Miss World PH 2014 Valerie Wiegmann: This is for the Philippines

Miss World 2013 Megan Young passing the crown to Miss World Philippines 2014 Valerie Weigmann (Photo from Weigmann’s Facebook page)

MANILA, Philippines – Newly-crowned Miss World Philippines 2014 Valerie Weigmann dedicated her triumph to the indigenous communities all over the country, as well as to the entire Philippines.

“It’s amazing. It’s a once in a lifetime experience. I am happy and blessed that I received this… and this is really dedicated to our indigenous brothers and sisters in the Philippines all over. So, I am really happy to show them and raise awareness about them.” Weigmann said after being crowned in this year’s Miss World Philippines last Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

“Para sa Pilipinas talaga ito. (This is for the Philippines.),” she added.

The Filipino-German beauty queen has been working with Musikaramay, an association dedicated to helping indigenous people, particularly the Aetas of Tarlac.

Weigmann earlier said she thought hard about joining the pageant, despite doing modeling and hosting. Working with her advocacy Musikaramay is truly what made her decide.

“For me it was a very big decision, of course. Because I was thinking it through over the years… actually of me experiencing modeling and showbiz at the same time,” she said.

The model and TV host said that she was not expecting to win at all even though she was an early favorite, winning the special award Miss World CamSur at the mini-pageant held in Camarines Sur last September, and Miss Swimsuit, Best in Fashion Runway, and Best in Long Gown during coronation night.

“I did not expect early that I am going to be the winner because you never know what is going to happen. Once you are in a contest, win or lose, you still gain the experience. So normally if I go in, I don’t want to set, to win,” Weigmann said.

“In the end, you think about the friendships you were making at the contest. It was really unexpected for me because I really did not want to focus winning because I want to experience it and enjoy the moment,” she added.

Completing the top five were 1st princess and Miss Sports Lorraine Kendrickson, 2nd princess and Miss Photogenic Nelda Ibe, 3rd princess Nicole Donesa, and 4th Princess Rachel Peters.

Other candidates who won special awards were Jean Marie Feliciano, Best in Talent and Kristine Estoque and Christine Balaguer, a tie in Miss Friendship.

Weigmann promised to do her best in contending for the Miss World title this December in London. She confessed that there is pressure to deliver a back-to-back title, with reigning Miss World 2013 Megan Young set to pass her crown.

“There is pressure. There is excitement…I am really looking forward for the challenge and I want to show my fellow countrymen that I can do it…that I can be the best I can be for everyone,” she said.

With report from Cyra Moraleda