Davao beauty crowned 2018 Miss World Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — A model and VJ from Davao City won the coveted Miss World Philippines 2018 at the pageant’s coronation night held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City last Sunday.

With her victory, Katarina Rodriguez, 26, earned the right to represent the country at the 68th Miss World pageant finals slated in Sanya, China on Dec. 8.

A pre-pageant favorite, Rodriguez was crowned by outgoing Miss World Philippines Laura Lehmann and reigning Miss World Manushi Chillar of India.

Rodriguez also won the Beach Beauty challenge and was adjudged Best in Evening Gown, Miss Resorts World Manila, Miss Cosmo Skin and Miss Blue Water Day Spa.

In the final question-and-answer portion of the competition, the beauty and brains was asked what she could do to change the opinion of people who believe that “beauty pageants are a form of women exploitation.”

“I’d like to think that one should live by example. And I actually would like to admit that I was one of those before until I learned more about what beauty pageants are about. One thing I can tell you is that you may think it’s very competitive but it’s not. You understand beauty pageants when you know that it is actually not competitive against other women. It’s actually competitive towards yourself. And in a sense, it’s all about woman empowerment. And you can feel that in this group of girls, each girl knows that we are all individually beautiful,” she answered.

Rodriguez is a double major graduate, with degrees in Business and Philosophy, of De La Salle University and is an active member of The Red Whistle, an HIV awareness advocacy group.

She is a former MTV Philippines video jockey and Viva Artists talent.

A sports buff that keeps herself fit and fab, Rodriguez is a taekwondo black belter, an indoor cycling instructor and a long-distance runner. She has been into ballet also for the past 11 years.

Born in Orlando, Florida, Rodriguez is no stranger to beauty pageants.

Last year, she was crowned Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental and joined the 2017 Miss Intercontinental in Egypt where she emerged as first runner-up to Mexico’s Veronica Salas. She was also named Miss Intercontinental Asia and Oceania, and placed third in Asia’s Next Top Model Season 2 in 2014.

Other winners crowned, along with Rodriguez, were Maureen Montagne, Alyssa Alvarez and Kimi Mugford who will aim for back-to-back wins in the forthcoming Miss Eco International, Reina Hispanoamericana and Miss Multinational, respectively,

The reigning queens are Cynthia Thomalla, Winwyn Marquez and Sophia Senoron, respectively.

The three titleholders for this year’s Miss World Philippines also bagged special awards: Montagne was Miss Philippine Airlines, Top Model, Miss Blue Water Day Spa, Miss G CO-X and Miss Tanduay; Alvarez was Multimedia challenge winner, Best Skin by Cathy Valencia, Miss Erase Placenta, Miss BYH, and Miss G CO-X while Mugford topped the Sports challenge.

Chanel Morales was crowned First Princess, aside from being voted as Miss Photogenic and Miss Erase Placenta, while Pearl Hung was adjudged Second Princess.  

Kim de Guzman, Kyla Sanchez, Denielle Magno and Marianne Marquez comprised the other top 10 finalists. De Guzman also won the charity challenge while Danica Reynes was Best in Talent.

Tasked to choose the winners from a field of 40 aspirants were Miss World titlists Megan Young (2013), Stephanie del Valle of Spain (2016), Chillar (2017), 2013 Miss Universe third runner-up Ariella Arida, Vivienne Tan, singer/recording artist Louie Heredia and actor Kiko Estrada, among others.

Miss World Organization chair Julia Morley and event director Steve Douglas also graced the event, which was hosted by Miss World 1993 Second Princess Ruffa Gutierrez, Mr. World 2012 Francisco Escobar of Colombia and Kapuso prime actress Carla Abellana.