Alexie Brooks of the Philippines is Miss Eco International 2025

Newly crowned Miss Eco International Alexie Mae Brooks. Image: Facebook/Alexie Caimoso Brooks

The Philippines has cemented its status as a powerhouse country in the Miss Eco International pageant when Alexie Brooks posted the country’s third victory in the global competition’s 2025 edition held in Egypt on April 19 (April 20 in Manila).

She also made history as the first black woman to earn the title at the culmination of the ceremonies held at the AlZahraa Ballroom of Hilton Green Plaza in the port city of Alexandria.

Brooks inherited the crown from last year’s winner Angelina Usanova from Ukraine, and thwarted the European country’s back-to-back attempt. Usanova’s compatriot Yelyzaveta Adams finished third overall.

Indonesia’s Yulinarr Fitriani was first runner-up, while Cynthia Murillo from the United States was third runner-up. The United Kingdom’s Vitoria Inglis, whose parents trace roots in Ilocos and Pangasinan, rounded up the Final 5.

Brooks also scored for the Philippines a second consecutive win as “Best in National Costume” with her Philippine Eagle-inspired creation by Tata Blas Pinuela. Her predecessor, Chantal Schmidt, won the distinction in a Masskara-themed costume.

The Ilongga national athlete’s coronation follows the victories of Filipino queens Cynthia Thomalla in 2018 and Kathleen Paton in 2022. Three more from the Philippines finished second: Schmidt last year, Kelley Day in 2021, and Maureen Montagne in 2019.

Brooks took to social media the moment she was crowned and dedicated her victory to her late grandmother. “Lola! I made ittt [three crying emojis][crown emoji]” she wrote in her caption, with an image of her “Lola Basing” who passed away last year.

Her coronation also gives her pasarela coach CJ Opiaza, 2024 Miss Grand International first runner-up, a third victory this year. Aside from Brooks, Opiaza also trained 2025 Reina Hispanoamericana Dia Mate and 2025 Miss Grand Thailand Saranrat Puagpipat.

In an earlier interview, Brooks told INQUIRER.net, “I’m really hoping that I’m gonna be the third. I’m really excited that, just the fact that we had a training together, I felt more confident. I felt more ready knowing that a fellow queen helped a fellow queen. That’s woman empowerment. So I’m really happy. And I hope I get the crown.”