Laura Victoria Lehmann was crowned Miss World Philippines 2017 at the Coronation Night at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena. The 24-year-old psychology major at Ateneo de Manila University and currently an ABS-CBN Sports+Action courtside reporter at UAAP basketball/volleyball games earned the judges’ nod (the longest list of judges ever assembled –19 – in one pageant) with her answer during the t Top 10 Question and Answer portion with 2013 Miss World Megan Young.
“What does she think of those who say that beauty pageants do not empower women?,’’ was what the former Bb. Pilipinas 2014 first runner-up picked among the questions and to which she answered, “To anyone who doesn’t believe in pageants, I would ask them to take a look at the girls up on our stage tonight—because we have lawyers, we have architects, we have women of substance who are here today not only because of what they look like, but also because of what’s in their hearts, what’s in their mind, and because they’ve brought forth beauty with a purpose. They’re helping represent the Philippines and become the best version of the Filipina, and for me that’s something only to celebrate.”
and the runners-up
Teresita Ssen Wynwin Marquez, a Kapuso talent, nearly stole the thunder from the rest of the Top 10 finalists, arguably the most intelligent and articulate group ever selected in a national pageant, with a passionate “beauty with a purpose” answer to why she deserved the title Miss World Philippines.
Marquez, a 25-year-old, Management graduate of San Beda College, surely brought pride to her parents Alma Moreno and Joey Marquez after winning the first Reina Hispano Americana Filipinas 2017 title that will bring her to compete in Bolivia this year.
Lehmann will represent the country in the Miss World 2017 pageant in Sanya, China on Nov.18.
A new crown drawn from the Philippines’ title “The Pearl of the Orient” was designed with Megan Young’s help.
Lehmann and Marquez earlier won the Multi-Media, and Miss Talent/Bench Beach Beauty fast track events, respectively, giving them an automatic entry into the top 15 semi-finalists. Lehmann also bagged the Miss Cosmo Skin special award while Marquez took home the Miss Savoy Hotel Boracay title.
Cynthia Thomalla, a 22-year-old, Tourism student and former Sinulog Festival Queen 2016, was named Miss Eco-Philippines 2017, another new title for the Miss World Philippines franchise under national director Arnold. L. Vegafria. Thomalla, a dead ringer for Hollywood actress Anne Hathaway, won the Top Model fast track, best in long gown, Miss Photogenic and Miss Blue Water Day Spa special awards, and will compete in India.
Sophia Senoren, a17-year-old, Generation East 2017 Grand Winner, who reacted in shock every time her name was called, won the new title as Miss Multinational Philippines 2017. Glyssa Perez and Zara Carbonell were named First and Second Princesses, respectively.
KC Montero, Carla Abellana and Iya Villania hosted The Miss World Philippines 2017 with guest performers Jay-R, Kris Lawrence, and Christian Bautista, with Miss World Organization president Julia Morley, reigning Miss World Stephanie Del Valle, Mister World 2016 Rohit Khandelwal and former Miss World Philippines beauties Gwen Ruais, Queenierich Rehmann, Valerie Weigmann and Hillarie Parungao in the audience.