Karen Gallman makes history as first Filipina winner of Miss Intercontinental

ABS-CBN News
Posted at Jan 27 2019 12:30 AM | Updated as of Jan 27 2019 01:46 AM

Karen Gallman becomes the first Filipina to win the Miss Intercontinental pageant this Saturday. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News

When asked to define success, she said it's all about setting goals and working hard to achieve them.

And it's going to be very difficult to argue against Karen Gallman's philosophy after she was crowned Miss Intercontinental 2018 — the first-ever Filipina to win the title in the pageant's 47-year history.

She won after preaching about the importance of being focused when it comes to becoming successful, saying during the Q&A round: "For me, success is not just about winning in life."

"It is about setting goals, achieving your dreams, working hard for everything you want, and always looking up to God and be thankful for everything. For me, that is success," she said.

She defeated a strong challenge from Costa Rica's Adriana Alvarado and Slovak Republic's Laura Longauerova, who both drew loud applause for their answers on the same topic.

Alvarado, who argued that being "100%" certain about what we want in life constitutes success, ended up finishing first runner-up.

Longauerova, who placed second runner-up, answered that success is looking into a mirror every morning and being proud.

Representatives from Colombia, Vietnam, and Ethiopia rounded up the top six of the coronation night, which was held at Mall of Asia Arena Saturday night.

This is the first time the Philippines won Miss Intercontinental, ending one of the longest droughts in an international beauty contest for the pageant-crazed country.

Saturday's pageant was the 47th edition of Miss Intercontinental.

Gallman is a Filipino-Australian who is pushing for better education for poor kids living in rural areas of the country.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/01/27/19/karen-gallman-makes-history-as-first-filipina-winner-of-miss-intercontinental