Two Filipinas win top prizes at Sri Lanka pageant

July 27 ------ Two Filipinas simultaneously won the top prizes at an international beauty pageant held in Sri Lanka.

Alexandra Krishna Oriño, a semifinalist from the recent Miss Universe Philippines competition last May, won her first international crown as Miss Tourism at a pageant held in Negombo, Sri Lanka on July 25 (July 26 in Manila).

Meanwhile, Ma. Kathleen Monjardin, who comes from Boracay, won the title of Miss Teen Tourism, a separate category from the same pageant. A total of 18 delegates participated in the twin competitions for both the “Miss” and “Teen” categories, conducted in a single program and organized by a team based in the Philippines.

Both Oriño and Monjardin were fielded by Gerald Ortiz, organizer of the Mr. and Ms. Philippine Youth pageant. He was also the local director who appointed Ahtisa Manalo in both of her Miss Universe Philippines competitions in 2024 and 2025. Ortiz was also in Sri Lanka to serve as one of the judges of the twin competitions. The executive committee of the Miss and Miss Teen Tourism Organization has appointed him to sit on the panel. Aside from her Miss Tourism title, Oriño also received the Velona Venus Queen, Best in Evening Gown, Best in Forum, and Best in Production Number awards.

Monjardin also received multiple distinctions: a gold for Charity Queen and another one for Best in National Costume, and a bronze for Best in Talent. Oriño trained under the Aces & Queens pageant camp for her Miss Universe Philippines competition. She topped the online poll for Miss Playtime Universe at the national pageant, which earned her a spot in the Top 30.

Source: inquirer.net