MANILA, Philippines–With Megan Young winning the Philippines’ first Miss World title last year, can this year’s Miss World Philippines Valerie Weigmann be far behind? She is looking forward to duplicating Young’s feat, said the German-Filipino.
She will approach the challenge with a “pusong Pinoy,” said Weigmann, who beat 25 other aspirants. “I will show them how amazing Filipinos are, how hard-working we are, that we deserve a back-to-back (win).”
Weigmann was a host of the noontime show “Eat…Bulaga!”
“This is dedicated to our indigenous brothers and sisters all over the Philippines. I want to raise awareness about them,” she told the Inquirer after she bagged the top plum at the 2014 Miss World Philippines pageant Sunday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The title came with a P1-million prize pot.
The German-Filipino contender, who bested 25 other aspirants, automatically advanced to the contest’s Top 13 when she received the Best in Fashion Runway award, which was based on her performance at a special gala held on Tuesday.
Two other contestants fast-tracked to the Top 13–Miss Photogenic Nelda Ibe of Tarlac, who finished third and was also proclaimed Miss Organique, and Miss Sun Cellular Kimberly Anne Sarreal of Olongapo.
A clear winner from the start of the show and all throughout the rest of the contest, the 24-year-old Weigmann also received other special awards, taking the lion’s share with a total of 12 of the 20 citations.
Weigmann was earlier proclaimed Miss World CamSur in a preliminary competition held at the Camsur Watersports Complex in Camarines Sur. During the coronation night, she was also hailed Best in Swimsuit, Best in Long Gown, Best in Fashion Runway, Miss Solaire, Miss Figlia, Jesi Mendez Salon Ambassador, Miss Reducin, Miss Blue Water Day Spa, Miss Bench, Miss Olay and Miss Hana Shampoo.
Weigmann further cemented her lead during the final round of the competition.
When asked why she should be proclaimed Miss World, Wiegmann said: “I try to live my life in relation to others, by putting myself into other people’s shoes. I believe in the importance of empathy and compassion. Because I see, if all of us can come together and work as one, we can all be advocates of change. I want to inspire and encourage everyone to take up a personal advocacy, such as my own, by enabling our indigenous brothers and sisters from Tarlac. Because I believe truly, in giving we can be beautiful.”
All five finalists answered the same final question.
Joining Weigmann in the winners’ circle were Best in Sports Lorraine Kendrickson of Dumaguete who placed second, Miss Photogenic Nelda Ibe of Tarlac who finished third, former Binibining Pilipinas contestant Nicole Donesa, who placed fourth, and Yahoo Philippines Readers’ Choice and Security Bank’s Most Alluring Rachel Peters of Camarines Sur, who finished fifth.
Weigmann, who was born in her father’s native Germany but represented her mother’s province of Albay in the competition, said she was looking forward to duplicating Young’s triumph in the Miss World contest.
Weigmann will also take with her an expansive experience in television and modeling. She first gained prominence as a housemate in the second edition of “Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition,” and briefly hosted the defunct “Wowowee.”
She also appeared in the TV fantasy show “Kidlat” with actor Derek Ramsay and was in Marlon Rivera’s “Ang Huling Henya” starring Rufa Mae Quinto.
Her latest TV gig was as host of the “All for Juan, Juan for All” segment of the noontime variety show “Eat…Bulaga!”
Weigmann will fly to London, England, for the 2014 Miss World pageant, which will culminate on Dec. 14.
Sweden was the first country to bag two consecutive wins in the Miss World contest, with Kiki Håkansson and May-Louise Flodin taking the crowns in the first two editions, respectively.
The United Kingdom also scored a back-to-back in 1964 and 1965 with Ann Sydney and Lesley Langley, respectively.
India was the last country to make two consecutive Miss World victories, with Yukta Mookhey in 1999 and Priyanka Chopra in 2000.
Before Young’s coronation last year, the Philippines bagged second place honors with Evangeline Pacual (1973) and Gwendoline Ruais (2011). Actress Ruffa Gutierrez placed third in 1993. Three other representatives advanced to the final round, Cecilia Amabuyok (1968), Maria Rafaela Yunon (2003) and Karla Bautista (2004).
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