Kylie Verzosa has already won the hearts of many Filipinos even before she clinched the Miss International 2016 crown.
An early favorite in Binibining Pilipinas, pageant enthusiasts predicted that she would surely win one of the major titles, if not the Miss Universe Philippines crown.
But she was happy with the pageant's outcome.
After her victory as Bb. Pilipinas International 2016, she tweeted, "I am still in awe. I can't believe it. I am ecstatic and overjoyed. I am so grateful to have this moment, it took sometime to sink in."
Here are four interesting facts about the the latest Pinoy pride:
1. The 24-year-old beauty is a Binibini repeater.
At the Bb. Pilipinas press conference, the Baguio native said that joining the same pageant twice gave her enough determination to capture the much-coveted crown.
In the 2015 competition, she placed in the Top 15.
In a quick chat during her send-off party to Japan last September, Kylie told PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) that her experience in the local pageant had prepared and trained her enough to conquer the international pageant.
Kylie said,"I've been training for this, siguro ever since I joined Binibini, which was in 2015, yung training namin is sufficient and very enough."
2. Her mom joined Binibining Pilipinas.
Her mom, Gemma Raquel Fausto, was one of the Top 15 semifinalists when she joined in 1985.
One Instagram, Kylie thanked her for being "the most supportive, loving, and kind woman."
She wrote, "To my mommy, who sent me the most blurred photo of her Binibini days. Belated Happy Mothers' Day, just wanted to thank you for being the most supportive, loving and kind woman to me. She would kill for me."
Kylie is eldest daughter among five siblings.
3. She used to work as a preschool teacher.
Though she's a Business Management graduate of Ateneo de Manila University, her Bb. Pilipinas bio indicated that she used to work as a preschool teacher and a volunteer for the Natasha Goulbourn Foundation which was founded in 2007.
According to the organization's website, it's mission is "to promote awareness and understanding for Depression as a medical condition."
During her stay in Japan, she taught "her kids how to walk" like a real beauty queen.
4. Green tea was a staple in her diet while preparing for the pageant.
Though Kylie is a good baker, she started “avoiding sugar, wheat, lutein, salt, and carbs or any bread for that matter" when she started her training.
What was her diet like?
1. “Make sure to have protein..."
2. "Add color to your food. I try to eat as much fresh fruits and vegetables.”
3. “Drink lots of water and green tea. It will help a lot.”
Congratulations, Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa!