Philippine’s Kylie Verzosa bested 68 other contestants to win the 2016 Miss International at Tokyo Dome City Hall in Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday.
The 24 year-old model is the sixth Filipina to bring home the Miss International crown.
Gemma Cruz was the country’s first Miss International winner when she took the crown in 1964, followed by Aurora Pijuan in 1970. Model-actress Melanie Marquez won the title in 1979. After a long wait, Precious Lara Quigaman won in 2005, while Bea Rose Santiago won in 2013.
Contestants from Australia, Indonesia, Nicaragua and United States finished as first, second, third and fourth runners-up, respectively.
Verzosa thanked all those who joined her in her journey. “I cannot believe this moment right now, and I am ecstatic and happy,” she said. “Thank you so much to my family, to the Philippines, to everyone who supported me. I did not go through this journey alone, but I had a lot of help from the people who love me. I deeply appreciate this. This moment has only happened in my dreams. Thank you so much, Japan. Thank you, Miss International.”
