Megan Young among the Philippines' beauty queens

MANILA, Philippines - Megan Young just made Philippine history by winning the crown at the Miss World 2013 held in Bali, Indonesia on Saturday, September 28.

The 23-year-old actress is the first Filipina to win the Miss World since the pageant’s inception in 1951.

The Philippines almost won the Miss World in 2011, when Gwendoline Ruais was named first runner-up. This was the year the Miss World-Philippines franchise broke away from Binibining Pilipinas and was awarded to Cory Quirino.

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In 1973, Evangeline Pascual finished first-runner up. Between Gwendoline and Evangeline, and prior to Megan’s historic win, the Miss World title was elusive to the Philippines. Ruffa Gutierrez is perhaps the fourth most successful Miss World-Philippines delegate, placing third during the 1993 pageant.

Because of Megan’s victory, the Philippines now has won at least one crown each from the world’s four largest beauty pageants. The country won the Miss Universe crown twice (Gloria Diaz in 1969 and Maria Margarita Moran in 1973) and the Miss Earth once (Karla Henry in 2008).

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In addition, the Philippines won the Miss International three times (Aurora Pijua in 1970, Melanie Marrquez in 1979, and Precious Lara Quigaman in 2005).

This year, the Philippines won the Miss Supranational title care of Mutya Johanna Datul. The nation awaits as Miss Universe-Philippines 2013 Ariella Arida and Bb. Pilipinas-International 2013 Bea Rose Santiago compete for the crown later this year.

Here are photos from the Miss World 2013 pageant in Bali, Indonesia (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati):