The Philippines extended its strong showing at the Miss Intercontinental pageant after Christina Vanhefflin placed fifth overall in the recently concluded competition, marking the country’s 12th consecutive placement in the international tilt.
Vanhefflin, the reigning Mutya ng Pilipinas titleholder from Leyte, finished as fourth runner-up during the coronation night held on Jan. 29 in the coastal destination of Sahl Hasheesh in Egypt. The pageant was held on Jan. 30, Manila time.
She advanced to the final round after winning the Power of Beauty award. The win was historic, as it marked the first time a country claimed the special award in two consecutive years. Her Mutya ng Pilipinas predecessor, Alyssa Redondo, was the first Filipina to receive the distinction and went on to finish second runner-up in the 2024 edition, which was also staged in Egypt.
Russia’s Varvara Yakovenko, who also won Miss Intercontinental Europe and Miss Photogenic, emerged as the new Miss Intercontinental after topping more than 50 delegates. She succeeded Maria Cepero of Puerto Rico, the 2024 titleholder.
Cuba’s Lorena Suarez Lara, representing North America, placed first runner-up, while Thailand’s Vanessa Wenk, Miss Intercontinental Asia and Oceania, finished as second runner-up. Tanzania’s Faidah Kassim, who entered the finals through the People’s Choice award, was named third runner-up.
Ecuador’s Cristiane Guerrero Marques das placed fifth runner-up, while Democratic Republic of the Congo bet Brilliant Mukanda Marko, who won Best in Swimsuit and represented Africa, completed the winners’ circle as sixth runner-up.
The Philippines has recorded two victories at the Miss Intercontinental pageant, with Karen Gallman winning in 2018 and Cinderella Faye Obeñita claiming the crown in 2021. The country’s ongoing placement streak began in 2013, when Mutya ng Pilipinas Koreen Medina finished third runner-up.
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