CEBU’S bet Cynthia Thomalla won the Miss Eco Philippines 2017 title during the Miss World Philippines 2017 held Sunday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Thomalla, who wore sash number 32, also bagged special awards including Miss Blue Water Day Spa, Miss Photogenic, Best in Long Gown, and Top Model award.
During the question and answer portion, Thomalla was asked what is the most important social issue faced by the generation.
Thomalla answered, “The one social issue facing today is social media. A lot of people are using social media irresponsibility that is causing a lot of conflicts and misunderstanding so I encourage everyone to use social media to show the world, to spread love and understanding and respect. Be mindful of what you post.”
In an interview with Cebu Daily News, Sven Chua, Thomalla’s manager of the Origin Model Management said that Thomalla has grown as a beauty queen.
“When you give her a task she will deliver and give her 101 percent. I’m proud of her,” Chua said.
Thomalla, 21, is a Tourism and Events Management graduate of STI-Maasin who was crowned Sinulog Festival Queen in 2016 and was the lead dancer of Tribu Himagulaw of Placer, Masbate.
Meanwhile, Laura Lehmann won the Miss World Philippines 2017 title and will be the country’s representative to the Miss World pageant to be held in Sanya, China, this November.
She also received Miss Cosmo Skin, Miss BYS Philippines, and Multimedia winner.
Lehmann was asked about her reaction to people who believe that pageants do not provide the opportunity to empower women.
“To anyone who don’t believe in pageants, I would ask them to take a look at the girls tonight because we have lawyers, architects, women of substance who are here not only because of what they look like but because of what’s in their hearts, what’s in their mind, and because what they’ve brought forth beauty with a purpose. They’re helping represent the Philippines and become the best version of the Filipina and for me that’s something only to celebrate,” Lehmann added.
Actress Teresita Ssen “Winwyn” Marquez won the Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas and bagged several awards including Miss Savoy Hotel Boracay, Talent winner, and Beach Beauty winner.
Other winners are Sophia Senoron (Miss Multinational Philippines), Glyssa Leian Perez (1st Princess) who also received the Sports Challenge award, and Zara Carbonel (2nd Princess). Other candidates who received special awards were Kathyrn Cudiamat for Zalora’s People Choice and Janela Joy Cuaton for Best Skin.