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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Celebrities devider Christina Vanhefflin of Leyte seeks third Miss Intercontinental crown for PH in Egypt

Christina Vanhefflin of Leyte seeks third Miss Intercontinental crown for PH in Egypt

Published Jan 17, 2026 07:46 am
Leyteña beauty queen Christina Labanero Vanhefflin left the Philippines yesterday to represent the country at the 53rd Miss Intercontinental pageant, scheduled for Jan. 29 in Sahl Hasheesh, Egypt.
Beauty queen Christina Labanero Vanhefflin is half-Filipina, half-British
Beauty queen Christina Labanero Vanhefflin is half-Filipina, half-British
The 20-year old Christina earned the right to represent the Philippines after being crowned Mutya ng Pilipinas-Intercontinental 2025. She succeeded Alyssa Redondo, who finished as second runner-up at Miss Intercontinental 2024 and will be one of the judges in the finals in Egypt.
Before reaching the national stage, Christina finished first runner-up in Mutya han Samar 2025 and currently holds the Miss Leyte Liberation 2025 title, awarded during the annual commemoration of the Leyte Gulf Landings. As a fresh face in Philippine pageantry, her facial features have been described by observers as bearing a resemblance to Ariana Grande, Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, and even Ivana Alawi.
At her send-off media conference, Christina admitted she is feeling nervous ahead of the competition, noting that the trip marks her first time travelling internationally outside the Philippines.
“Honestly, real talk, I’m actually quite nervous,” she said. “I don’t really know what to expect. But I know that if I enjoy every step, even travelling, I’ll be able to go through it with peace of mind.”
She added that she is choosing to focus on gratitude rather than pressure. “At the end of the day, I’m always grateful for being given the chance to share my story and for the people who gave me this opportunity,” she said.
Christina's preparation for Egypt has included familiarizing herself with the host country. “I’ve been learning about Egypt, and I’ve also been trying to learn the language,” she stated. “I’m excited about the activities, like the Jeep safari. I think it will be adventurous.”
She hopes to use the Miss Intercontinental stage to speak about mental health, an advocacy rooted in her personal experience. She revealed that she was diagnosed with major depressive disorder last year.
Christina Labanero Vanhefflin (middle) with fellow Mutya ng Pilipinas queens and Mutya President Cory Quirino during her send-off conference
Christina Labanero Vanhefflin (middle) with fellow Mutya ng Pilipinas queens and Mutya President Cory Quirino during her send-off conference
“For me, this is a platform to better myself and also to share my story, I’ve been through depression, and I want to be able to showcase more about that, how you can cope and still move forward," she added.
Christina believes that authenticity is central to pageantry. “A true queen has a genuine and kind heart. If ever I become Miss Intercontinental, I want to show what a true queen really is. That, for me, is the real power of beauty," she pointed out.
Asked about the pressure of following strong Philippine performances in recent editions, she acknowledged the weight of expectations, especially as a first-time international contestant. “I do feel pressure,” she admitted, “but seeing the support from everyone really helps ease that.”
She is currently undergoing intensive training for pasarela and stage presence under mentor Roger Flores. “We’ve been training nonstop,” she said. “Even when I was in Tacloban, we did online sessions. Watching my videos really helped me improve.”
Mutya ng Pilipinas president Cory Quirino told Christina to "imagine the crown already in your head. You've got to visualize it, but before you visualize it, you have to want it in your heart. More than any candidate competing in Miss Intercontinental, you must claim the crown. Okay? It's yours if you want it."
Miss Intercontinental, established in 1971, is one of the world’s longest-running international beauty pageants. The competition brings together candidates from different regions to vie not only for the main crown, but also for continental titles representing Africa, Asia and Oceania, Europe, North America, and South America, as well as special awards like the “Power of Beauty” and “People’s Choice.”
The Philippines joined the pageant in 1981 and has since produced two winners - Karen Gallman (2018) and Cinderella Obeñita (2021), along with five runners-up, including Alyssa Redondo in 2024.
As reigning queen María Cepero of Puerto Rico prepares to crown her successor in Egypt, Christina echoes hope: “I know that I’m strong,” she said. “And I know I can stand on that international stage as a strong Filipina with a strong heart.”
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