For Maureen Montagne, time is right for another Filipino to win The Miss Globe crown

The Miss Globe 2021 Maureen Montagne. Image: INQUIRER.net/Armin P. Adina

Since Ann Lorraine Colis won the title at The Miss Globe pageant in 2015, the Philippines has consistently garnered placements. But after her, only Maureen Montagne brought the crown back to the country in 2021.

Montagne, who has had a colorful pageant “career” in both the Philippines and the United States before finally clinching her international crown, said the time is just right for Binibining Pilipinas Jasmin Bungay to be proclaimed winner in this year’s The Miss Globe pageant.

“I’m so excited for Jasmin. I think enough time has passed where the Philippines can win again,” the American-Filipino model and host told INQUIRER.net on the sidelines of a global beauty brand’s event held on Oct. 7.

Bungay is currently in Tirana, Albania, where the 2024 edition of The Miss Globe pageant is taking place, competing against more than 40 delegates from around the globe.

Not only is the Kapampangan overseas Filipino worker aiming to sustain the Philippines’ placement streak in the international competition, she is also hoping to become the fourth winner from the Philippines in the global tilt’s various iterations.

Maricar Balagtas won the title in an earlier version of the contest, and was proclaimed Miss Globe in 2001. Under its current iteration as organized by Deliart Association, the Philippines is tied with host country Albania as the most successful countries with two winners each.

Bungay is currently riding on the wave of good fortune that she has enjoyed since embarking on her journey in the 60th Bb. Pilipinas pageant.

She won two luxury hand bags at an auxiliary activity, one in a raffle draw, and another for topping the question segment. She also broke the “Gloria Diaz curse” by winning a crown despite picking the 1969 Miss Universe titleholder to ask her during the final round, a fate so different from the others who came across the senior beauty queen.

But luck alone will not win her a crown; Bungay also has skills in her arsenal. “Her pasarela (pageant walk) is amazing, so I’m hoping for the best. Good luck, Jasmin. I know you can do it,” Montagne said.

Reigning queen Manvin Khera from Malaysia will relinquish her title to her eventual successor, who will be proclaimed at the culmination of the final competition on Oct. 15 (Oct. 16 in Manila).