47th Miss Intercontinental pageant in Philippines Jan. 2019

MANILA, Philippines — The 47th edition of the Miss Intercontinental pageant will be held in Manila for ther first time on Jan. 26, 2019, in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Reigning titlist Veronica Salas Vallejo of Mexico will relinquish her crown to one of the more than 85 beauties from the same number of countries that are competing.

Vallejo (third from right) was present during the press launch at a function room of Conrad Hotel last Thursday, together with (from left) 2018 Miss Intercontinental Japan Akari Maeda, 2018 Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental Karen Gallman, Miss Intercontinental Japan COO Kumi Miyamae, Miss Intercontinental Organization (MIO) CEO Detlef Tursies and Miss Intercontinental Japan CEO Joanna Leonisa Gimena Miyamae.

Originally, the pageant was scheduled to be held in Japan but due to lack of venue because of the forthcoming Olympic Games, the MIO decided to hold it in Manila.

Just like other pageants, the Miss Intercontinental pageant puts premium on looks and talent, and also, according to Tursies, ‘applicants who have no children and no criminal record.’

Unlike in this year’s Miss Universe pageant (to be held in Thailand in December) which is reported to have accepted a transgender Miss Spain as contestant, all the Miss Intercontinental candidates are real women, although the MIO doesn’t discount the possibility of letting a transgender join in the future.