Philippines’ Cindy Obeñita was named Miss Intercontinental 2021 today (Manila time).
The 25-year-old Tourism Operations Officer from Cagayan de Oro defeated over 70 candidates in the competition held in Egypt.
Following her are delegates of Mexico, England, Seychelles, Canada, and Colombia, who bagged the 1st runner-up to 5th runner-up titles, respectively.
Cindy is the second Filipino who took home the crown, following Karen Gallman's historical win in 2019.
Note that the closest the Philippines got to winning the title, prior to Karen, was when Christi Lynn McGarry and Katarina Rodriguez finished first runner-ups in 2015 and 2018, respectively.
Meanwhile, this is how Cindy slayed the Q&A portion.
She was asked: "As an international ambassador, do you believe that speaking English is important for Miss Intercontinental, why or why not?"
And she answered: "As an ambassador, I don't think that's speaking is specific language is very important here in Miss Intercontinental or any pageant at all; as long as that woman is a woman of power and grace, commitment, and intelligence - no matter what language you speaks - and that woman is actually a woman of style and substance, then she can win any pageant or any endeavor that she's into. Also, it's very important - I have learned here, actually in Miss Intercontinental - that a woman should be or should possess power of substance and I believe I am that woman."
"That we're living in the world wherein it's very hard to survive. And as Miss Intercontinental I would like to be that source of hope, that source of inspiration and true power of beauty, and that is felt on the kindness of our hearts and definitely on the sincerity of our loving actions."
Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Incorporated (BPCI) was quick to congratulate Cindy on her latest milestone.
"From wildcard to Miss Intercontinental 2021! Your Cinderella story is truly inspiring," they wrote on Instagram.
"Thank you for raising our flag, Cindy! Good morning, Pilipinas from our new Miss Intercontinental!"
They also noted how the organization as with BPCI's Stella Marquez Araneta are proud of Cindy's accomplishment.
"Form a Binibini who won the hearts of many Filipino fans, she impressed the whole world with her grace and charm throughout her pageant performance in Egypt," they said. "We can't wait to welcome back our latest international pride here in the country!"