Daven Tamayo

Colombia wins Miss International 2025; PH's Myrna Esguerra finishes as 4th runner-up

Article (news)

Karen Flores

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1764246400459Screenshot 2025-11-27 202538.png" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Huynh Thi Thanh Thuy of Vietnam (left) passes her Miss International crown to Catalina Duque of Colombia. Miss International/YouTube</span></span></span></div><p>A new Miss International has been crowned. </p><p>Catalina Duque of Colombia won the Miss International 2025 title in Tokyo, Japan on Thursday, November 27.</p><p>She succeeded Huynh Thi Thanh Thuy of Vietnam after besting 79 candidates. </p><p>Yollanda Chimbarami of Zimbabwe was named first runner-up, followed by Paola Guzmán Sanchez of Bolivia (second runner-up), and Melliza Xaviera Yulian of Indonesia (third runner-up).</p><p>The Philippines&#x27; delegate, Myrna Esguerra, finished as fourth runner-up.</p><p>She was aiming for the country&#x27;s 7th Miss International title after Kylie Verzosa (2016), <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/life/06/02/23/bea-santiago-shares-journey-as-kidney-disease-survivor">Bea Rose Santiago</a> (2013), <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/pageants-beauty-queens/2025/11/26/former-miss-international-lara-quigaman-reminds-public-of-pageants-worth-supporting-2002">Precious Lara Quigaman</a> (2005), Melanie Marquez (1979), Aurora Pijuan (1970), and Gemma Cruz (1964). </p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1764246111990Screenshot 2025-11-27 202006.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Myrna Esguerra crowned as Miss International 2025 fourth runner-up. Miss International/YouTube</span></span></span>Esguerra, who was <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/2024/7/7/another-myrna-wins-binibining-pilipinas-crown-after-60-years-707">crowned Binibining Pilipinas International in 2024</a>, <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/pageants-beauty-queens/2025/10/28/-sobrang-prepared-po-tayo-ph-s-myrna-esguerra-all-set-for-miss-international-2025-1942">had more than a year to prepare</a> for the global pageant stage.</div><p>A fan favorite, she was considered one of the frontrunners in this year&#x27;s Miss International, which debuted a refreshed, tighter format. The show began with all 80 contestants presenting their national costumes, with Ghana winning the special award.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1764237013019Screenshot 2025-11-27 172222.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Myrna Esguerra graces the Miss International 2025 stage in her national costume. Miss International/YouTube</span></span></span></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1764237075657Screenshot 2025-11-27 174720.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Myrna Esguerra is all smiles as she joins the Miss International 2025 Top 20. Miss International/YouTube</span></span></span></div><p>From there, Esguerra and 19 others advanced to the semi-finals, where they showcased their runway skills.</p><p>Just like in the <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/pageants-beauty-queens/2025/11/24/ph-s-myrna-esguerra-shines-in-miss-international-2025-prelims-1903">preliminary competition</a>, the Filipina beauty looked radiant in her swimsuit and evening gown, nailing the simple yet elegant look that the Japan-based Miss International pageant is known for. </p><p>Videos of the semi-finalists talking about their respective advocacies were also shown during the break. Esguerra has placed her focus on quality education for children, citing how it has changed her life for the better despite her humble background.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1764238888738Screenshot 2025-11-27 181857.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Myrna Esguerra during the Miss International 2025 swimsuit competition. Miss International/YouTube</span></span></span></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1764242114748Screenshot 2025-11-27 185135.png" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Myrna Esguerra sparkles in her evening gown designed by Mak Tumang. Miss International/YouTube</span></span></span></div><p>Miss International is known for championing the United Nations&#x27; Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with candidates encouraged to use their platform to drive positive change. </p><p>As the Top 10 were announced, each of them was asked to deliver a speech about their chosen SDGs. Esguerra opted to prioritize SDG 4 (quality education) and 17 (partnership for the goals) through her initiative, Project Dream Readers. </p><p>&quot;Being the only one among my 16 siblings to finish college is one of the proudest and grateful moments in my life,&quot; she said. &quot;And to pay my community forward, I created my Project Dream Readers in the Philippines, [which is] focused on quality education and partnership for the goals which are SDG 4 and 17.&quot;</p><p>&quot;I hope to see every child stand tall like Mt. Fuji and to ensure that no child will ever suffer the same way that I do,&quot; she added.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1764243031343Screenshot 2025-11-27 192655.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Myrna Esguerra delivers a speech about her chosen SDGs as a Top 10 finalist. Miss International/YouTube</span></span></span></div><p>This was followed by the selection of the Top 5, who were all asked to answer one question: &quot;If you were to describe your entire Miss International experience to your family and loved ones, what would you tell them?&quot;</p><p>Esguerra replied: &quot;I will tell to my Mama that I just gained 79 more siblings among my 16 siblings back home. Miss International taught me to be selfless, and it taught me the value of having friends from around the world. And I&#x27;m so grateful for this opportunity because I learned to help everyone in here, everyone who needs my help.&quot;</p><p>&quot;And above all, it made me a better person, a human that cares, because I was able to create my project. And with that, it is my tribute to all the people who helped me.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1764244317780Screenshot 2025-11-27 194948.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Myrna Esguerra during the final Q&amp;A. Miss International/YouTube</span></span></span></div><p>Aside from Esguerra, two other Filipinas vied for the Miss International 2025 crown: <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/2025/9/17/former-miss-universe-ph-candidate-allyson-ee-crowned-miss-international-malaysia-2025-1249">Allyson Eee</a>, who represented Malaysia; and <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/2025/9/8/fil-aussie-bella-dela-cruz-to-represent-australia-in-miss-international-2025-1342">Bella Dela Cruz</a>, who wore the Australia sash in the pageant. Both of them were unable to make it to the Top 20.</p><p>And just like in the <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/pageants-beauty-queens/2025/11/21/mexico-wins-miss-universe-2025-crown-ph-s-ahtisa-manalo-is-3rd-runner-up-1208">recently concluded Miss Universe</a>, Filipinos played important roles in this year&#x27;s Miss International coronation night. Japan-based Stephen Diaz took the lead as the pageant&#x27;s executive director, while Chico Estiva Atelier was tapped to be the official designer.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>SPECIAL AWARDS</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Continental Queens</strong></div><ul><li>Miss International Europe: United Kingdom</li><li>Miss International Africa: Zimbabwe</li><li>Miss International America: Turks and Caicos</li><li>Miss International Asia Pacific: Macau</li></ul><div><br/></div><div><strong>Best in National Costume</strong></div><ul><li>First place: Ghana</li><li>Second place: Vietnam</li><li>Third place: Tanzania</li></ul><div><br/></div><div><strong>Best Sustainable Development Goal Initiative</strong></div><p>Kenya</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Miss Fitness</strong></div><p>Dominican Republic</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Best in Evening Gown</strong></div><p>Bangladesh</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Miss Friendship</strong></div><p>Japan</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Best Talent</strong></div><p>Cook Islands</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Miss Elegance</strong></div><p>Czech Republic</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Miss Photogenic</strong></div><p>Russia</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>TOP 5</strong></div><ul><li id="isPasted">Philippines</li><li>Zimbabwe</li><li>Indonesia</li><li>Bolivia</li><li>Colombia</li></ul><div><br/></div><div><strong>TOP 10</strong></div><ul><li>Myanmar (People&#x27;s Choice Award winner)</li><li>Sri Lanka</li><li>Canada</li><li>Dominican Republic</li><li>Bolivia</li><li>Colombia</li><li>Zimbabwe</li><li>Nicaragua</li><li>Indonesia</li><li>Philippines</li></ul><div><br/></div><div><strong>TOP 20</strong></div><ul><li><strong></strong>South Africa (Europe and Africa top vote winner)</li><li>USA (The Americas top vote winner)</li><li>Myanmar(Asia Pacific top vote winner)</li><li>Peru</li><li>Mexico</li><li>Canada</li><li>Thailand</li><li>Netherlands</li><li>India</li><li>Angola</li><li>Zimbabwe</li><li>Jamaica</li><li>Dominican Republic</li><li>Indonesia</li><li>Colombia</li><li>Bolivia</li><li>Philippines</li><li>Nicaragua</li><li>Sri Lanka</li><li>Japan</li></ul>