Sportscaster crowned Miss World Philippines 2017

A former courtside reporter for the Ateneo Blue Eagles at the University Athletic Association of the Philippines was crowned Miss World Philippines 2017 during a glitzy televised pageant held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City last September 3.

Crowd favorite Laura Lehmann beat out 34 other girls for the prestigious title, whose contest is now under the helm of talent manager Arnold Vegafria. She was crowned by outgoing Miss World Philippines 2016 Catriona Gray and reigning Miss World Stephanie del Valle of Puerto Rico.

Lehmann will represent the Philippines at the Miss World 2017 beauty pageant in China on November 18. Now on its 66th year, the Miss World contest is the longest-running beauty pageant in history.

Another crowd favorite Kapuso star Teresita Ssen "Winwyn" Marquez, daughter of actress Alma Moreno and comedian Joey Marquez, bagged the Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas title. She will compete in the Reina Hispanoamericana contest in Bolivia.

Other winners were: Cynthia Tomalla, Miss Eco Philippines; Sophia Senoron, Miss Multinational Philippines; Glyssa Perez, 1st Princess; and Zara Carbonell, 2nd Princess.

During the final question-and-answer portion of the pageant, the Filipino-German beauty was asked: "There are people who believe pageants don’t provide the opportunity to empower women. What would you say to them?"

Lehmann answered: "To anyone who don’t believe in pageants, I would ask them to take a look at the girls tonight because we have lawyers, architects, women of substance who are here not only because of what they look like but because of what’s in their hearts, what’s in their mind, and because what they’ve brought forth beauty with a purpose. they’re helping represent the Philippines and become the best version of the Filipina and for me that’s something only to celebrate."

Marquez was asked: "How can you convince the judges that you are worthy of becoming Miss World Philippines 2017?"

The actress answered: "I live a life of substance and meaning and that is through service. I uphold social awareness and I treasure empathy. I am here ready to give my whole self and to give a win win situation to the organization to the advocacy that I believe in. I will continue to live a beautiful life with determine and passion for my advocacy as well."

* Fast-track winners

The fast-track winners who automatically advanced to the Top 15 were Marquez, Beauty beauty and Best in talent; Glyssa Perez, Sports challenge; Thomalla, Top model; and Lehmann, Multimedia.

The rest of the semi-finalists were Zara Carbonell, Ella Lubag, Gabriela Ortega, Cristina Coloma, Hena Cajandig, Chelse Anne Manalo, Sheila Marie Reyes, Noelle Uy-Tuazon, Jona Sweett, Sophia Senoron and Janela Joy Cuaton.

Winners of special awards were Tomalla, Miss Photogenic, Best In Long Gown, and Ms Blue Water Day Spa; Cuaton, Best Skin; Lehmann, Ms Cosmo Skin and Ms BYS; Marquez, Miss Bench Body and Miss Savoy Hotel Boracay; Petez, Ms Fila; and Zalora People's Choice Kathryn Cudiamat.

* Sports and pageants

Lehmann described herself as a tomboy while growing up as she played rugby and softball. Her biggest achievement in sports so far was when she became a member of the Philippine Softball Team that placed second to the US in the World Series several years ago.

But her athletic career was put on hold when she accepted a scholarship from the Occidental College in the US, the same school where former US President Barrack Obama graduated. She also pursued psychology, neurological science and Spanish abroad. The beauty and brains titleholder is also a product of exclusive and international schools.

It was in 2014 when Lehmann competed in the Bb. Pilipinas beauty contest and finished first runner-up. Coming from a family of Ateneans, she later decided to enroll at the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City where she took up Psychology.

Reports said that Lehmann wanted to compete again in the Bb. Pilipinas pageant but she decided to try in Miss World Philippines contest this time.

Lehmann, 23, is romantically linked to basketball player Von Pessumal of the GlobalPort Batang Pier.

* New crown

The new crown of Miss World Philippines was designed by Miss World 2013 Megan Lynne Young, the country's first Miss World titleholder from the Philippines.

"We're part of the team that finalized the crown so I'm really happy with  the [outcome]. I think it symbolizes the Philippines in such a beautiful  way," she said.

"The pearls are representing the Pearl of the Orient and the sapphires  representing the seas around our country. We're a country full of islands.  Those two specific traits of the crown really make it something different," said Young.

The Miss World Philippines 2017 contest was attended by Miss World Organization chairman Julia Morley and Chief Mandela, chief of the Royal House of Mandela and honorable member of the Parliament of South.

Aside from reigning Miss World Stephanie del Valle of Puerto Rico, other titleholders in the entourage were Miss World Caribbean Yaritza Reyes, Dominican Republic; Miss World Asia Natasha Manuella, Indonesia; Miss World Americas Audra Mari, United States; Miss World Europe Lenty Frans, Belgium; Miss World Africa Evelyn Njambi, Kenya; Miss World Oceania Madeline Cowe, Australia; Mr. World Rohit Khandelwal, India; and Beauty With A Purpose officials Scott and Gina Holmes. - ROBERT REQUINTINA