Philippines once again almost got another crown following the winning of Chantal Elise Schmidt as 1st runner up during the Miss Eco International 2024.
At the coronation night held in Egypt, Angelina Usanova of Ukraine got the crown, succeeding Nguyen Thanh Ha of Vietnam.
Included in the Final Five were Nikita Dani of Canada as the 2nd runner-up, Fabiane Alcarde Goia of Brazil as the 3rd runner-up, and Valerie Avril of Indonesia as the 4th runner-up.
Philippines' Schmidt also bagged the best in national costume, flaunting the grandeur of her garb inspired by Masskara Festival of Bacolod, Schmidt's hometown.
Despite her medical concerns, Schmidt managed to win the Best in Evening Gown during the preliminary rounds as she wore a delicately embellished silver gown designed by Val Taguba.
On Instagram, Schmidt shared that she was rushed to the hospital the morning before the preliminary competition.
"I was in the hospital in Fayoum that same morning, vomiting and hurling my guts up. I want to thank the @missecointernational organization for the quick action. If it had not been for their sense of urgency (I was taken to the hospital within minutes of reporting to them), I would not have been able to compete last night," she wrote on her Instagram post.
"I had to be hooked up to an IV (I have a phobia of needles) and laid in that hospital bed rethinking everything. I knew I didn't want to go home with unfinished business. Upon returning to the hotel, I told myself that I would be competing that night, regardless of how I felt," she added.
Aside from the Miss Eco International Organization, Schmidt also expressed her gratitude to her team.
Following her success, Empire PH's The Miss Philippines, the current franchise holder of the Miss Eco International brand in the country, congratulated her on her successful international pageant stint.
"Despite suffering a health setback in your journey, you decided to push on through sheer will and dedication. We couldn't ask for more. Congratulations on winning Miss Eco International 2024 1st runner up, and thank you for representing the country so well, Chantal. You made us proud, and you will forever be our #MissEcoInternaChantal," the Miss Philippines wrote on their social media.
Photo Courtesy : GMA News Online / THEMISSPHILIPPINES/EMPIRETV.PH/INSTAGRAM
#WeTakeAStand #OpinYon #MissEcoInternational2024 #ChantalEliseSchmidt