Nueva Vizcayan model is Miss World Philippines 2015

CEBU, Philippines – A nursing graduate and freelance model who had already represented the Philippines in an international pageant was crowned Miss World Philippines 2015 Sunday at Solaire Resort & Casino.

Hillarie Danielle Parungao, a 24-year-old native of Solano, Nueva Vizcaya, was the country’s representative for last year’s Miss Asia Pacific World pageant where she finished third runner-up.

That international exposure obviously served her in good stead as she earned another shot at representing the Philippines this time for the bigger Miss World 2015 pageant that will take place on December 19 in Sanya, China.

Living up to her hype as one of the pre-pageant favorites, Hillarie coasted her way to victory as she dominated the pageant right from the get-go. She won nine special awards, namely Best in Sports Challenge, Best in Fashion Runway, Best in Swimsuit, Best in Long Gown, Miss Zen Institute, Miss Technomarine, Miss Solaire, Miss Figlia, and Miss Phoenix.

Hillarie also effortlessly aced the question and answer portions, both during the Top 13 semifinals and the Top 5 finals. She succeeded Miss World Philippines 2014 Valerie Weigmann who coincidentally was also candidate number 19 last year.

Completing Hillarie’s court are 1st Princess Marita Cassandra Naidas (also Miss Bench), 2nd Princess Mia Allyson Howell (also co-winner of Best in Talent and Miss Fila), 3rd Princess Vanessa Wright (Miss Jazzy France) and 4th Princess Emma Mary Tiglao (co-winner of Most Unique Talent, Miss Photogenic and Miss Philippine Airlines).

Naidas, Howell and Tiglao were former Binibining Pilipinas contestants while Wright was a first timer on the national pageant stage.

Other winners of special awards were Avonlea Paula Paraiso and Vianca Louise Marcelo who tied with Howell for Best in Talent, Jannie Loudette Alipo-on who tied with Tiglao for Most Unique Talent and Christelle Anjali Abello who won Miss Friendship.

For the fifth straight year since Cory Qurino’s CQ Global Quest was awarded the Miss World Philippines franchise, the candidate with the most number of special awards went on to win Miss World Philippines.

Rounding up the Top 13 semifinalists were Maria Jackielyn Dulay, Vianca Louise Marcelo, Christelle Anjali Abello, Janette Lourdes Alipo-on, Jessica Rose McEwen, Jeddahliz Maltezo, Janelle Tee and Kiaragiel Gregorio. — InterAksyon.com