BAGUIO CITY –- A Baguio girl was crowned Bb Pilipinas International during the Binibining Pilipinas coronation night over the weekend in Manila.
Kylie Versoza will represent the country in the prestigious Miss International pageant. Versoza, 24, is a daughter of Gemma Raquel Fausto-Versoza, former Binibining Pilipinas candidate who was a finalist in the 1985 pageant, and Ari, who runs a restaurant in the city.
Versoza also won the Miss Manila Bulletin Reader’s Choice, She’s So Jag Jeans award, Miss Fashionista and the Face of Binibini or the Most Photogenic.
She also topped an independent and unofficial Rappler bankrolled poll with 45.34 percent of the votes.
Versoza is a teacher and an advocate for depression and suicide awareness. Based on her profile from Binibining Pilipinas, she volunteered for the Natasha Goulbourn Foundation, which aims to educate people about depression and suicide. She is a member of the Professional Models Association of the Philippines and has done ramp and print modelling.
In an Instagram message Versoza posted for her supporters: “I am still in awe. I can’t believe it. I am ecstatic and overjoyed. I am so grateful to have this moment, it took sometime to sink in.”
“Thank you to everyone who supported me, especially to my Angels, you were also the stars of the night. To my parents, you are the best. I love you. To Aces and Queens, Mama Rommel, Mac, Harry, Francis. Thank you for believing and helping me win that night.”
Meanwhile, Kimberle Mae Licao Penchon who traces her roots to the Cordilleras, qualified to the top 15 candidates of the pageant. A graduate of the University of Baguio, Penchon was the Miss Baguio 2012 who backed out of the Binibining Pilipinas competitions last year due to work commitments.
Penchon has won several regional titles in Cordillera and Ilocos Region including Miss Hotel and Restaurant Association of Baguio or HRAB, Mutia Ti La Union, Miss Agoo, Miss Beauche International and Miss Laoag. (JDP/RMC- PIA CAR)
