Russia wins Miss Intercontinental crown; PH bet is 4th runner-up
The Philippines has sustained its placement streak in the Miss Intercontinental pageant, extending it to 12 consecutive editions, when Christina Vanhefflin finished fifth overall in the recently-concluded competition.
The Mutya ng Pilipinas titleholder from Leyte was proclaimed fourth runner-up in ceremonies held in the coastal destination of Sahl Hasheesh in Egypt on Jan. 29 (30 in Manila).
Vanhefflin zoomed her way into the final round of the competition courtesy of her “Power of Beauty” award. It was also the first time in the pageant history that a country claimed the special title for two consecutive years.
Her Mutya ng Pilipinas predecessor Alyssa Redondo was the first Filipino woman to receive the award. She finished as second runner-up in the 2024 pageant that was also held in Egypt.
In the recently-concluded competition, Miss Intercontinental Europe and Miss Photogenic Varvara Yakovenko of Russia bested more than 50 delegates to inherit the title from 2024 winner Maria Cepero of Puerto Rico.
She committed a faux pas during the Top 23 interview round when she mistakenly mentioned “Miss Universe” when asked why she should be crowned Miss Intercontinental.
Miss Intercontinental North America Lorena Suarez Lara from Cuba settled for the first runner-up spot, while Miss Intercontinental Asia and Oceania Vanessa Wenk from Thailand was second runner-up.
Tanzania’s Faidah Kassim, who entered the finals through her People’s Choice award, was proclaimed as third runner-up. South America bet Cristiane Guerrero Marques das from Ecuador was fifth runner-up.
Miss Intercontinental Africa and Best in Swimsuit Brilliant Mukanda Marko rounded up the winners’ circle as sixth runner-up.
The Philippines has posted two victories at the international pageant courtesy of Binibining Pilipinas queens Karen Gallman in 2018 and Cinderella Faye Obeñita in 2021. The country’s uninterrupted placement started in 2013 with Mutya ng Pilipinas Koreen Medina’s third runner-up finish.
