Well, one of the most awaited events in pageantry - Miss World Philippines - comes to an end! And what a stupendous finale it was, with thirty-five Filipina beauties rocking the stage with confidence in swim wear and long gown. The event was graced by ex-Miss World Philippines titleholders - Catriona, Megan, Hillary, Valerie and Miss World 2016 Stephanie del Valle Diaz, who was also a jury member.
And the conclusion was expected by some fans and comes as a shock to some in the Philippines, as Laura Victoria Lehmann was crowned as the winner. She will now represent her country in Miss World 2017 to be held in Sanya, China later this year.
Laura has a pretty face and looks stunning when she dons evening gowns. Laura earlier competed in Binibining Pilipinas 2014, where she could not manage to win a title though ended as the first runner-up. Her experience as a TV host did give her an edge when it came to the Q&A round.
In the Q&A round, she was asked "There are people who believe that pageants do not provide an opportunity to empower women. What would you say to them?"
She answered with confidence "To anyone who does not believe in pageants, I would ask them to look at the girls that we had on the stage tonight because we had lawyers, we had architects, we had women of substance and they all are not here today not only because of what they look like but because of what's in their hearts, what's in their minds and because they brought forward beauty with purpose and they all are fighting to represent the Philippines and to become the best person in the Philippines to represent in Miss World and to me it is only something to celebrate."
At the same event, the pre-finals front-runners for the Miss World Philippines 2017 title, Cynthia Magpatoc Thomalla and Teresita Ssen Marquez were crowned Miss ECO Philippines 2017 and Reina Hispanoamericana Philippines 2017 respectively. Sophia Senoron was crowned Miss Multinational Philippines 2017.
Top 10 Finalists also included are Glyssa Perez, Jona Sweett, Cristina Marie Coloma, Zara Carbonell, Janela Joy Cuaton, and Shiela Marie Reyes; and Gabriela Madarieta Ortega, Henna Kaizelle Nicole Cajandig, Chelsea Anne Manalo, Ella Eiveren Lubag, and Noelle Uy Tuazon made up the Top 15. Click to see the full results including special awards.
What do you think of the newly crowned Filipina beauty?