MANILA, Dec 18 (PNA) –The Palace congratulated Bea Rose Santiago for being crowned in Japan on Tuesday as Miss International 2013, the country’s fifth win for the prestigious pageant.
“She is a fine exemplar of the best of Filipino womanhood: intelligent, talented and imbued with compassion for our countrymen. As he did when they met at the gathering of the Filipino community last week, the President (Aquino) once again extends to our new Miss International our people’s highest compliments and best wishes,” Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said in a statement.
During the contest’s question and answer portion, Santiago, who was asked what they would do if they win the Miss International pageant, said: “The whole world saw how my country suffered. One by one, other countries helped. You have opened my heart and eyes on what we can do to help each other.”
“I will work to sustain the spirit of sympathy and spirit of hope. As long as we work together, there is hope,” she said.
The year 2013 was perhaps the most memorable for the Philippines in terms of beauty pageants after several other Filipino women figured well in international pageants.
Actress Megan Young was crowned 2013 Miss World while Johanna Mutya Datul emerged as 2013 Miss Supranational. Ariella Arida was Miss Universe 3rd runner-up while Annalie Forbes was 2013 Miss Grand International 3rd runner-up and Koreen Medina was 2013 Miss Intercontinental 3rd runner-up.(PNA)