Miss Universe runner-up Raquel Pelissier of Haiti is part-Filipino

Another person with Filipino lineage nearly became Miss Universe for the second straight year.

Even though Philippines bet Maxine Medina failed to barge into the top three of the pageant on Monday, Miss Universe runner-up Raquel Pelissier of Haiti has Filipino roots.

She revealed this in an earlier interview with GMANetwork.com's entertainment portal.

“Before coming here in the Philippines, I was really excited because from my mom’s side, I have Filipino blood, and since I was little, they used to tell me that I never lived with that side of the family, but I’m interested in learning about the culture and that’s why I’m happy to be here,” she said.

Pelissier is currently attending graduate school for a master's degree in optometry.

"She is working on a research project on the regeneration of the optic nerve," her Miss Universe bio states.

Pellisier was a crowd favorite during the coronation night, which saw Iris Mittenaere win the crown. —JST, GMA News