By 1926, Anita Agoncillo Noble became the very first Miss Philippines titleholder. Unwittingly, the very first Miss Universe, Armi Kuusela of Finland, married Filipino businessman Virgilio Hilario and settled in what would be one of the pageant’s most ardent fan bases in Manila. In 1969, Gloria Diaz put the Philippines prominently on the beauty pageant map when she was crowned Miss Universe. In 1994, when Miss Universe was held in Manila the second time, Charlene Gonzales Bonnin made it to the Top 6, with Sushmita Sen of India winning the grand prize. At the conclusion of the pageant, Miss International 2018 First Runner-Up Ahtisa Manalo crowned Magtanong as her successor and Gray crowned Ganados as her potential successor as Miss Universe.

Source: Manila Times November 09, 2019 16:35 UTC