Cebu City’s Cynthia Thomalla crowned Miss Eco-Phl
Afew days before she was to compete for Reyna ng Aliwan last April 2016, Cynthia Magpatoc Thomalla had told The FREEMAN that the major national pageant she was eyeing was Miss World Philippines (MWP).
The Tourism Management graduate said she looked up to Miss World winner Megan Young and also found the pageant’s Beauty with a Purpose projects suited her advocacy of helping underprivileged kids.
After turning over her Reyna ng Aliwan crown last April, Cynthia indeed focused her sights on following in the footsteps of Megan by signing up for MWP. With her mesmerizing beauty and skilled stage presence, she was quickly listed as a top contender to nab the crown.
But it seems that destiny has other plans for the Fil-German, for instead of the MWP crown, she was handed the Miss EcoPhilippines title (among the three new crowns at stake in MWP’s new management) Sunday night during the finals held at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The title earned her the right to represent the Philippines at the Miss Eco International pageant in Egypt come April 2018.
Cynthia, a native of Southern Leyte, also won the Top Model Award (which fasttracked her to the Top 15), Miss Photogenic, Best in Evening Gown, Best Smile and Miss Bluewater Day Spa.
Thomalla’s prizes include P250,000 in cash, a P250,000 management contract with ALV Circuit Talents and a P500,000 Regal Films contract.
During the question and answer portion where host Megan Young gushed about her resemblance to Hollywood star Anne Hathaway, Cynthia was asked about the most important social issue facing her generation today. In her immaculate mermaid-cut gown by Marichu Tan, Cynthia replied that she considers social media use is of great concern.
“[It’s] the use of social media. A lot of people use social media irresponsibly, which has caused a lot of conflict and misunderstanding. I encourage everyone to use social media responsibly...Think before you click,” the swimming and archery enthusiast said.
If anything, Miss Eco International is a great opportunity for Cynthia to spread awareness and goodwill on a large scale. The pageant, previously known as Miss Eco Queen in 2015, Miss Eco Universe in 2016, and eventually rebranded as Miss Eco International 2017 last year, has been hosted by Egypt for three consecutive years now.
Miss Eco International advocates for tourism and environment. The woman who wins the crown will be a champion for eco-tourism worldwide as well as instill values about the safety and protection of the planet and its resources through an exchange of culture in an international level as a way of spreading tourism and environmental awareness.
Other winners
Best known for her stint as a UAAP courtside reporter for the Ateneo Blue Eagles, Laura Victoria Lehmann certainly knows a thing or two about being competitive.
The 24-year-old Fil-German beauty from Makati showed why she had consistently emerged as one of the heavy favorites in MWP. The newly-crowned Miss World Philippines has a history of doing well in national pageants. In 2014, Laura finished first runner-up in the Binibining Pilipinas pageant, edging out, among others, Pia Wurtzbach who finished only in the Top 15.
Being the athletic type, Laura was also part of the Philippine team for softball as well as dabbled in touch rugby. She was also quite a cerebral woman, as while studying in the US, she pursued not one but three majors, namely Psychology, Neuro Science and Spanish Studies.
Laura also won the Multimedia challenge of the pageant’s Fast Track events, as well as the special awards Miss Cosmo Skin and Miss BYS Philippines.
She is set to represent the country in this year’s Miss World pageant in Sanya, China on November 18.
Actress Teresita “Winwyn” Marquez, 25, who represented Parañaque, clinched the Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas crown. She will compete in the Reina Hispanoamericana pageant scheduled in Bolivia this year.
Winwyn also won the Beach Beauty and Talent Competition in the Fast Track events as well as the special awards Miss Savoy Hotel Boracay and Miss Bench Body.
A surprise winner in the pageant was 18-year-old Sophia Senoron from Manila. Sophia, who was not in the radar of most pageant experts, took the Miss Multinational Philippine crown. She will compete in the Miss Multimedia pageant that will take place in India this year.
Glyssa Perez of Bohol, 22, was adjudged 1st Princess and also won the Sports challenge in the Fast Track events as well as the special award Miss Fila. Zara Carbonell, a 23-year-old native from Batangas, was the pageant’s 2nd Princess.
Judges included Diether Ocampo, Miss World 1993 Second Princess Ruffa Gutierrez, Willie Revillame, reigning Miss World Stephanie del Valle of Puerto Rico, broadcast journalist Vicky Morales, Filipino international Paolo Roldan, “Mulawin vs Ravena” cast member and Mr. Chinatown Philippines 2014 first runner-up David Licauco and Regal Films’ Roselle Monteverde. — with
InterAksyon.com