MANILA, Philippines — Michelle Marquez Dee, daughter of Miss International Melanie Marquez, now has the task of regaining the Philippines’ glory in the global Miss World pageant.
Dee bested 39 other aspirants for the top plum, receiving the Miss World Philippines crown from her predecessor Katarina Rodriguez in ceremonies staged at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Sunday night.
In last year’s edition of the London-based international tilt, the Philippines missed the first cut for the first time after seven consecutive years of moving to the next round of the competition.
Dee will try to secure the Philippines’ second Miss World victory, six years after Megan Young became the first Filipino woman to win the once-elusive “blue crown.”
Five more winners were proclaimed on Sunday’s festivities.
TV host Kelley Day received the Miss Eco Philippines crown from Miss Eco International first runner-up Maureen Montagne. Katrina Llegado got the Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas crown from Alyssa Muhlach Alvarez. And musician Isabelle de Leon inherited the Miss Multinational Philippines crown from Kimi Mugford, who finished in the Top 5 in her international competition.
Two new titles were added in this year’s edition of the national pageant.
Vanessa Mae Walters was hailed Miss Eco Teen Philippines and will compete in the 2020 Miss Eco Teen International pageant.
She was the winner of the Miss Teen Earth Philippines pageant in 2014.
The Miss Philippines Tourism crown went to Glyssa Perez, who will fulfill her duties as a tourism ambassador of the country.
She was first runner-up in 2017.
Shannon Kerver was First Princess, while Casie Banks was Second Princess.
This is the first time in the Miss World Philippines pageant’s eight-year history that its coronation night was staged at the Big Dome, which is known as the home of the rival Binibining Pilipinas pageant.
Sharing hosting chores were 2017 Miss World Philippines Laura Lehmann and Wynwyn Marquez, the first Asian woman to bag the Reina Hispanoamericana crown.
They were joined by Victor Basa and Edgar Allan Guzman.
This year’s judging panel included former Sen. Nikki Coseteng, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora, Filipino actors Raymond Bagatsing and Sunshine Cruz, and Filipino-American Hollywood actor Sean Michael Afable.
/atm