Mutya ng Pilipinas Jannie Loudette Alipo-on bested 49 other beauties in the 20th Miss Tourism International pageant held in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, Wednesday night.

Alipo-on became the fourth Filipino winner in the Malaysia-based global tilt.

Before leaving for her competition, Alipo-on told the Inquirer that she believed the Philippines was doing well in the Miss Tourism International pageant, and other beauty contests because of the “strong support system” back home.

“The Filipinos are the best pageant fans and their enthusiasm helps boost our confidence and their prayers are, of course, the driving force for my journey here in Miss Tourism International,” she said.

She said the pageant is looking for a woman “who is adventurous, charming and confident in herself…must be able to interact with a lot people with graciousness and humility. She’s an inspiration to other people, especially to the youth, because of her good heart.”

Alipo-on’s victory came just as the Mutya ng Pilipinas pageant is gearing for its 50th anniversary next year.

Her coronation further asserted the Philippines’ dominance in the Miss Tourism International with the most number of wins in the contest’s 20-year run.

Peachy Mamzano was the first Filipino to bag the crown when she won in 2000. The late Rizzini Alexis Gomez followed suit in 2012, and Angeli Dione Gomez made it a back-to-back victory for the Philippines.

Several other Mutya queens finished in the Top 5.

Alipo-on’s coronation also boosted the Philippines’ international pageant scorecard this year.

Karen Ibasco became the fourth Filipino to win the Miss Earth crown, while Teresita Ssen Marquez became the first Asian winner in the Reina Hispanoamericana pageant.

Two more Mutya queens are vying for international titles this month.

First runner up Angela Carla Sandigan is in Shanghai, China, for the Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International pageant on Dec. 22, while Mutya ng Pilipinas-Top Model of the World Hannah Khayle Iglesia is in Chongqing, China, for the Asian International Supermodel contest on Dec. 11. /atm