Fil-American Maureen Montagne, a veteran of local and international beauty competitions, finally won her own crown after beating 50 candidates from all over the world at the Miss Globe 22021 pageant held at the Opera Theater in Tirana, Albania on Friday night (Saturday in Manila).
The 28-year-old model from Chandler, Arizona is the second Filipina to win the title after Ann Lorraine Colis in 2015.
She is also the second of Binibining Pilipinas’ reigning queens to win an international crown this year following the victory of Cinderella Faye Obeñita at Miss Intercontinental 2021 last week.
Miss Nigeria Esther Ogechi Gabriel was named Miss Globe first runner-up; Miss Turkey Melike Bali, 2nd runner up; Miss Venezuela Jhosskaren Smiller Carrizo Orozco, 3rd runner-up; and Miss Canada Hailey Hamelin-Wilson, 4th runner-up.
Montagne clinched the crown with an impressive answer in the Top 5 question and answer round.
“I think that true beauty comes from within. To be a Miss Globe is to be a beauty that inspires. What makes us beautiful is our smiles, it’s what we do for our community. It’s how we give back to others, and it’s how we carry ourselves through life. I believe that everyone has beauty inside of them, and I believe it is our duty to share it with the world, and to give back, and to truly inspire others,” she said.
Montagne shone in her Sampaguita national costume created for her by Patrick Isorena.
Her vast experience in beauty pageants includes her first runner-up finish in Miss Eco International 2019 in Egypt, where she declined to take over from dethroned Suheyn Cipriani of Peru, who was stripped of the title due to her pregnancy.
After finishing third princess in Miss Asia Arizona 2011 and first runner-up in Mutya ng Pilipinas 2013, Montagne represented Arizona in Miss USA 2015, finishing among the Top 15, where Miss Oklahoma Olivia Jordan won and competed in the Miss Universe 2015 won by Filipina Pia Wurtzbach.
Montagne, who studied at Arizona State University, also competed in Miss World America 2017, where she placed 1st runner-up, and at Miss World Philippines 2018, where she took the title Miss Eco Philippines 2018.
Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI), led by Madam Stella Marquez-Araneta, greeted Montagne for her feat.
“We are thrilled with your latest pageant achievement. We never doubted that you will represent our country so well internationally. You make us very proud,” she said in BPCI’s statement.