MANILA, Philippines – Newly crowned Miss Tourism International 2019 Cyrille Payumo was given a welcome party by the Mutya Pilipinas organizers on Wednesday, November 20. The beauty queen said she was initially nervous when she was called to replace Tyra Goldman weeks before the competition.

Speaking to Rappler before the Q and A with the press, Cyrille said she only had a short time to prepare herself for the competition in Malaysia.

“When they told me that I was the one replacing her (Tyra), I told myself ‘oh my gosh can I do it?’ Because I was carrying the whole country with me, and I only had 3 weeks to prepare everything,” she said in a mix of English and Filipino.

“So what I did before I flew to Malaysia, I made sure that I was ready, that I’m prepared. I was consistent in being positive about everything.”

It also helped that Cyrille had the support of the people around her, including Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental 2019 Emma Tiglao, whom she considers a sister. Both Cyrille and Emma are from Pampanga and have the same national costume designer – Rich Sabinian.

“She just told me to just never give up and to continue fighting,” Cyrille said of Emma’s advice. “And also pray.”

Now that she is a titleholder, Cyrille said that part of her duties will include a lot of traveling in promoting Malaysia.

“As their new ambassadress, as Miss Tourism International, I will be the one to help promote their tourism of course like their attractions, landmarks,” she said.

Cyrille is the 5th Filipina to win the title. The last Filipina to win was Jannie Alipo-on in 2017. – Rappler.com