Philippines, we have a new queen!
Philippine bet Kylie Verzosa was declared the winner of 56th Miss International pageant, held at the Tokyo Dome City Hall in Tokyo, Japan on Thu, Oct 27.
Miss Australia was named first runner-up while Indonesia was named second runner-up.
Completing the top five are Miss Nicargua and Miss USA.
During the pageant’s final speech, Kylie said she will devote herself to culture and facilitating “international understanding” if she wins the Miss International crown.
“I believe that it is with developing in each of us sensitivity to other cultures, that we expand our horizons tolerate difference and appreciate diversity,” she said.
“All these enable us to achieve international understanding and I believe I’m prepared to take on this responsibility.”
Kylie bested 68 other contestants for the crown.
The 24-year-old beauty queen from Baguio City is a pre-school teacher and a professional model with a degree in business management from the Ateneo de Manila University.
She joined the local Binibining Pilipinas pageant in 2015, the year Pia Wurtzbach won the top title, but only landed in the top 15. Kylie joined again this year, bagging the Bb. Pilipinas-International 2016 title.
She is the country’s sixth Miss International titleholder, following the victories of Bea Rose Santiago (2013), Lara Quigaman (2005), Melanie Marquez (1979), Aurora Pijuan (1970), and Gemma Cruz-Araneta (1964).
Kylie is also the first Pinay to win an international beauty pageant crown this year.
The Philippines has won a beauty pageant crown every year since 2013. Last year, the country bagged three major titles: Miss Universe (Pia Wurtzbach), Miss Earth (Angelia Ong), and Miss Globe (Ann).
Congratulations, Kylie! We’re proud of you!
Reader Interactions