Mutya ng Pilipinas Sharifa Areef Mohammad Omar Akeel. Photo from Miss Asia Pacific International Inc.

Mutya ng Pilipinas Sharifa Areef Mohammad Omar Akeel continued her winning streak in the Miss Asia Pacific International pageant, bagging the “Best in Long Gown” award in the gown contest held at Alta D’ Tagaytay in Tagaytay City on Friday night. It was the last preliminary activity before the finals.

She earlier placed second in the swimsuit competition held at the Safari Hotel and Villas in Ilocos Sur on Sunday, and third in the National Costume Competition held at the Conrad Manila Hotel in Pasay City last week.

The educator from Sultan Kudarat was also voted by members of the pageant media as “Darling of the Press” during the press presentation at Conrad Manila, also last week.

Akeel just earned her Mutya ng Pilipinas title in the national pageant’s 50th anniversary edition on Sept. 16, and immediately joined her fellow candidates for the Miss Asia Pacific international contest the day after.

Brazil’s Gabriela Palma has also been making waves in the global tilt. She got the Best in Swimsuit award, and placed second to Akeel in the gown contest.

Uruguay’s Natalia Gurgel settled for third spot in both the gown and swimsuit competitions.

Uruguay’s Natalia Gurgel. Photo from Miss Asia Pacific International Inc.

Fifty ladies are competing this year, which is the global tilt’s 50th anniversary. The pageant promotes “beauty in diversity.”

Brazil’s Francielly Ouriques will relinquish her crown to her successor in the final ceremonies, which will be held at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World Manila in Pasay City on Oct. 4.