IN PHOTOS: Maureen Wroblewitz's winning 'Asia's Next Top Model' moments

MANILA, Philippines — “I still actually haven’t realized that I won. I just couldn’t believe it. Maybe, when it’s actually out!” Maureen Wroblewitz told the press after her announcement as the Philippines’ first “Asia’s Next Top Model” (AsNTM) winner.

Even before the finals, the Filipina bet was already leading “Asia’s Next Top Model” Cycle 5 in episode 12, the second to the last episode, with the highest average of 45.79, followed by Shikin Gomez of Malaysia with 37.93, and Minh Tu Nguyen of Vietnam with 37.09 points.

“I’m really so happy that a Filipino has finally won, so I’m really proud of myself and I’m so happy for all Filipinos who have been praying every year, waiting every year. I’m so happy that I made your dreams come true!” shared the 18-year-old.

“Actually, I wasn’t expecting at all to win this. After I heard the positive comments, there was like hope growing. I thought, ‘The comments were really positive and I might really have the chance.’ I was really hoping Cindy (Bishop) to call my name because she’s been calling the names of these other ladies for ages, so I was really hoping for my name to be called.”

She believes the judges looked at the whole package and her potential and chance in the modeling industry around Asia and beyond.

“I was really feeling pressured because, okay, a Filipina has never won, so I really have to really give it my all because I really want to win this for the Philippines. And also during the last runway, I was feeling really, really nervous because I didn’t feel like I was in the runway. I was practicing a lot. I was afraid that what if I stumble? What if something happens like what if I slip? I was just like making myself go crazy, but then I said, ‘Just relax and you can do this!’”

Her most favorite photo shoot was the one with ice because they got to travel to Malaysia and it was a very different kind of photo shoot. “It was tropical winter and we’re on ice skates. I would say that I have the advantage of knowing how to ice skate. That was very different and that was a crazy pose also. That was very hard to do. That was definitely my favorite photo shoot!”

As winner, among her prizes are a modeling contract, a brand new car, and a cover in “Nylon” magazine, which will be out next month.

 “For now, I’m really going to focus on modeling. But I’m not closing any doors. Maybe in a few years I might also,” she said when asked if she will also join beauty contests just like fellow Filipina Katarina Rodriguez, AsNTM finalist who just won Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental.

To everyone who supported her, Maureen said: “I want to thank you all so much for accepting me as the last representative of the Philippines, as the last Filipina standing. I really didn’t expect this amount of support and I just want to thank you all so much for all the messages and all the cheering for me. It really means so much. Thanks so much! I love you!”

Here are some of Maureen's shining moments in the show:

Maureen's first winning photo inspired by Maybelline girl Gigi Hadid

Maureen's second winning photo

Maureen's third winning photo with the theme tropical winter

Final photo shoot challenge as the "pearl princess"

Final photo shoot challenge as the "pearl princess"

Final runway walk

The three finalists as they await announcement of the winner.

Fellow finalists happy for Maureen

Maureen ecstatic after being declared the winner.

Maureen ecstatic after being declared the winner.

Maureen ecstatic after being declared the winner.

Maureen ecstatic after being declared the winner.

Judges and guests congratulating the new winner.

Judges and guests congratulating the new winner.

Judges and guests congratulating the new winner.