AT A GLANCE
Nikki De Moura, 19, from Cagayan de Oro, emerged victorious among 29 other contestants in the beauty pageant, which has a noble goal of advocating for peace and denouncing any forms of violence.
Miss Grand Philippines 2023 Nikki de Moura of Cagayan de Oro City (Images courtesy of Miss Grand Philippines Facebook)
A Filipino-Brazilian model was crowned Miss Grand Philippines 2023 during a competition held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on July 13, Thursday night.
Nikki De Moura, 19, from Cagayan de Oro, emerged victorious among 29 other contestants in the beauty pageant, which has a noble goal of advocating for peace and denouncing any forms of violence.
De Moura will represent the Philippines at the 2023 Miss Grand International beauty pageant in Vietnam on Oct. 25.
During the final Q&A portion of the pageant, De Moura was asked by one of the judges: "If you were given the chance to come up with your own slogan to promote the Philippines, what would it be and why?"
The beauty queen answered: "It would be to love the Philippines. I think being a Brazilian and Filipina, it makes me love both cultures, both heritages. Two different traditions. And so I am proud to say that I love the Philippines despite having its flaws."
De Moura was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She moved to the Philippines five years ago. At 14, De Moura won her first pageant at the Miss Governor's Cup South 2018. She was then crowned Miss Teen Philippines 2019. She was only 17 years old when she participated in SuperModel Me Season and finished first runner-up.
Other winners in the pageant were Michelle Arceo, Reina Hispano Americana Filipinas; Herlene Nicol Budol, Miss Philippines Tourism, and Francis Reyes, Miss Eco Teen Philippines.
Shannon Tampon was named first runner-up while Charie Sergio was second runner-up.
The Philippines has yet to win a Miss Grand International crown since its inception in 2013.
