The Philippines’ Cinderella Faye Obeñita was crowned Miss Intercontinental 2021 on Friday night, October 29 in Egypt (early Saturday, October 30, Manila time)

Obeñita bested over 70 candidates in the competition to take home the Philippines’ second Miss Intercontinental title, after Karen Gallman won in 2018.

“From wild card to Miss Intercontinental 2021! Your Cinderella story is truly inspiring. Thank you for raising our flag, Cindy,” the Binibining Pilipinas organization said in its congratulatory message to Obeñita. 

During the question and answer portion, Obeñita was asked if speaking English is important for Miss Intercontinental. 

This is her winning answer: “As an ambassador, I don’t think that speaking a specific language is very important here in Miss Intercontinental or any pageant at all. As long as that woman is a woman of power and grace, commitment, and intelligence, no matter what language she speaks, and that woman is actually a woman of style and substance, then she can win any pageant or any endeavor she is into.”

She continued: Also, it’s very important, I have learned actually here in Miss Intercontinental, that a woman should possess power of substance. And I believe I am that woman. Because that is the essence of a modern-day Miss Intercontinental, we are living in a world that’s very hard to survive. And as Miss Intercontinental, I would like to be that source of hope; that source of inspiration on the true power of beauty. And that is felt in the kindness of our hearts and definitely in the sincerity of our loving actions.”

The 25-year-old tourism officer from Cagayan de Oro was chosen to represent the Philippines in the international pageant during the Binibining Pilipinas coronation night in July. (READ: Who is Cinderella Faye Obeñita, Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental 2021)

The Binibining Pilipinas pageant was Obeñita’s first foray in the national pageant scene. There, she earned the highest number of fan votes, which warranted her the wildcard 13th spot for the semifinals, before being named as one of the six titleholders. 

– Rappler.com