Miss International 2013 Bea Rose Santiago of the Philippines received warmth kisses from her runners up. From left, Netherlands, Nathalie den Dekker, 1st runner up and New Zealand, Casey Radley (right).
Miss International 2013 Bea Rose Santiago of the Philippines (center) is flanked by 1st runner-up Netherlands, Nathalie den Dekker (left) and 2nd runner-up New Zealand, Casey Radley (right)
Tokyo, Japan - 23 year-old Bea Rose Santiago from Cataingan, Masbate province in the Philippines beats 66 other lovely contestants from around the world to win the 53rd Miss International in a glittering ceremony held at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel Hall in Tokyo, Japan Tuesday night, December 17. She was the 5th Filipina to be crowned Miss International and the last time Philippines won the crown was in 2005 with Precious Lara Quigaman. She was crowned by Miss International 2008 Alejandra Andreu of Spain because the reigning Miss International 2012 Ikumi Yoshimatsu, Japan's first Miss International was barred from attending the event due to her involvement in a scandal where a media executive Genichi Taniguchi allegedly harassed and intimidated Ms. Yoshimatsu for not signing on to a talent agency with ties to the Japanese Yakuza or underworld facing death threats from her alleged stalker. This was the first time that the reigning Miss International could not crown her successor due to immediate concerns. She was touted by many as having the resemblance of Amelia Vega from Dominican Republic, who ten years ago won Miss Universe 2003 in Panama. 1st runner up is Netherlands, Nathalie den Dekker who also competed at the Miss Universe 2012 and 2nd runner up is New Zealand Casey Radley and also Miss Philippines room mate. Rounding up the Top 5 finalists were Colombia, Lorena Hermida and Hungary Brigitta Otvos. The rest of the semifinalists were Brazil, Ecuador, Gibraltar, Iceland, Lithuania, Russia, Puerto Rico, Spain, Thailand and USA. Miss Photogenic went to Lithuania, Elma Segzdaviciute, Best in National Costume went to Aruba, Erialda Croes, Miss Friendship was New Zealand, Casey Radley and Miss Internet went to Macau, Adela Ka-wai Sou.
Philippines winning answer: "The whole world saw how my country, the Philippines suffered. The agony of my people was felt. But one by one, country to country came to help. I would like to thank all the nations that helped my country in our darkest hours. You have opened my eyes and my heart and how important it is if we all just support each other. If I become Miss International, I will uphold international camaraderie to sustain the spirit for sympathy and to continually share the message of hope. I believe that whatever calamities may come to us as long as we have each other, there will be hope. "
Photo Source:
Miss International Inc. LP., LLP
Rappler
