com. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
External links
- Personal website
- We Care for Humanity website
- Royal Maharlika website
- Sultan of Maguindanao website
- Queen Maria Torres Mastura a.k.a. The Traveling Queen on Facebook
- Queen Maria Torres Mastura a.k.a. The Traveling Queen on Facebook
- Queen Maria Torres Mastura a.k.a. The Traveling Queen on Instagram
- Queen Maria Torres Mastura a.k.a. The Traveling Queen on Youtube
- Queen Maria Torres Mastura a.k.a. The Traveling Queen on LinkedIn