The 56th annual Miss International beauty pageant culminated with the crowning of Kylie Verzosa, the representative from the Philippines. She bested 68 other candidates for the title and brought the Philippines' total win to six, the most of any Asian country. The Philippines now currently stands as the second most successful nation in the pageant, next to mighty Venzuela with already seven crowns.
She was crowned by outgoing queen, Miss International 2015 Edymar Martinez from Venezuela. Adjudged as first runner-up is Australia Alexandra Britton, second runner-up is Indonesia Felicia Hwang, third runner-up is Nicaragua Brianny Chamorro, and winning fourth runner-up is USA Kaityrana Leinbach.
Indonesia was also the recipient of the Best Dresser Award while Nicaragua was picked for the Best in National Costume. On the other hand, the candidate from Moldova, Alina Chirciu, was adjudged as Miss Perfect Body.
In a report from CNN Philippines, Verzosa said during her speech that if she wins the crown she will devote herself to promoting cultural and international understanding. The 24-year-old beauty queen added she believes she is prepared to take on the responsibility of being Miss International 2016.
The Top 15 was comprised of the following countries:
Verzosa nailed the speech segment of the 56th Miss International 2016 pageant's coronation night, according to a Philippine Star report. She gave a flawless delivery of her thoughts on culture, education and international understanding.
"If I become Miss International 2016, I will devote myself to cultural understanding and international understanding because I believe that it is with developing in each of us [the] sensitivity to other cultures, that we expand our horizons tolerate difference and appreciate diversity," Verzosa said.
"All these enable us to achieve international understanding and I believe I'm prepared to take on this responsibility," she added.
The 56th Miss International pageant was held at the Tokyo Come City Hall in Tokyo, Japan. The pageant is the third longest running international beauty pageant after Miss World and Miss Universe. Together with Miss Earth, the four pageants are considered the most important beauty titles in the planet.
