MANILA, Philippines — Chaiyenne Huisman became the first woman from Spain to win the Miss Asia Pacific International title in ceremonies staged on Wednesday, Oct. 9, at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World Manila in Pasay City.
The 20-year-old polyglot from Madrid bested 53 other aspirants in this year’s edition of the 51-year-old Manila-based global pageant.
Huisman is fluent in six languages.
Finishing second was crowd favorite Eoanna Constanza from the Dominican Republic, followed by part-Filipino Jessica Cianchino from Canada.
Rounding out the winners’ circle are third runner-up Carolina Schuler from Brazil and fourth runner-up Fiorella Cortez Arbenz from Costa Rica.
Among the panel of 14 judges were actor Richard Yap, world-renowned Filipino furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue, diplomat and beauty queen Fortune Ledesma, and 2017 Miss Asia Pacific International Francielly Ouriques.
Since its revival in 2016 after a decade-long hiatus, the Miss Asia Pacific International pageant has promoted “beauty in diversity” by pushing for programs that encourage women, and the public in general, to accept and embrace oneself.
This year, the international tilt launched the “#LoveTheDifference” campaign to further communicate its advocacy.
As the new winner, is expected to become an ambassador who will help promote acceptance of each individual’s culture, background, religion, or race.
The ceremonies, beamed live to international audiences through cable channel FoxLife, will have a delayed telecast on ABS-CBN’s “Sunday’s Best” bloc on Oct. 13.
The Philippine Daily Inquirer is media partner of the 2019 Miss Asia Pacific International pageant.
/atm
