The Melanie Marquez magic seems to have worked to Michelle Dee’s advantage after she snagged the Miss World Philippines 2019 crown over this year’s assemble of outstanding group of women at the pageant coronation night held at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Sunday.
Seated at the front row, Melanie could have gotten flashback memories of her triumph in Miss International pageant held in Tokyo, Japan exactly forty years ago in 1979, seeing Michelle being crowned by last year’s Katarina Rodriguez.
The 23-year-old Michelle, a Psychology graduate at De La Salle University, won the FILA Sportswoman fast track event to enter the Top 20 semi-finalists.
“It would probably be polaroid films. I’m an avid lover of art, I love photography and I love the kind of energy and feel that polaroids give me, just being able to lay everything out and go down memory lane is such a different feeling,” Michelle replied in the final question-and-answer part of the pageant where she was asked, “what invention from the last century does she think should make a comeback?”
Heavy favorite Maria Katrina Llegado, a 21-year-old financial analyst, was named Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas 2019. She won the Top Model fast track event and was adjudged Miss Photogenic.
Kapuso talent Kelley Day, a 22-year-old Fil-British model and actress was crowned Miss Eco Philippines International 2019.
Actress and singer Isabelle de Leon, a 25-year-old, who was a refreshing revelation during the Q&A, was named Miss Multinational Philippines 2019. Australia-born Glyssa Leiann Perez, a 24-year-old, Commerce graduate, became the first winner of Miss Tourism Philippines 2019 title. A cousin of Miss Universe-Philippines 2016 Maxine Medina, she won the Beauty with a Purpose fast track challenge with her breast cancer awareness advocacy.
Cebuana-Australian model Vanessa-Mae Walters, 19, was named the first Miss Teen Eco International Philippines 2019. She made the Top 20 cut after winning the Bench Beach Beauty fast track challenge.
Shannon Christie Kerver and Cassie Banks were named Miss World Philippines 2019 1st and 2nd Princess, respectively.
Outgoing 2018 queens made their farewell speeches led by Miss World Philippines Katarina Rodriguez along with Miss Eco Philippines Maureen Montagne, Miss Multinational Philippines Kimi Mugford and Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas Alyssa Muhlach Alvarez.
Miss World Philippines 2017 Laura Lehman, Reina Hispanoamericana 2017 Winwyn Marquez and actors Victor Basa and Edgar Allan Guzmanhosted the 9th edition of the national pageant. Sunshine Cruz, Nicki Coseteng and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno were among the board of judges.
