MANILA, Philippines – Miss International 2013 Bea Rose Santiago was given a “sweet surprise” by fellow Filipinos before she bagged the coveted crown.

Santiago on her Instagram account recounted how the Filipino staff of the hotel they were billeted in left a box of chocolates on her bed with a note wishing her luck with the pageant.

“Claim the crown Miss Bea…For the Philippines!” the note read.

“I love being Filipino!” Santiago said online.

“Earlier this week, I was running late and the cleaning supervisor checked my room. Before I left the floor, I asked her if she’s Filipino and she said yes. I said I’m Miss Philippines. That’s my room and smiled. Tonight I saw this on the side of my nicely fixed pjs (pajamas) and pillows!” the rest of her post said.

Attached was a photograph showing a box of chocolates and the note from the group, which said:

“Dear Miss Bea, Welcome to Tokyo! We hope you’re enjoying your stay…We want to wish you good luck (in) person but we understand you are busy preparing for the pageant today. So instead,…accept our small gift as our…way of showing our support. We believe you can win.”

“We wish you all the best of luck. Claim the crown Miss Bea…For the Philippines!”

As of Wednesday afternoon, the Instagram post has received 433 “likes.”