MANILA (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN): The Philippines has cemented its status as a powerhouse country in the Miss Eco International pageant when Alexie Brooks posted the country’s third victory in the global competition’s 2025 edition held in Egypt on Saturday (April 19) evening.
She also made history as the first mixed-race woman to earn the title at the culmination of the ceremonies held at the AlZahraa Ballroom of Hilton Green Plaza in the port city of Alexandria.
Brooks inherited the crown from last year’s winner Angelina Usanova from Ukraine, and thwarted the European country’s back-to-back attempt. Usanova’s compatriot Yelyzaveta Adams finished third overall.
Indonesia’s Yulinarr Fitriani was first runner-up, while Cynthia Murillo from the United States was third runner-up. The United Kingdom’s Vitoria Inglis, whose parents trace roots in Ilocos and Pangasinan, rounded up the Final 5.
Brooks also scored for the Philippines a second consecutive win as “Best in National Costume” with her Philippine Eagle-inspired creation by Tata Blas Pinuela.
Her predecessor, Chantal Schmidt, won the distinction in a Masskara-themed costume.
The Ilongga national athlete’s coronation follows the victories of Filipino queens Cynthia Thomalla in 2018 and Kathleen Paton in 2022. Three more from the Philippines finished second: Schmidt last year, Kelley Day in 2021, and Maureen Montagne in 2019. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
