R'Bonney Gabriel's Parents Supports Her Career That Now Includes Being the 71st Miss Universe

R'Bonney Gabriel's parents, Remigio Bonzon "R. Bon" Gabriel, and Dana Walker, were delighted when their daughter was crowned Miss Universe at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center on January 14, 2023.

Miss Universe 2022, R'Bonney Gabriel is a very proud Filipina Texan woman. As the daughter of a Filipino immigrant and a Texas country woman, she has taken fundamental life lessons from her mixed background.

A latecomer to beauty pageants, she had the loving support of her parents and family during her campaign for the top spot.

R'Bonney Gabriel's Father Predicted His Daughter's Win

If R. Bon looked joyful but nonplussed when his only daughter became the second woman of Asian descent to win the title of Miss Universe in the pageant's history, it was because he was confident she would take the crown. Minutes before the coronation, he told a reporter:

“She’s going to win it; she’s going to be Miss Universe tonight.”

A screenshot of R’Bonney's pleased parents circulated on Twitter, showing a shocked Walker and a smiling R. Bon holding up an enamel and rhinestone American flag that he wore around his neck. Steve Harvey did not return to host the show this year.

R. Bon moved to Washington State from the Philippines when he was 25 as a student on scholarship. He later earned a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Houston in Texas. The father of four has worked as a mechanic.

R'Bonney says her parents are a "match made in heaven." Walker, a native of Beaumont, Texas, met her husband in the Lone Star State. The couple settled in Missouri City outside of Houston to raise their four children.

Miss Universe has a very close and playful relationship with her dad. He posed with the designer in a white slogan T-shirt and faded jeans for a campaign. She credited him for instilling in her "that now rather than later is the best time to go after your goals."

For Father's Day 2022, R'Bonney shared the photos from their campaign again and a good-natured anecdote from the shoot.

Walker, her husband, and son Brett cheered the baby of the family on when she entered her first pageant in 2020

She said her "loko" dad requested remuneration after making his modeling debut. The sustainable fashion designer turned down his request: "I told him no because he owes me for always driving me crazy."

Miss Universe Is the Youngest of 4 Children

R'Bonney is the baby of the Gabriel household, or as she likes to joke, "the favorite child." Growing up in the suburbs, the future beauty queen hang out with her three older brothers and their friends, skateboarding and playing with BB guns.

Her friends and brothers were shocked when hearing she wanted to enter a pageant because she is a tomboy and "so laid back." Because of her unique upbringing, the prospect of trying something new came naturally to her. After winning Miss Texas, she said:

"Growing up with two different cultures has made me the person I am because the family dynamic is so different on my mom and dad's side, and it's really just made me an open-minded person."

Mom, Dana Walker Gabriel, Is Very Proud of R'Bonney Gabriel

Compared to other contestants who have been on the professional beauty circuit since they were toddlers, R'Bonney Gabriel entered the world of beauty pageants late in 2020. Before joining the ranks of Miss Universe winners Like Amelia Vega and Dayanara Torres, the tomboy had to tap into another side of herself.

Walker, her husband, and son Brett cheered the baby of the family on when she entered her first pageant in 2020, Miss Kemah. She wrote on Facebook that she was "really proud" of how her daughter, placing 1st runner up, did in the competition.

A few weeks before the Miss Texas Finale in July 2022, the country woman rounded up a group of friends and family through social media to support her daughter's successful bid at the title.

Walker included detailed instructions and a link to the ticket website for the event, hoping to "gather a good crowd for the final to cheer her on."