Atenean is crowned Miss World Philippines
A former courtside reporter for the Ateneo Blue Eagles at the University Athletic Association of the Philippines was crowned Miss World Philippines 2017 at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City Monday morning.
Crowd favorite Laura Lehmann was chosen over 34 other girls for the title. She was crowned by outgoing
Miss World Philippines 2016 Catriona Gray and reigning Miss World Stephanie del Valle of Puerto Rico.
Lehmann will represent the Philippines in the Miss World 2017 beauty pageant in China on November 18. Now on its 66th year, the Miss World contest is the longest-running international beauty pageant.
Another crowd favorite, Kapuso star Teresita "Winwyn" Marquez, daughter of actress Alma Moreno, won the title of Reina Hispano-Americana Filipinas title. She will compete in the Reina Hispano-Americana contest in Bolivia.
Cynthia Tomallas was named Miss Eco Philippines; Sophia Senoron, Miss Multinational Philippines; Glyssa Perez, 1st Princess; and Zara Carbonell, 2nd Princess.
During the final question-andanswer portion of the pageant, Lehmann was asked: “There are people who believe pageants don’t provide the opportunity to empower women. What would you say to them?”
Lehmann answered: “To anyone who does not believe in pageants, I would ask them to take a look at the girls tonight because we have lawyers, architects, and women of substance who are here not only because of what they look like but because of what’s in their hearts, what’s in their mind, and because they’ve brought forth beauty with a purpose. They’re helping represent the Philippines and become the best version of the Filipina and for me that’s something to celebrate.”
Marquez was asked: “How can you convince the judges that you are worthy of becoming Miss World Philippines 2017?”
The actress answered: “I live a life of substance and meaning and that is through service. I uphold social awareness and I treasure empathy. I am here ready to give my whole self and to give a win-win situation to the organization, to the advocacy that I believe in. I will continue to live a beautiful life with determination and passion for my advocacy as well.”
The “fast-track” winners who automatically advanced to the Top 15 were Marquez, Beauty and Best in Talent; Glyssa Perez, Sports challenge; Thomalla, Top model; and Lehmann, Multimedia.
The rest of the semi-finalists were Zara Carbonell, Ella Lubag, Gabriela Ortega, Cristina Coloma, Hena Cajandig, Chelse Anne Manalo, Sheila Marie Reyes, Noelle Uy Tuazon, Jona Sweett, Sophia Senoron, and Janela Joy Cuaton.
Winners of special awards were Tomalla, Miss Photogenic, Best in Long Gown, and Ms. Blue Water Day Spa; Cuaton, Best Skin; Lehmann, Ms. Cosmo Skin and Ms. BYS; Marquez, Miss Bench Body and Miss Savoy Hotel Boracay; Petez, Ms. Fila; and Zalora People's Choice, Kathryn Cudiamat.
Lehmann described herself as a tomboy while growing up during which she played rugby and softball. She was a member of the Philippine Softball Team that placed second to the US in the World Series several years ago.
Her athletic career was put on hold when she accepted a scholarship from the Occidental College in California, the US, the same school where former US President Barrack Obama graduated. She also pursued psychology, neurological science and Spanish language abroad. The beauty-andbrains titleholder is also a product of exclusive and international schools.
In 2014, when Lehmann competed in the 2014 Bb. Pilipinas beauty contest and finished first runner-up. Coming from a family of Ateneans, she decided to enroll at the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City where she took up Psychology.
Lehmann, 23, is romantically linked to GlobalPort Batang Pier basketball guard Von Pessumal.
New crown
The new crown of Miss World Philippines was designed by Miss World 2013 Megan Lynne Young, the first Miss World titleholder from the Philippines.
"We're part of the team that finalized the crown so I'm really happy with the [outcome]. I think it symbolizes the Philippines in such a beautiful way," she said.
"The pearls are representing the Pearl of the Orient and the sapphires represent the seas around our country. We're a country full of islands. Those two specific traits of the crown really make it something different," said Young.
The Miss World Philippines 2017 contest was attended by Miss World Organization chairman Julia Morley and Chief Mandela, chief of the Royal House of Mandela and honorable member of the Parliament of South Africa.
Aside from reigning Miss World Stephanie del Valle of Puerto Rico, other titleholders in the entourage were Miss World Caribbean Yaritza Reyes, Dominican Republic; Miss World Asia Natasha Manuella, Indonesia; Miss World Americas Audra Mari, United States; Miss World Europe Lenty Frans, Belgium; Miss World Africa Evelyn Njambi, Kenya; Miss World Oceania Madeline Cowe, Australia; Mr. World Rohit Khandelwal, India; and Beauty With A Purpose officials Scott and Gina Holmes.