PH bet wins Miss Tourism World Intercontinental 2019 beauty pageant

Another win for the Philippines!

After Filipino-Australian Catriona Gray won as Miss Universe 2018 last month, another Filipina has conquered an international pageant. Francesca Taruc was crowned Miss Tourism World Intercontinental 2019 last night in Nanjing, China.

The Tatarstan and Ukraine representatives won first and second runner-up, respectively.

Taruc, based in Angeles, Pampanga, also received a special award for “Best Body” during the preliminary rounds.

In an Instagram post she shared on Saturday, Taruc said: “Last night, I was awarded ‘Best Body’ at the Preliminary round and I still cant believe it… We can do this! Let’s fight, Philippines!”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

January 5 2018: Last night, I was awarded “Best Body” at the Preliminary round and I still cant believe it. All Glory to You, Lord!!! Two more days and it’s coronation day!!! Kaya natin to! Laban Pilipinas!! 👗 @mich_viray #Misstourismworldintercontinental #Philippines

A post shared by Francesca Taruc 🇵🇭 (@francescataruc) on Jan 5, 2019 at 9:21pm PST

Taruc graduated with a degree in Mass Communication at Holy Angel University in Pampanga. And it looks like she is a beauty queen through and through; check out the yearbook photo she tweeted in November.

“YO QUEEN JUST GRADUATED!!” she exclaimed.

https://twitter.com/FrancescaTaruc/status/1063024395659153408

The 20-year-old beauty queen also represented the Philippines in Miss Freedom of the World 2018 at Kosovo in July last year.

A day before the Miss Tourism World Intercontinental competition, she asked supporters to pray for her as she tries her best to win the crown.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Mabuhay! BUKAS NA PO!!! January 8 2019 will be the coronation night of Miss Tourism World 2019 Intercontinental Final to be held in Nanjing, China! I will do my best and hoping to bring home the crown! Please pray for me 🙏🏻 Will be coming home on January 10 2019! I’m excited to see you all! Laban Pilipinas! 📸 Alex B. Añonuevo & Brian Ordonez 👗 Mich Viray & Rich Sabinian 💄 Richard Strandz Miss Tourism World 2019 Intercontinental Final #Philippines #Misstourismworld

A post shared by Francesca Taruc 🇵🇭 (@francescataruc) on Jan 7, 2019 at 6:13am PST

In the West, beauty pageants are increasingly seen as sexist and regressive, but in the Philippines, winning one remains a source of pride for many Filipino women and their supporters.

READ: What happens when a Filipino wins an international beauty pageant?

Taruc will be heading back to Manila tomorrow.