Kylie Verzosa of the Philippines was crowned Miss International 2016 at the 56th Miss International pageant, held October 27 at Tokyo Dome City Hall in Tokyo, Japan — the Philippines’ sixth Miss International title.
Venezuela’s Edymar Martínez, the previous year’s titleholder, crowned a visibly emotional Verzosa, who thanked her supporters in the Philippines and around the world.
The 24-year-old used her pageant speech to commit to cultural diplomacy, saying she would promote cultural and international understanding should she win.
“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,” Verzosa said.
Watch her speech below:
Her win followed a strong showing for the Philippines the day before, when Nicole Cordoves placed runner-up at the newly-concluded Miss Grand International pageant in Las Vegas.
Verzosa is the sixth Filipina to win Miss International, following Bea Rose Santiago (2013), Precious Lara Quigaman (2005), Mimilanie Marquez (1999), Aurora Pijuan (1970), and Gemma Cruz (1964).
Born in Baguio City, Verzosa graduated from Ateneo de Manila University with a degree in Business Management. Before this win, the former preschool teacher-turned-model had been the presumed favorite to represent the Philippines at Miss Universe at the national pageant earlier the same year. It was Maxine Medina who ultimately earned that spot, representing the country at Miss Universe, held in the Philippines in January 2017.
The Runners-Up
Alexandra Britton of Australia placed first runner-up, the country’s best finish at the pageant in two decades.
Felicia Hwang of Indonesia took second runner-up, a strong follow-up to Indonesia’s win at Miss Grand International the day before.
Brianny Chamorro of Nicaragua placed third runner-up, and Kaityrana Leinbach of the USA repeated her country’s fourth-runner-up finish from the previous year.
Miss Australia Alexandra Britton is first runner-up.
Miss International Indonesia, Felicia Hwang, won second runner-up.
Miss Nicaragua Brianny Chamorro placed third runner-up in Miss International 2016.
Kaityrana Leinbach of the USA retained her country’s fourth-runner-up placement in this year’s competition.
Pingback: Coca-Cola offers new flavored water Wilkins Delight – Ely's Planet
Pingback: Rachel Peters is Miss Universe Philippines 2017 – Ely's Planet
Pingback: Miss Universe Thailand 2026: Tharina Botes Wins, and Gives Catriona Gray the Credit | ELYSPLANET