FILIPINO-GERMAN Cynthia Thomalla bested more than 50 delegates from around the world to win the Miss Eco International 2018 title on Friday at the historic Cairo Opera House in Zamalek, Egypt.
The 22-year-old Tourism and Event Management graduate and Cebu-based model, gorgeous in a chiffon red gown with appliqué, was crowned by last year’s winner Amber Bernachi of Canada.
Miss Indonesia Astira Vernadeina was named 1st runner up, Miss Peru Kelin River Kroll was 2nd runner-up, while Miss Costa Rica Glynnis Medina and Miss Vietnam Nguyen Thi Dung finished as 3rd and 4th runners-up, respectively.
Completing the Top 10 were Brazil, Egypt, India, Poland and Portugal. Top 21 were China, Colombia, Ecuador, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Nigeria, Russia, Serbia, Surinam and Venezuela.
‘’I want food, I want to sleep right now,” the Anne-Hathaway deadringer said when interviewed by Missosology after her win.
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“I really did not expect to win as the 52 other girls were all amazing. I was so nervous before the announcement standing with just the two of us with Miss Indonesia and they were talking in Arabic. I’m so overwhelmed and I want to thank those who supported me, my family and friends, my mentors, ALV group of Companies president Arnold Vegafria, and to all Filipinos, this victory is for you,” Thomalla said at the backstage where she was greeted by Vegafria and Miss World Philippines vice president Bessie Besana.
In the final Q&A portion, Thomalla was asked “What is the most important thing that beauty pageants add to people and the world?
“The most relevant thing that we beauty queens can contribute to the world is raising awareness on our own causes. For example, the Miss Eco International is raising the advocacy of sustainable tourism and protection of environment. That is the main point of doing beauty pageants, by raising our voices to help the earth,” the German-born and Southern Leyte-raised beauty answered.
Thomalla, who said all she did in the competition was to be herself and enjoy the whole experience, is the 3rd beauty queen from the 2017 Miss World Philippines winners to win abroad, following Reina Hispanoamericana 2017 Winwyn Marquez and Miss Multinational 2017 Sophia Senoron.
