Two Filipino beauty queens won major special awards in international pageants – Miss World 2017 and Miss Scuba International 2017 – held in China and in Malaysia respectively last Saturday night.
At the Miss World 2017 pageant held in Sanya, Laura Lehmann won Beauty with a Purpose award, along with candidates from India, Indonesia, South Africa and Vietnam.
Lehmann, a student of the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City, became the first Filipino to win the major special award since it was first established in 2001.
The Beauty With A Purpose is an event established by the Miss World Organization which gives award to contestants with the most relevant charity program in her country.
Lehmann’s project is a milk bank for the pediatric ward for the Jose Reyes Hospital in Manila.
Earlier in the pageant, the former sportscaster for the University Athletic Association of the Philippines fast-tracked to Top 40 when she also won in the head-to-head debate challenge.
Lehmann, however, failed to advance to the Top 15 semi-finals. India’s Manushi Chhillar was crowned Miss World 2017.
A total of 118 contestants joined the 67th Miss World beauty contest.
In Kota Kinabalu, Sherlyn Legaspi Doloriel won Miss Photogenic at the Miss Scuba International 2017 pageant.
Doloriel also made it to the Top 5 of the contest which aims to help preserve and protect the ocean.
Miss USA Brittany Anne Novick won the pageant for scuba divers.
Last Friday, Mary Ann Mungcal of Pampanga finished in the Top 20 of the Miss Global pageant held in Cambodia. Miss Brazil won the beauty contest.
Two more Filipino beauty queens will see action on the international pageant scene toward the end of November.
On Nov. 26 (Nov. 27 Manila time), Rachel Peters will compete in the 66th Miss Universe beauty contest in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Ninety-three contestants will vie for the title of 2017 Miss Universe, so far the biggest in terms of number of delegates for the prestigious contest.
On Nov. 29, Ilene Astrid de Vera will represent the Philippines in the Miss Asia Pacific International 2017 pageant which will be held at the Resorts World Manila in Pasay City.
