Mary Jean Lastimosa crowned as Bb. Pilipinas-Universe

Photo: Facebook Page of Mary Jean Lastimosa

The most beautiful woman in the Philippines has been crowned anew—she is Mary Jean Lastimosa, the 26-year-old, Davao-based entrepreneur.

Already a crowd-favorite at the start of the Coronation night on Sunday, March 30, Lastimosa bested 39 other candidates to earn the right to represent the country in the next Miss Universe pageant.

After the impressive finish of the country in various international beauty pageants last year, expectations are high for the newly-crowned North Cotabato beauty.

But based from her performance in the Coronation night, she seemed prepared for the challenge. Apart from exemplifying class and elegance on stage, she also showed how spontaneous she can be in answering questions.

Reigning Miss Universe Gabriela Isler’s question to her was: “What is the greatest advantage of being a woman?”

She answered with conviction: “The greatest advantage of being a woman is being able to compose ourselves. Just like here, we’re standing in front of thousands of people not knowing if they’re gonna cheer for us. But we try to compose ourselves, we keep the emotions and show the beauty that is in us. And tonight, thousands of people are here, celebrating the beauty of a woman.”

Lastimosa’s fellow winners include Bianca Guidotti as Miss International, Parul Shah as Miss Tourism, Kris Tiffany Janson as Miss Intercontinental and Yvethe Santiago as Miss Supranational.

The event was hosted by Anne Curtis and Xian Lim.

TOP 15 (In no particular order)

Bb 11 Laura Lehmann
Bb 1 Julian Aurine Flores
Bb 22 Mary Anne Bianca Guidotti
Bb 3 Joanna Romero
Bb 25 Mary Jean Lastimosa
Bb 8 Pia Wurtzbach
Bb 4 Parul Shah
Bb 23 Nichole Marie Manalo
Bb 16 Zahara Soriano
Bb 35 Yvethe Marie Santiago
Bb 14 Emma Mary Tiglao
Bb 20 Kenneth Santiago
Bb 13 Kris Tiffany Janson
Bb 27 Hannah Sison
Bb 19 Mae Liezel Ramos

MINOR WINNERS

Miss Philippines Airlines: Pia Wurtzbach
Miss Cream Silk: Yvethe Santiago
She’s so Jag 2014: Pia Wurtzbach
Best in Swimsuit: Mary Jean Lastimosa
Best in Long Gown: Bianca Guidotti
Miss Talent: Gabrielle Tilokani
Miss Photogenic: Kris Tiffany Janson
Miss Friendship: Raquel Kabigting
Manila Bulletin’s Readers’ Choice Award: Ladylyne Riva
Miss Avon: Yvethe Santiago
Best in National Costume: Kris Tiffany Janson