The Philippines’ bet Maria Divine Angela Veranga bagged the first runner-up title in the Jewel of the World 2019 pageant.
Miss Philippines Divine Veranga also won special awards as Darlings of the Press First Runner-Up and Best in Cultural Costume First Runner-Up.
Just like the national costume of reigning Miss Universe Catriona Gray, Veranga’s cultural costume “Urduja” was designed by Don Cristobal. The winning costume depicts the three major island groups of the Philippines. The brave persona of the warrior Princess Urduja (Legend from Pangasinan) represent Luzon, tattoo marks from the Pintados warriors of Visayas, and her headpiece and accessories symbolized Mindanao.
On coronation night held May 14 at the GT-Toyota Asian Cultural Center of the Philippines in Diliman, Veranga shined among 17 candidates from all over the world and emerged first runner-up.
The Jewel of the World 2019 Final Results:
Winner – Chontida Chatsirichai, Thailand
1st Runner Up – Maria Divine Angela Veranga, Philippines
2nd Runner Up – Huli Xie, China
3rd Runner Up – Susy Sacoto, Ecuador
4th Runner Up – Kayla Maloney, South Africa
Veranga went on social media to thank everyone who helped her in pageant journey and dedicated her triumph to the country.
The Paranaque beauty posted, “I was given a chance to proudly carry our flag and have our country’s name on my chest. It was a long journey, and I had a difficult road to tread on but I never gave up. I never gave up the dream to someday say ‘Philippines!’ and to make my country proud. I am happy and content with what I achieved and shall forever be grateful to the people who were beside me along my journey.”
In a separate social media post, the Filipina beauty queen emphasized beauty in diversity in line with the cultural pageant theme of Jewel of the World that is inspired from the UN General Assembly declaration of May 21 as the international celebration of the World Day for Cultural Diversity.
“We look different, we sound different, we act different, but at the end of the day, these differences are our strength, these differences are what makes our world beautiful, these differences are worth celebrating,” Veranga shared.
Send your cheers in the comments section below for Divine Veranga, raising the national flag on Jewel of the World!
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