MANILA, Philippines - Filipino netizens still support TV host-actress Valerie Weigmann despite failing to bag the title of Miss World 2014 in London on Sunday.
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It was Miss Africa Rolene Strauss who won the title, with Miss Hungary placing Edina Kulscar second and Miss United States Elizabeth Safrit placing third.
Valerie made it to the quarter finals but failed to reach the top 10.
Former beauty queens, however, remain proud of the “Eat Bulaga” co-host and erstwhile TV actress, saying the 24-year Valerie “did her best” during the pageant.
“Congratulations to the New Miss World from South Africa. And to Valerie Weigmann, our Miss Philippines, you did great,” Miss International 2005 Lara Quigaman said on her Instagram account.
“You gave it your best...Good job! Thank you for representing our country in the best way you could,” Miss World 1993 second runner-up Ruffa Gutierrez said on her Twitter account.
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Many netizens believe Valerie had a difficult job of trying to succeed fellow Filipina Miss World 2013 Megan Young for the crown. Only two countries in history managed to do a back-to-back win in the Miss World pageant.
But still, no one can beat @meganbata as Miss World in our hearts. <3
— May Mancenido (@mayumiiracle26) December 15, 2014 The fact that she made it to top 25 is already a big success. Congratulations Valerie Weigmann. God bless. @vweigmann #MissWorld2014 <3
— IG: @vmsamson (@iamClerichMS) December 14, 2014 Others also pointed that the Philippines’ representative to the Miss World have consistently made it to the pageant’s quarter finals since 2011.
The reaction of Philstar.com readers, however, are mixed, with some pointing out that Valerie “does not look Filipino enough” for the international beauty pageant.
“Honestly, I am not proud of her kasi hindi naman tunog Pinoy ang apelyedo nya laluna sa itsura hindi Pinay. At saka hindi dugong puro Pinay. Marami dyang mas magandang nagngangalang Bathala Paraluman at iba pa. Pinay beauty at talent talaga,” Facebook user Rey Aguilar Soberano commented.
“I personally prefer to have a locally born and bred Filipinas to represent the country,” Philstar.com reader TheHopefulPessimist said.
The others, meanwhile, defended Valerie.
“Let us not limit Filipina beauty to just one kind because the natural consequence of inter-marriages would be offsprings with exciting mix of both races, one more dominant than the other but still beautiful. We should embrace, be proud of, & celebrate the diversity of Filipina beauty,” Facebook user Lui Gascon said.
“Okay lang. Maganda pa rin naman ang mga Pinay. Di naman nabawasan dahil sa pagkatalo ni Weigmann,” Philstar.com reader rev clouds posted.
Last November, Bianca Guidotti also failed to give the Philippines a back-to-back win the 2014 Miss International pegeant.
Jamie Herrell, however, won the Miss Earth 2014 crown earlier this month.
Mary Jean Lastimosa will compete for the Miss Universe 2014 crown in Jan. 25, 2015.