At the grand coronation night of the coveted Miss Asia Pacific International 2018 held tonight at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila, Pasay City, Metro Manila, Sharifa Akeel representing the Philippines was crowned the new queen. She succeeds and was crowned by Miss Asia Pacific International 2017 Francielly Ouriques.

Sharifa Areef was crowned Mutya ng Pilipinas 2018 as she won the right to represent the Philippines in Miss Asia Pacific International 2018 as Miss Asia Pacific Philippines 2018. With a consistent performance, Sharifa already won the titles of Darling of the Press at the Press Presentation and Best Evening Gown during the preliminaries. She also was the first runner-up in the swimsuit competition and the second runner-up in the National Costume Competition in the event.

It was clear from the beginning that Sharifa was a strong competitor which she proved with her performance. She was also a part of our Top 15 favourite contestants competing for the title. Miss Asia Pacific International 2018 Sharifa Akeel’s court included –

First Runner-Up – Gabriela Palma representing Brazil

Second Runner-Up – Melania Gonzales representing Costa Rica

Third Runner-Up – Misheelt Narmandakh representing Mongolia

Fourth Runner-Up – Mariani Nataly Chacon Angarita representing Venezuela

The glamorous evening began with a dance sequence by the fifty delegates of Miss Asia Pacific International 2018 who looked gorgeous in their purple dresses. This year’s edition celebrated fifty years of Miss Asia Pacific International which has witnessed tremendous changes in concept, culture and pageant history.

An accomplished panel of jury was selected to govern the whole competition which included personalities from all over the globe namely - Enrique Enriquz, Carelle Herrara, Kate Pagalikawan, Tessa Le Conge, Josie Sy Go, Ambassador Fortune Hedesma, Renee Salud, Peter Gassner, Anthony Pangilinan, Biboy Enriquez, Tiffany Primalia Tan, Cory Quirino.

Also, see – Meet the fifty contestants of Miss Asia Pacific International 2018

As the divas paraded in their swimsuits, Top 20 out of the 50 countries were announced - Italy, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Brazil, USA, South Africa, Mongolia, Thailand, Panama, Kazakhstan, Russia, Bangladesh, Peru, Netherlands, Costa Rica, Colombia, Nigeria, Philippines, Uruguay, Portugal. Italy was announced the People’s Choice Award winner.

With enjoyable performances from various renowned artists, the Top 20 divas were reduced down to the Top 10 countries which moved further in the competition – Panama, Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, Thailand, Costa Rica, Philippines, Mongolia, Brazil and Venezuela. The Top 10 divas then moved further to the question and answer round where they answered questions from the panel of jury.

As the last year’s queen Miss Asia Pacific International 2017 Francielly Ouriques took her last walk, the competition ended with the crowning of the winner and her court. We wish our heartiest congratulations to the newly crowned queen!