Actress Megan Young made history on September 28 by becoming the first Filipina to clinch the elusive Miss World crown, 63 years after the pageant’s inauguration.

PEP.ph reports that Megan, an early favorite in the pageant, had beaten 126 other candidates from around the world to nab the top spot. She got the highest scores in the Top Model and the preliminary competitions, and she likewise placed fifth in the Beach Fashion contest and fourth in the Multimedia competition.

In the final part of the pageant, the top six finalists were asked about why they deserve to win the Miss World title. In her winning answer, Megan expressed her determination to use the core values of humanity in her quest to help others.

"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," she responded.

France’s Marine Lorphelin was proclaimed first runner-up, while Ghana’s Naa Okailey Shooter placed third. Completing the top 10 are the candidates from Australia, Brazil, England, Gibraltar, Indonesia, Jamaica, Nepal, and Spain.

Prior to Megan’s win, Evangeline Pascual had only managed to clinch the First Princess (the first runner-up) title in 1973, and Gwendoline Ruais repeated the feat in 2011. Actress Ruffa Gutierrez won the Second Princess (second runner-up) title in 1993.

(Screencap via YouTube)