Katarina Rodriguez finishes as 1st runner-up in Miss Intercontinental 2017

Katarina Rodriguez has brought pride to the country as she finished first runner-up in the Miss Intercontinental 2017 pageant.

Veronica Salas Vallejo of Mexico bagged the title during the coronation night held last night, Jan. 24, in SUNRISE Garden Beach Resort in Hurghada, Egypt.

Aside from Rodriguez, other runners-up include Cathelijne Heppenhuis of Netherlands; Amanda Cardoso of Brazil; Lizeth Villanueva of Colombia; and Lee Su Jin of Korea.

Another one of my favorite looks so far during @missintercontinentalorg – my closed door interview look!?? Can never go wrong with a statement pant suit that just screams power woman. ? #MIO2017 #MissIntercontinentalPh #SUNRISEMeetsBeauty #SUNRISEResorts #CrystalBaying #SUNRISECrystalBay #KatareynaMIO2017 #MissIntercontinental2017 #HMPhilippines

A post shared by KATARINA (@katarinarodri) on Jan 18, 2018 at 10:39pm PST

National Costume shooting & of course @francislibiran has awed us all once more with this gorgeous Filipiniana. His national costume designs are always my favorite. ???❤️ Thank you for this, Francis. ??

A post shared by KATARINA (@katarinarodri) on Jan 19, 2018 at 5:33am PST

The official @missintercontinentalorg Philippine Sash. ??❤️ Earrings from @flutterstatementjewelry MU & hair by me ☺️

A post shared by KATARINA (@katarinarodri) on Jan 13, 2018 at 1:43am PST

Members of the live audience and even netizens applauded Rodriguez’s well-thought answer during the question and answer portion of the said pageant.

She was asked what is the most important thing that she learned in joining Miss Intercontinental.

The Filipina beauty queen answered: “The most important thing that I have learned in joining Miss Intercontinental is an Arabic word named after one of the Sunrise Resorts and that is Meraki. It means to do all things with passion, soul, and creativity.”

“When I heard this word and its definition, it resonated with me ’til now and I think it will for the rest of my life. Therefore, that is the most important thing I learned while participating at Miss Intercontinental.”

“That is to do all things with soul, passion, and creativity.”

By @redkeeler ? #crownseries

A post shared by KATARINA (@katarinarodri) on Jan 11, 2018 at 5:51am PST

Could not be any more excited to be representing not only myself but an entire country, MY country in this once in a lifetime competition. Philippines, I love you. ??❤️??

A post shared by KATARINA (@katarinarodri) on Jan 10, 2018 at 4:05pm PST

Aside from being the first-runner up, Rodriguez was also declared as Miss Intercontinental Asia and Oceania.

In a video that was taken after the pageant, Rodriguez emotionally gave a message to the Filipino people.

REPOST FROM THE QROWN PHILIPPINES FB

Teary-eyed, KATARINA RODRIGUEZ (@KatarinaRodri) sends her love to the Filipino People.

?????? pic.twitter.com/W8DJMWfm4x

— #KATARINAFORMISSINTERCONTINENTAL (@katjastronomy) January 24, 2018

Before joining the beauty pageant scene, Rodriguez first joined the second season of Asia’s Next Top Model where she finished second runner up.

The Philippines first joined the Miss Intercontinental pageant in 2014 with Kris Tiffany Janson being its first delegate.

The Miss Intercontinental pageant was founded in 1971. Most of its past winners hailed from Europe and the Americas.