India's Manushi Chhillar crowned Miss World 2017 in China

Manushi Chhillar

Representing India, Manushi Chhillar, 20, was crowned Miss World 2017 on November 18, 2017 at Sanya City Arena in Sanya, China. She bested 117 other candidates from around the world and became the successor of Miss World 2016 Stephanie Del Valle of Puerto Rico.

Born to doctor parents, Chhillar is a medical student. She is also a model and a trained Kuchipudi dancer.

Chhillar is the sixth Miss World from India. She followed the footsteps of Reita Faria, Aishwarya Rai, Diana Hayden, Yukta Mookhey and Priyanka Chopra, who won the crown in 1966, 1994, 1997, 1999 and 2000, respectively.

Three years after becoming Miss World 2000, Chopra made her debut in Bollywood films starring in “The Hero: Love Story of a Spy” opposite Sunny Deol and Preity Zinta. Recently, Chopra made her debut in Hollywood films starring in “Baywatch” with Jon Bass, Kelly Rohrbach, Alexandra Daddario, Zac Efron and Dwayne Johnson.

It has yet to be seen if Chhillar is set to follow Chopra’s career as an actress. Aside from the Miss World 2017 crown, Chhillar was also one of the five Beauty with a Purpose challenge winners along with Miss Philippines Laura Lehmann, Miss Vietnam Do My Linh, Miss Indonesia Achintya Holte Nilsen and Miss South Africa Ade van Heerden.

Runner-up to Chhillar was Miss Mexico Andrea Meza. Miss England Stephanie Hill was second runner-up.

Philippines' Kylie Versoza crowns Indonesia's Kevin Lilliana as Miss International 2017 in Tokyo, Japan

Kylie Versoza, Kevin Lilliana

Kevin Lilliana, 21, of Indonesia won the Miss International 2017 crown on November 14, 2017 in Tokyo, Japan. She bested 70 other candidates who were vying to become the successor of Miss International 2016 Kylie Versoza, 26, of the Philippines.

This makes Lilliana the first Miss Indonesia to win a crown at one of the big four beauty pageants namely Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss International and Miss Earth. The most international beauty pageant winner from Indonesia prior to Lilliana was Miss Grand International 2016 Ariska Putri Pertiwi.

On March 31, 2017, Lilliana placed as first runner-up at Puteri Indonesia 2017, which made her Miss International Indonesia 2017. She represented West Java.

Aside from winning the Miss International 2017 crown, Lilliana also won the Best Dresser award. Miss National Costume and Miss Perfect Body were given to Miss Japan Natsui Tsutsui and Miss Australia Amber Dew, respectively.

Tsutsui was fifth runner-up while Dew was fourth runner-up. Miss Venezuela Diana Croce and Miss Curacao Chanelle De Lau were second runner-up and first runner-up, respectively.

Lilliana studied interior design at Maranatha Christian University in Bandung, West Java. Before becoming a beauty queen, she was a model.

Philippines’ Winwyn Marquez is Reina Hispanoamericana 2017

Winwyn Marquez

Out of 27 candidates, Teresita Ssen “Winwyn” Marquez of the Philippines won the Reina Hispanoamericana 2017 crown on November 3, 2017 in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. She is the first candidate from an Asian country to compete and win the prestigious beauty pageant that celebrates the Hispanic heritage and culture.

The question asked to Marquez during the question-and-answer portion was about her way of promoting the Hispanic-American culture despite the language barrier. She answered, “Language can be learned but the will and determination to contribute to the organization cannot. It has to come from the heart. It has to be natural. I believe that kindness is a universal language that if you treat people with tolerance, patience and love, you will understand each other.”

“The Hispanic culture is not about language only,” Marquez continued. “It’s about love for God, love for country, love for history and culture and love for family. As a Filipina with a unique heritage, I have instilled that. I am ready to promote the Hispanic culture not just in Asia but in the whole world. It is time to celebrate the Hispanic culture. It is meant to be celebrated.”

Prior to the Reina Hispanoamericana 2017 coronation night, Marquez received several pre-pageant awards. She was Miss Intelligence first-runner up and Miss Ipanema.

Marquez succeeded Reina Hispanoamericana 2016 Maria Camila Soleibe of Colombia. The former is the daughter of Filipino actors Alma Moreno and Joey Marquez, brother of Miss International 1979 Melanie Marquez.