Ganiel Krishnan
MUTYA ng Pilipinas Ganiel Krishnan finished second runner-up during the Miss Asia Pacific International 2016 pageant held in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Wednesday evening.
The Netherlands’ Tessa le Conge brought home the crown. Thailand’s Chawanya Thanomwong was named first runner-up.
Twenty-two-year-old Ganiel, a Filipino-Indian college student and former courtside reporter, was gunning for the country’s fifth Miss Asia Pacific International crown, following Ma. Del Carmen Ines Zaragoza (1982), Gloria Dimayacyac (1983), Lorna Legaspi (1989), and Michelle Aldana (1993).
Cook Island’s Felicia George and South Korea’s Soyeon Kim completed the top five for this year.
In the final interview round, Tessa was asked on how she would promote the pageant’s advocacy of “Beauty in Diversity.”
“I think nowadays it’s really sad to see so much negativity in the world because you see, people doesn’t really respect each other,” she said.
“And I would like to show people what you can do with a good light in your heart. So spread some positivity in this negativity (filled) world, and show people what you can do with a good heart,” Tessa continued.
The coronation night was held at the Sheridan Beach Resort and Spa in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
Formerly Miss Asia Quest, the Manila-based Miss Asia Pacific International aims to promote Philippine tourism overseas.