Miss World title for the Philippines finally!!

Megan Lynne Young, a 23-year-old Filipina actress and TV host, gave the Philippines its very first Miss World title since the country started sending candidates in 1966! She bested other 126 candidates in a glittery ceremony held last night in Bali, Indonesia, September 28, 2013.

Young is currently taking up Digital Film making at De La Salle-College of St. Benilde. As an actress, she already appeared on several Philippine TV shows and films and was last seen in television soap opera, Misibis Bay, via TV 5.

Megan Young of the Philippines is the 63rd Miss World title holder and the 

first Filipina to win the title

With Megan's win, the Philippines made history as the first country to win all six major beauty pageants in the world: Miss Universe, Miss International, Miss World, Miss Earth, Miss Tourism Queen International and Miss Supranational. Philippines became also the third (after Brazil and Venezuela) and only Asian country to have won titles in the Big Four International Beauty Pageants: Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss Earth and Miss International.

Miss Philippines Megan Young hugged by the outgoing Miss World, Yu Wenxia of China

shortly after the Filipina beauty was announced as the winner, providing the Philippines

with its very first Miss World title since the country's debut in the pageant in 1966!

Megan Young was born in Alexandria, Virginia in the US to an American father and a Filipino mother (from Olongapo City), she lived there until she was 10 years old then moved to the Philippines for good. She joined the Philippine showbiz in 2005. She has a younger sister who is also in showbiz, Lauren Young.

Up to 2012, the Miss World remains the only international beauty title that has not yet won by the Philippines, there were three Philippine delegates made it to the top 3 in the history of the pageant, Evangeline Pascual in 1973 who placed first runner-up, Ruffa Gutierrez in 1993, placed second runner-up and Gwen Ruais in 2011 who placed first runner-up also but never the most coveted crown. The Philippines had two Miss Universe title holders, four Miss International and one each for Miss Earth, Miss Queen Tourism International and Miss Supranational.

Miss World was established in 1951 but the Philippines started sending candidates to the pageant only in 1966. It was believed that the Philippine franchise holders for Miss World since 1960s had been exerting effort helping the Philippine delegates to make it big in the Miss World providing all kinds of support they could give but then maybe the time for the country to win the crown has not yet come until 2013.

Despite her very little time of preparation (Megan Young won the Miss Philippines-World in August 18, 2013 and three weeks later, she was on her way to Indonesia), the 5'8 stunner from Olongapo City showed how her mind and body conditioned to join the contest.

The pretty actress represented the country very well with poise, elegance and grace, excelling in all challenge activities during the pre-pageant shows, she earlier won the Top Model Category, placed fourth in the Multimedia category and fifth in the Beach Fashion Balinese style. Megan placed first in the preliminary judging garnering the highest score ahead of the other nine finalists.

Megan Young told the crowd "I'll promise to be the best Miss World ever"

This year's Miss World pageant however drew controversies when protesters criticized the hosting of the pageant in the highly conservative Muslim country, it was originally planned to held in Jakarta but due to security threats the organizers decided to move it to a Hindu-dominated island of Bali. In respect to Indonesia's culture, and in order to abide with Muslim's tradition of not allowing women to show too much flesh, the organizers omitted the most anticipated category in the beauty pageant, the Swimsuit competition, it was replaced with Beach Fashion where candidates wore one piece beach suit covered with sarong or a large cloth sheet. It was also the first time that the world did not see beauty contestants ramp off with their bikinis on stage.

The 10 finalists were trimmed down to 5 with one spot reserved for the People's Choice winner, making them 6 finalists all in all. They were given only one question in the finals: "Why you should be chosen as the next Miss World?"

Megan's answer:

"I treasure the core value of humanity and that guides her into understanding people, why they act the way that they do, how they're living their lives, and I will use these core values in my understanding, not only in helping others, but to show other people how they can understand others, to help others, so that as one together, we shall help society".

Miss Philippines Megan Young, shortly after being crowned as the 63rd Miss World

in Nusa Dua, on the island resort of Bali in Indonesia. She was flanked by her 

runners-up, Miss Ghana Carranzar Naa Okailey Shooter and Miss France Marine Lorphelin

Megan will serve the Miss World organization for one year as its ambassador of peace and humanity, she will most likely live in London where the main head quarter of the organization is located.

The panel of judges of this year's Miss World tilt came from diverse background and field of expertise, from producers, directors, designers, musicians, statesmen and political figures. Miss World pageant was founded by British Philanthropist, Eric Morley. He was regularly seen on stage announcing the winners, when he died in 2000, his wife, Julia Morley, took over and now the organization's president.

Congratulations Megan Young and thank you for providing the Philippines with its very first Miss World crown!

Sources: Yahoo! News, Hollywood Life and NY Daily News, photos from Reuters and Associated Press.