Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Kylie Versoza turned emotional when she saw her parents at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Friday night. The new Miss International exchanged a long embrace with her father.
She thanked her family for supporting her emotionally, spiritually, and financially.
Verzosa said without them she would not have endured the struggles of preparing for the pageant.
Now that she wears the crown she won in the 56th Miss International Beauty Pageant in Tokyo, Japan, she dedicated her victory to the country.
“I went there with the Philippine sash and I came back with the Miss International sash. I came back with the crown that I promised you and I did this all for the Philippines. All the struggles I’ve been through was for the Philippines,” she said.
At a subsequent press conference, she answered questions on her future plans, including her desire to meet President Rodrigo Duterte.
“I saw him during the conference in Japan. I found his speech very genuine very heartwarming. He was the superstar. Then he had a big crowd that really loved him and I am looking forward to meeting him,” she said.
The two met in Japan when Duterte went for an official visit. They even have a selfie together, where Verzosa said she feels the “luckiest” to score a photo with the President.
Binibining Pilipinas organizers also confirmed that a celebratory parade for Verzosa will take place at the Araneta Center in Quezon City on November 18.
Verzosa is the sixth Filipina to win a Miss International pageant and the only one in her batch so far to win a crown.
The country last brought home the title when Bea Rose Santiago won in 2013.
