FILIPINO beauty queen Kylie Verzosa won the Miss International title at the beauty pageant held at the Tokyo Dome City Hall in Tokyo on Thursday.
The 24-year-old model and Business Management graduate of Ateneo de Manila University bested 68 other candidates from around the globe.
Miss Australia was first runner-up, Miss Indonesia second runner-up, Miss Nicaragua third runner-up, and Miss USA was fourth runner-up.
Miss International 2015 Edymar Martínez of Venezuela relinquished the crown at the end of the competition.
Versoza is the sixth Filipina to win the crown after Bea Santiago (2013), Precious Lara Quigaman (2005), Mimilanie Marquez (1979), Aurora Pijuan (1970) and Gemma Teresa Cruz (1964).
“Three things come to mind when I think of Miss International: Culture, education and international understanding,” Versoza said in her speech.
“These three work together to make the Miss International beauty pageant brand relevant to the global community.”
The five-foot-nine Verzosa had previously said she would work for international cultural understanding in case she won the title.
“I believe that developing in each of us the sensitivity to other cultures would expand horizons, tolerate difference and appreciate diversity,” she said. All of these will enable us achieve international understanding.”
Verzosa first participated in the Miss Philippines contest in 2015, when she placed in the Top 15.
She again joined the Miss Philippines contest the following year and was crowned Miss Philippines International 2016, earning her the right to represent the country at the 56th edition of the Miss International beauty pageant.
