Miss World Philippines 2017 Laura Lehmann: ‘With a crown you have a voice’

Former Ateneo courtside reporter Laura Lehmann was crowned Miss World Philippines 2017 Sunday night, besting 34 other women for the title.

She is the first to wear the new Miss World Philippines "Pearl of the Orient" crown.

"I plan to use my crown in the best way that I can," she said. "I know that with a crown you have a voice, a platform, and I hope I can use that to raise awareness for our 'beauty with a purpose' projects just to show people that, you know, beauty queens are not just about looking good and all that. We also have a mind to speak and we're very, very proud to be Filipinas."

Going for Miss World

The Makati City resident was first runner-up at the Binibining Pilipinas pageant in 2014. Now 24, she chose the Miss World Philippines competition on her return to the pageant circuit.

"I chose Miss World specifically because I believe in what Miss World does," she said. "I think Miss World is the pageant that really justifies pageantry because you don't just have a crown on your head. It's not just about looking good; it's really about giving back, and that's the focus of Miss World."

Lehmann added that she admires Miss World Organization head Julia Morley, who is in the Philippines for the pageant and other charity events.

"She didn't just come to watch the pageant. She came to visit hospitals, visit foundations, that's what I really love about her," Lehmann said.

Motivation

Lehmann said that her Binibining Pilipinas loss motivated her to do her best to win a crown on her return.

"I think in 2014 I saw what a beautiful experience the winners received and wanted to have that same experience, and they made so many people happy even though they didn't win an international crown," she said.

"The Filipinos were just so proud that they were there in the national pageant, I think that's what inspired me to join."

For the international competition, Laura said she will be asking help from Miss World 2013 Megan Young and other queens who have competed in Miss World.

"Well luckily we have a Miss World runner-up and we have Megan Young, so may plan is to kind of like interview Megan a little bit. I'm gonna make her kulit and ask tips from her and ask for advice and hopefully, I'm sure she'll be able to give me the best advice that she can," she said.

Laura's winning answer

During the nerve-racking question and answer portion, Lehmann was asked by Young, "There are people who do not believe that pageants are there to empower women. What would you say to them?"

She drew cheers from the crowd after giving her answer, which was: "To anyone who doesn't believe in pageants, I would ask them to take a look at the girls we have on stage tonight, because we have lawyers, we have architects, we have women of substance who are here today not only because of what they look like but because of what's in their heart, what's in their mind and because they have brought forth 'beauty with a purpose' projects. They're here fighting to represent the Philippines and become the best version of a Filipina, and to me that is only something to celebrate, not protest."

Q&A: Candidate no. 15 Laura Lehmann @gmanews pic.twitter.com/sbWamR4ZG5

— Jannie (@jannieannb) September 3, 2017

Even in the early stages of the competition, Lehmann was a crowd favorite, bagging special awards Miss BYS Philippines and Miss Cosmo Skin.

She will compete in the Miss World 2017 pageant, which will be held in China in November. — BM, GMA News