Katarina Rodriguez
THIS MODEL-turned-beauty queen has once again proven herself in the international stage.
Katarina Rodriguez who wore the sash for Philippines for Miss Intercontinental 2017 finished first runner-up during the coronation night held at Sunrise Garden Beach Resort in Hurghada, Egypt yesterday.
The 24-year-old beauty queen was also named as Miss Asia and Oceana Queen.
Mexico’s Veronica Salas Vallejo was hailed as Miss Intercontinental 2017.
During the final question and answer, she was asked what she learned during the pageant.
She answered: “The most important thing that I have learned in joining Miss Intercontinental is an Arabic word named after one of the Sunrise Resorts and that is Meraki. It means to do all things with passion, soul, and creativity. When I heard this word and its definition, it resonated with me ‘til now and I think it will for the rest of my life. Therefore, that is the most important thing I learned while participating at Miss Intercontinental. That is to do all things with soul, passion, and creativity.”
Rodriguez competed with 66 other candidates from all over the world.
The other winners are Cathelijne Heppenhuis of Netherlands (2nd runner-up), Amanda Cardoso of Brazil (3rd runner-up), Lizeth Villanueva of Colombia (4th runner-up), and Lee Su Jin of Korea (5th runner-up).
Katarina Rodriguez
Stella Marquez Araneta, chair of Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI), congratulated Rodriguez through the Binibining Pilipinas’ official Facebook page.
“You have worked so hard and you’ve done your countrymen proud. Your beauty shone through but it is your attitude and character that make you the epitome of a true Binibini and a strong, inspiring Filipina,” the post read.
Before joining Binibining Pilipinas 2017, Rodriguez was part of the top three in Asia’s Next Top Model (ANTM) in 2014.
Rodriguez is part of the beauty camp Aces and Queens.
In an Instagram post, the group congratulated Rodriguez and said, “Intercontinental 2017 1st runner up & Miss Asia & Ocenia Queen Katarina Rodriguez @katarinarodri
Congratulations!!! Your Aces & Queens family is very proud of you!”