DAVAO CITY”•Beauty queen Kylie Versoza brought honor to her country for being crowned Miss International 2016 at the Tokyo Dome City Hall in Tokyo on Wednesday, President Rodrigo Duterte said Friday.
“I am happy,” he said.
“I am always happy if our beautiful women win all the titles.”
Duterte made his statement even as Baguio Mayor Mauricio Domogan said Versoza brought the city to the limelight with her victory.
“We are proud that a Baguio girl was able to bring home the Miss International title,” Domogan said.
“We are happy that she was able to prove that local beauties have a place in international competitions. We hope that other local beauties will be able to follow in her footsteps.”
Domogan said he was looking forward to meeting Versoza to congratulate her personally.
Versoza, 24, hails from Baguio City. She finished Business Management at the Ateneo de Manila University.
She first joined the Miss Philippines beauty pageant in 2015, when she placed in the top 15. She was then crowned Miss Philippines-International 2016 when she joined the same contest this year.
The 5-foot-nine Versoza is the 6th Filipina to bring home the Miss International crown after Bea Santiago (2013), Precious Lara Quigaman (2005), Mimilanie Marquez (1979), Aurora Pijuan (1970) and Gemma Teresa Cruz (1964).