Another Filipina beauty made the country proud as Philippine bet Kylie Verzosa won Miss International 2016.
Verzosa bested more than 65 other representatives of various countries and regions and became the title-holder, making her the fifth Filipina to become Miss International.
In her speech after the announcement of the top 15 finalists, Verzosa said that should she win the title, she wants to focus on cultural and international understanding.
“If I become Miss International 2016, I will devote myself to cultural understanding and international understanding because I believe that it is in developing in each of us sensitivity to other cultures that we expand our horizons, tolerate difference and appreciate diversity,” she said.
The Filipina beauty stunned the crowd as she sported her green one-piece swimsuit during the swimwear segment. During the evening gown segment, Verzosa showed her regal beauty in her floor-length light blue beaded gown.
Beauty pageant expert Missossology.org earlier predicted Verzosa would only place seventh in the pageant. The expert, however, noted that, coincidentally, they also previously predicted Miss International 2013 title-holder Bea Santiago to only make it to the Top 7. The Philippine contender still managed to bag the title that year.
Verzosa met President Rodrigo Duterte, who is on an official visit to Tokyo, Japan, last Monday.
Miss Australia won first runner-up while Indonesia placed third place. The two candidates were followed by Miss Nicaragua and Ms. USA at the third and fourth runner-up spots, respectively.
