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“I’m proud to continue the family tradition,” Manalo told the Philippine Daily Inquirer after her coronation. “Now we have all three titles, Universe, World and International.”

Manalo, who will represent the country in the Miss Universe pageant later this year in the Bahamas, also took home the lion’s share of special awards, Miss Natasha, Miss Philippine Airlines, Reader’s Choice, and the highly coveted Best in Swimsuit award.

A highlight of the evening was when Manalo was asked by host Richard Gomez during the interview round what she would teach her future son about women.

She replied: “He should respect her like he respects his mother, because all women can be mothers. If you know how to respect her, you know how to respect yourself as well.”

The 5-foot-10 Advertising graduate of Assumption College received a resounding ovation.

Other winners were Binibining Pilipinas-World Marie-Ann Umali and Binibining Pilipinas-International Melody Gersbach.

Umali, who also snagged the Miss Photogenic and Best in Evening Gown trophies, was a semifinalist in the pageant’s 2006 edition. She will make a bid to become the country’s first Miss World titleholder in South Africa also later this year.

Binibining Pilipinas First Runner-up was Richell Angalot, a television personality more popularly known as Rich Asuncion. She was also proclaimed Miss Natasha Beauty and Araneta Center Shopper’s Choice.

Regina Hahn, who also comes from a line of beauty queens, was Second Runner-up. Her mother, Chiqui Brosas-Hahn, was 1975 Miss Universe fourth runner-up.

Contestant Gizelle Rivamonte was voted Miss Friendship by her fellow candidates.

Paolo Bediones and actress Iza Calzado also hosted the event together with Miss World semifinalist Carlene Aguilar as anchorperson.

Twenty-three women participated in the pageant that lasted five hours, ending early Sunday morning.

One candidate, however, No. 13, was missing.

Sandra Inez Seifert was disqualified two days before the coronation night for having posed for the men’s magazine FHM.

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