MANILA (Updated) -- Kylie Verzosa, the Philippines' bet to this year's Miss International, bagged the crown in the pageant held Thursday, October 27, at the Tokyo Dome City Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
Verzosa, a 24-year-old pre-school teacher from Baguio City, bested 68 entrants from countries around the world.
She succeeded last year's titleholder Edymar Martinez of Venezuela.
In her final speech, Verzosa said that if she will win in the competition, she vowed to promote education and cultural diversity.
"If I become Miss International 2016, I will devote myself to cultural understanding and international understanding because I believe, that it is in developing each of us sensitivity to other cultures that we expand our horizons, tolerate difference and appreciate diversity," she said.
"All these enable us to achieve international understanding. And I believe I am prepared to take on this responsibility," she added.
Other pageant winners were Australia's Alexandra Britton as first runner-up; Indonesia's Felicia Hwang, second runner-up; Nicaragua's Brianny Chamorro, third runner-up; and United State's Kaityrana Leinbach, fourth runner-up.
Completing the Top 15 are entrants from Finland, Mexico, Japan, El Salvador, Canada, Dominican Republic, Argentina, Russia, Thailand, and Poland.
Prior to her win, Verzosa had the opportunity to personally meet President Rodrigo Duterte, who is also in Japan for an official visit.
Verzosa said she felt she was the luckiest person after meeting the President.
"President Duterte at his state visit to Japan, felt at home with all the Filipinos. Thank you for all your good energy, thank you to everyone who made this possible," she said.
Verzosa was crowned Binibining Pilipinas International in April this year. (Sunnex)
