MANILA, Philippines — Miss Angola Leila Lopes is the most beautiful woman in the world. 

Lopes looked to the skies with a grateful smile when she was crowned Miss Universe 2011 in Sao Paolo, Brazil, Monday night, Tuesday morning in Manila.

Shamcey Supsup, the Philippines’ bet, won third runner-up, while Miss China was fourth, Miss Brazil second, and Miss Ukraine finished first runner-up. Lopes is the first winner from Angola, besting 88 other women from all over the world.

The 25 year-old Supsup was a rumored favorite, easily securing her a seat in the top 16. But it was her pure grace, beauty and charm that cemented her a spot in the competitive top 10.

The Filipina looked elegant in a nice-flowing beige gown with silver detail. She ranked second in fan favorite for the gown competition, behind only Angola and followed by Costa Rica. Costa Rica came out in a sexy strapless red grown with a ruffled train, while others like France and Ukraine, dazzled in white.

And then there were 5

In random order, Ukraine was the first called to the top five,  followed by the Philippines, China, Brazil and Angola. The ladies proceeded to the question and answer portion of the competition, known as the most challenging part of the pageant.

Miss Philippines selected judge Vivica A. Fox to deliver her question, “Would you change your religious belief for the person you love? Why or why not?”

Supsup, with a ravishing smile, answered, “The first person I love is God who created me and i have my principles and beliefs…so if a man were to marry me, he must also love my God.”

Supsup was the only one who did not use an interpreter among the top five.

The Philippines’ own Ms. Lea Salonga asked the reigning Miss Universe her question: “If you could change one of your physical characteristics which one would it be and why?”

A beaming Lopes responded with confidence, “Thank God I am very well satisfied with the way God created me and I wouldn’t change a thing. I consider myself endowed with inner beauty. I have my principles,” she said. “I have acquired many wonderful principles from my family and i plan to follow these for the rest of my life. i would like to give all of you a piece of advice: respect one another.”  

Lopes was a crowd favorite, evident in the loud cheers of her adoring fans.

When the questions ended, 2010 pageant winner, Ximena Navarrete from Mexico walked the stage to a voiceover of her experience as last year’s Miss Universe. 

Miss Universe’s 60th Anniversary

This year marked the pageant’s 60th anniversary. Organizers expected close to a billion viewers worldwide. 

Natalie Morales, NBC “Today” anchor, and the Bravo Network’s Andy Cohen hosted the bright, colorful event co-owned by Donald Trump and NBC.

The top ten were Austalia, Costa Rica, France, Ukraine, Portugal, Panama, Philippines, Angola, China and Brazil.

Pageant commentataors said they were fans of Supsup and described Filipino fans as “the greatest in the world.” Supsup was constantly a fan favorite when it came to online votes.

Supsup graduated magna cum laude in 2010 from the University of the Philippines-Diliman with a degree in architecture. She topped the Architecture Licensure Examination in July 2010 as well. She hails from General Santos City where her fans watched the event together via live satellite. 

Follow the reporter on Twitter: @natashya_g