Venezuela Wins, Philippines is 1st Runner-up at the Miss World 2011

Our very own Gwendoline Ruais was crowned 1st runner-up at the Miss World 2011 pageant held on November 6th (7th in the Philippines) at the Earls Court Two in London. She was also a finalist in the fast-track competitions Beach Beauty, Top Model and Beauty with a Purpose.

A lot of Filipinos were in the audience including the parents of Ruais. They were one of those with the loudest cheers, boosting our contestant's confidence.

Venezuela's Ivian Sarcos was crowned the winner while Miss Puerto Rico Amanda Vilanova was 2nd runner-up.

The Philippines has been winning in the international beauty pageants. Venus Raj was Miss Universe 2010 4th runner-up, Shamcey Supsup was Miss Universe 2011 3rd runner-up, and now Gwendoline Ruais got this year's highest honor a Filipina got in an international beauty pageant.

Gwendoline was the country's first representative to the Miss World pageant under Cory Quirino. I guess it was really a good thing that a Filipina now owns the local franchise of the prestigious pageant.

Honestly I never thought Gwendoline would even make it to the semi-finals. She looks like a model, alright, but her looks is not my typical beauty queen standards. But then again, I'm just a pageant fan and not a pro. :D

Congratulations to Gwendoline. Congrats Philippines!