As quarantine restrictions rolled back to allow the gradual resumption of live events. The international pageant stage bounced back in full force. Philippine beauty queens pulled out all the stops to secure pageant crowns all over the globe. Resulting in one of the most stellar years in the Philippine pageant scene.
With a handful of titleholders kicking off their reigns this year. The Philippines gathers more momentum heading into another year of turning heads and burning runways. Here are all the bright spots by the Philippines’ international beauty pageant representatives this 2021.
Miss Aura International 2021 — Alexandra Faith Garcia
The audience in Turkey saw history take place as Alexandra Faith Garcia became the first Filipina representative to not only join the 15-year-old pageant but also go all the way to win Miss Aura International 2021.
Miss Intercontinental 2021 — Cinderella Faye Obeñita
On October 29, Cinderella Faye Obeñita bested 70 other candidates on her way to the country’s second Miss Intercontinental crown in Egypt. Befitting of her name, her Miss Intercontinental run was somewhat of a Cinderella story. Considering she was a wildcard candidate during the Binibining Pilipinas pageant before she was crowned Miss Intercontinental Philippines
Miss Globe 2021— Maureen Montagne
Just a week after Obeñita’s momentous victory. Another Filipina stunner brings home a title: Maureen Montagne, who bagged the Philippines’ third Miss Globe 2021 crown in Albania on November 5.Â
Not only did she take home the title, but Montagne also finished first runner-up in the People’s Choice, Miss Bikini, and Head to Head Challenge pre-pageant activities of the competition.
Miss Culture International 2021 — Samela Aubrey Godin
In another first for the Philippines, Samela Aubrey Godin won the Miss Culture International 2021 crown last December 5 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Aside from the crown, Godin also bagged the Best in Swimsuit as well as the Best in National Costume Award for her Philippine Eagle-inspired ensemble.
Miss Interglobal 2021 — Miriam Damoah
Her path to the crown may be unconventional. But she’s still ending the year with the title nonetheless: Miriam Damoah. Who originally placed first runner-up in the Miss Interglobal pageant on December 5. Ascended to the crown after Thailand’s representative, Nachita Jantana, relinquished the title.
The Miss Universe streak stays strong — Beatrice Luigi Gomez Finishes at the Top 5
Aside from a handful of titleholders, the world bore witness to some of the spectacular pageant finishes care of a Filipina as well. Last December 12. Beatrice Luigi Gomez almost snagged the Miss Universe crown after making it to the Top 5 of the competition.Â
Unfortunately, the Cebuana beauty bowed out after the Top 3 announcement. Not before wowing the audience with her answer to the Miss Universe 2016 Iris Mittenaere’s question about mandatory vaccine passports.
With her Top 5 finish, Gomez managed to keep the country’s 12-year semi-final streak in the Miss Universe alive.
Reina Hispanoamerica 2021 — Emmanuelle Vera Claims Third Runner-Up Title
Four years after the Philippines won its first Reina Hispanoamerica title, Emmanuelle Vera ended her run in the pageant with an impressive third runner-up finish.
Miss Eco International and Teen International 2021 – Kelley Day and Tatyana Austria Both Finish as First Runners-Up
Earlier this year, Kelley Day also brought pride to the Philippines after a spectacular podium finish at this year’s Miss Eco International 2021. Aside from a first runner-up finish, Day also clinched the Best National Costume award at the pageant’s preliminaries.
Tatyana Alexi Austria had the same fate when she also placed first runner-up in the Miss Eco Teen International 2021.
A tale of two Samanthas for Miss Grand International — Samantha Bernardo’s podium finish and Samantha Panlilio’s crowd-favorite campaign
It’s the year of the Samanthas! While their pageant endeavors ended differently, both Samanthas still amazed audiences all over with their wit and grace.
First, there was Samantha Bernardo, who was just one step away from winning the Philippines’ first-ever Miss Grand International title during the March 27 coronation night in Thailand.
Then, nine months later, Samantha Panlilio would snatch the hearts of many with her fierce Miss Grand International run which led to many believing she would win the whole thing. Unfortunately, Panlilio would end her campaign outside the Top 20, but not without serving the most spectacular looks on and off stage.
Postponed pageants — Tracy Maureen Perez for Miss World and Hannah Arnold for Miss International
Moving forward, the country now awaits the fate of two other beauty queens: Tracy Maureen Perez, whose supposed Miss World campaign this December was postponed amid COVID-19 concerns, and Hannah Arnold, the country’s bet to the Miss International pageant after winning this year’s Binibining Pilipinas.
The Miss World pageant has been moved to March of next year, while the organizers of the Miss International pageant have yet to reveal a new date for the event.
