MANILA, Philippines – Miss Intercontinental 2018 Karen Gallman epitomized  “the new breed of beautiful and cerebral Filipino women,” Malacañang said Monday, as it hailed the Bohol-born beauty queen for being the first Filipina to win the pageant.

“I’d like to congratulate another laurel to the Philippines. Miss Gallman, Karen Gallman, for winning the Miss Intercontinental,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a Palace briefing.

“She exemplifies the new breed of beautiful and cerebral Filipino women that is putting the Philippines in the world map as a country of reigning beauties with high IQ,” he added.

Gallman won the Miss Intercontinental crown on Saturday, after 46 long years, besting 82 other candidates at SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

READ: Karen Gallman of PH crowned Miss Intercontinental 2018

“This (crown) means a lot to me. This is the first time the Philippines won Miss Intercontinental, so I’m very happy I could do this for the country. I’m so grateful!,” she told reporters after her coronation.

Gallman bagged the title a month after Catriona Gray was crowned Miss Universe 2018 in Bangkok, Thailand. /kga