MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines' bet Joanna Camelle Mercado was crowned Miss United Continents 2022 in a pageant held on August 7 in Ecuador.
Mercado is the second Filipina to win the crown after Jeslyn Santos won the country's first Miss United Continents title in 2016.
On her Instagram account, Mercado said it was an honor to represent the country in the international pageant as she thanked Santos.
“Philippines! It has been my great honor to carry you across my chest. I am ecstatic and gasping for words as I jot this,” she said.
“I will start by thanking the King of all Kings! I owe you everything. My Miss United Continents Philippines Organization headed by ate @jeslyn_santos , thank you from my innermost being. This won't happen without your trust in me. Kinaya ko nga!” she added.
The Filipina beauty queen bested 24 other candidates in the Latina-dominated pageant.
The pageant was initially called as Miss American Continent in 2006 with candidates from North, Central and South American countries. Organizers renamed the pageant to Miss United Continents in 2013 after it welcomed candidates from all over the world.
With Mercado's win, the Philippines is now the most successful country in the pageant's history by winning two crowns.
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