Photo recap: Highlights, Miss World PH 2017 coronation night

MANILA, Philippines – True to their promise, the new team behind the Miss World Philippines organization made the 2017 coronation night a grand event.

Held at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday, September 3, the show was hosted by Iya Villania, KC Montero, and Carla Abellana. They were joined by the past Miss World Philippines titleholders, including 2016’s Catriona Gray and Miss World 2013 Megan Young.

The program opened with a dance number by the 35 candidates.

A short video of the new crown, known as The Pearl of the Orient, was also shown.

The competition was tight, with a number of fans screaming at the top of their lungs for their favorite candidates. The ladies showed off their form in the swimsuit competition, followed by the evening gown competition.

Jay-R and Kris Lawrence serenaded the ladies with the new Miss World Philippines song.

Arnold Vegafria, the new owner of the Miss World Philippines Organization, announced that this year’s beneficiary is the Jose Reyes Memorial Hospital. He said that they will also continue to support the Tuloy Foundation and the Philippine General Hospital.

The competition followed the usual Miss World format, with the introduction of the fast track challenges. Winners of the fast track challenges automatically made it to the next round.

This year’s question and answer portion was a little different, with Miss World 2013 Megan asking the ladies to pick their questions from a fishbowl.

The pageant was also graced by a number of VIPs. Miss World Organization chairperson Julia Morley was in attendance, together with Mandla Mandela, aka Chief Mandela, the grandson of former South African president Nelson Mandela. Miss World 2016 Stephanie del Valle was also there, as well as the Continental Queens – Yaritza Reyes of South America, Natasha Mannuela of Asia, Lenty Frans of Europe, Madeline Cowe of Oceania, and Evelyn Njambi of Africa.