Miss Philippines Janine Mari Tugonon is first runner-up in Miss Universe Pageant

Miss USA Olivia Culpo

Miss Philippines Janine Mari Tugonon has placed second in the Miss Universe pageant held Wednesday (US time) in Las Vegas.
This is the closest the country has come to winning the crown since Miriam Quiambao in 1999.
Miss USA Olivia Culpo is this year's Miss Universe. The other top winners are:

Irene Sofiá Esser Quintero, Venezuela (2nd runner up)
Renae Ayris, Australia (3rd runner up)
Gabriela Markus, Brazil (4th runner up)

During the Question and Answer portion, renowned photographer Nigel Barker asked Tugonon, 23, a question from Twitter: "As a global ambassador, do you think speaking English should be a prerequisite to being Miss Universe?"

Tugonon answered, "Language isn't the only important thing. As long as you can influence and inspire other people, as long as you have a strong mind, spirit, you can be Miss Universe."
In the pre-pageant interview videos shown after the announcement, Tugonon called Miss Universe "a battle of a lifetime," noting that Filipinos are inherently fond of beauty pageants.


"If I make it here, I feel that I can give them hope, and it's an early Christmas gift to them," she said.

 Janine Mari Tugonon 

Janine Tugonon background
Tugonon, who towers at 5 feet and nine inches, was born in Balanga, Bataan.
She graduated cum laude with a Bachelors Degree in Pharmacy from the University of Santo Tomas (UST).
According to The Varistarian, even before she tried her luck in the Binibining Pilipinas pageant, she won in The Search for the Ideal Thomasian Personality.
She's the quintessential combination of beauty and brains.
Before joining the Binibining Pilipinas contest, she took her Pharmacy board exams and received her license in June 2010.
In 2011, Tugonon joined the said competition where she placed 1st runner up. The crown went to Shamcey Supsup.
After her defeat, she tried again and finally got the title of 2012 Binibining Pilipinas– Miss Universe.
After training for almost seven months for this year's Miss Universe competition, Tugonon made a signature walk for herself called the "Cobra walk."
"Kasi may power. 'Yon 'yong palaging sinasabi sa akin ng trainer ko, eh. Kailangan paglumakad ka kailangan may power, 'yong aura mo lalabas so ayon, kaya siya distinct," she said.