BEA ROSE SANTIAGO IS MISS INTERNATIONAL 2013!
Masbate beauty thanks the world for helping the Philippines in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda
Bea Rose Santiago, the dazzling 5’9” beauty from Cataingan, Masbate bagged the top prize at the 53rd Miss International pageant held December 17 at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel Hall in Tokyo, Japan. Bea has won the fifth Miss International title for the Philippines.
Since leaving for Japan early this month, Bea had been very busy with the different pre-pageant activities. Upon her arrival, Bea and the other candidates toured Hakone, a designated geopark by UNESCO; Asakusa, a district in Tokyo famous for the Sensō-ji Buddhist temple; the Imperial Palace, and the Meiji-Jingu Shrine.
Bea has also experienced the different cultural activities Japan had to offer, such as the ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement; the Sakura traditional dance; and the Japanese tea ceremony. Bea even found the time to meet with President Benigno Aquino III when the latter went to meet with the Filipino community in Japan.
In its official statement, the Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. expressed its heartfelt congratulations for Bea’s victory.
“The Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. is ecstatic over the victory of Miss International 2013 Bea Rose Santiago. Bea showcased the Filipina’s innate beauty, grace, and elegance in a worldwide audience and brought immense honor to the country. This is the fifth Miss International crown for the Philippines, and this caps off an impressive year for Binibining Pilipinas Gold.
‘Thank you, President Benigno Aquino III, for wishing Bea luck in the pageant. We think this served as Bea’s lucky charm. Congratulations, Bea. Thank you for giving the Philippines a wonderful Christmas gift,’ says Madame Stella Marquez Araneta, Chairperson of the Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc.
It is indeed a golden year for Binibining Pilipinas, and a milestone year for Filipina beauty.
Congratulations, Bea! We eagerly await your arrival. We are so proud of you!”
Bea captured the crown after she answered the question “What will you do if you win the crown?” in the final round. Her winning answer was:
“The whole world saw how my country suffered. One by one, the other countries helped. I would like to thank those who helped my country in our darkest hours. You have opened my heart and eyes on what we can do to help each other. I will work to sustain the spirit of sympathy and spirit of hope. If I become Miss International, I would uphold international camaraderie. I will work to sustain the spirit of sympathy and spirit of hope. As long as we work together, there is hope.”
The Miss International 2013 pageant was held at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel in Tokyo, Japan. This is the 53rd edition of the Miss International pageant, and was participated in by 67 countries. Following Bea are 1st runner up Nathalie den Dekker of the Netherlands, and 2nd runner up Casey Radley of New Zealand. Lorena Hermida of Colombia and Brigitta Ötvős of Hungary completed the top 5.
Rounding up the semifinalists were Jamielee Randall of Gibraltar, Cristina Alves da Silva of Brazil, Ashley Beth Perez Calderon of Puerto Rico, Nathaly Arroba Hurtado of Ecuador, Elma Segzdaviciute of Lithuania, Sigrún Eva Ármannsdóttir of Iceland, Olga Gaidabura of Russia, Chonticha Tiengtham of Thailand, and Araceli Carrilero Martinez of Spain.
The country’s five Miss International crowns were won by Gemma Cruz in 1964, Aurora Pijuan in 1970, Melanie Marquez in 1979, Precious Lara Quigaman in 2005, and now Bea Rose Santiago in 2013.
Bea’s impressive victory caps off an impressive year for Binibining Pilipinas Gold, following Mutya Johanna Datul’s Miss Supranational 2013 victory last September, Cindy Miranda’s Top 10 finish in the Miss Tourism Queen International 2013 pageant in October, and Ariella Arida’s 3rd runner up place in Miss Universe 2013.
For more news on Binibining Pilipinas, visit www.bbpilipinas.com and the Binibining Pilipinas official Facebook page www.facebook.com/realbbpilipinas.
