Miss International Philippines Mariel de Leon: I gave my all

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 15) — Philippine bet Maria Angelica “Mariel” de Leon remains positive and thanks her supporters, following an attempt to bring home a back-to-back win at the Miss International 2017 competition.

De Leon, 24, said she gave her all and has no regrets.

“I’m so proud of how far I’ve come, how hard I fought and how much I grew & transformed,” she said in her Instagram post on Wednesday.

View this post on Instagram

To represent the Philippines on an International stage with 69 other women was something I never thought would be possible for me before! What a feat. 💕 Thank you Lord for this wonderful and unforgettable experience! As tiring and taxing as it was at times, I enjoyed every moment and I will keep it in my heart forever. Thank you to my supporters (both in the PH and around the world for all the wonderful messages) filled with so much love and support! Thank you to my mentors for guiding me and supporting me since 2013. Thank you to my family and close friends for loving me sooo much and for being my rock(s) haha. I’m so proud of how far I’ve come, how hard I fought and how much I grew & transformed! Strong, empowered, and brave is the new sexy. 🖤 I still have my Miss International Philippines crown and now I can push my limits even more as to what else I can achieve and give to my fellow Filipinos! 👑 "I know that every time I step on the stage it's a real gift, so I try not to take it for granted, and I try to make it an experience that the public can really participate in." I gave my all and I know I did amazing therefore I have no regrets! To God be ALL the glory! 🙏🏻

A post shared by MARIA (mariel) DE LEON (@mariadeleonofficial) on Nov 14, 2017 at 11:26pm PST

De Leon was among the 69 candidates in the pageant, held Tuesday in Tokyo, Japan.

Despite being booted out of the competition early, de Leon still impressed the Miss International 2017 audience with her national costume, swimwear, and evening gown.

READ: PH bet Mariel de Leon bows out of Miss International 2017

Crowned as Miss International was 21-year-old Kevin Lilliana from Indonesia, succeeding previous titleholder Kylie Verzosa from the Philippines.

In another Instagram post by De Leon a week before the pageant, she shared the camera with Lilliana and said “We’ve come this far, and that’s already such an honor and a blessing.”

View this post on Instagram

Coming from countries wherein pageants are a huge deal comes with a lot of highs and lows. But! We’ve come this far, and that’s already such an honor and a blessing. 🙏🏻 Laugh off the negativity and just enjoy! Right, @kevinlln ? 😂 Let’s not worry, let’s be happy! 💕 #WhatIfYouWereInOurShoes #MissInternationalIndonesia #MissInternaionalIndonesia2017 #MissInternationalPhilippines #MissInternationalPhilippines2017 #MissInternational #ミスインターナショナル #MissInternational2017 #ミスインターナショナル2017 #PanasonicBeauty #MissPanasonic #ILoveJapan #VisitJapan #JapanTravel

A post shared by MARIA (mariel) DE LEON (@mariadeleonofficial) on Nov 6, 2017 at 4:25pm PST

“Coming from countries wherein pageants are a huge deal comes with a lot of highs and lows,” the post read.

De Leon is the reigning Miss International Philippines, and the queen promises to use her crown to bring benefits to less fortunate Filipinos.

“Now I can push my limits even more as to what else I can achieve and give to my fellow Filipinos,” de Leon said on Instagram.

The 24-year-old opera singer is the daughter of veteran actors Christopher de Leon and Sandy Andolong.