Simply beautiful Megan... Miss World 2013

Note: Credits to the rightful owners of the photos grabbed online.

Finally, the Philippines has won the elusive “blue crown” with the crowning of Miss Megan Lynne Young as Miss World 2013 during the grand finale of Miss World 2013 in Nusa Dua, Bali resort island, September 28, 2013.

The first time I saw Megan, I knew she would make it. And true enough, leading beauty pageant sites, Missosology and Global Beauties, put Megan at the helm of their respective Leaderboards, predicting her victory days prior to the coronation night.

The 23-year-old beauty queen from Olongapo will go down in the annals of the Philippine pageant as the first ever Filipina to win the Miss World title, breaking the popular urban legend which originated in the 70s that no Filipina will ever get the blue crown.  “The said legend can be traced back in 1977 when Peachy Veneracion made the curse after she was forced to withdraw from the pageant at the time. Since then, despite the Philippines successful finish in Miss Universe and other international beauty tilts, the Miss World crown has been elusive until 36 years later.”

A defining moment for Megan's winning the crown was her answer to the final question, "Why should you be Miss World?" Megan answered: "I treasure a core value of humanity and that guides people why they act the way they do. I will use this to show other people how they can understand each other as one, we can help society."

Miss World 2012 Yu Wenxia crowned Megan who promised to “the best Miss World ever”. Miss Ghana Carranzar Naa Okailey Shooter and Miss France Marine Lorphelin placed third and second, respectively. A total of 127 countries participated in the 63^rd Edition of Miss World. Originally planned to be held in the Indonesian capital city, the venue was later moved to Bali due to protests from Muslim hardliners and fears that extremist groups could try to disrupt the event.

It took forty-six years for the Philippines to get the first Miss World crown since its very first entry in 1966. The closest and highest placements the Philippines got before was Gwendoline Ruais who placed second to Ivian Sarcos of Venezuela in 2011, Sharmaine "Ruffa" Gutierrez who placed 2nd runner-up to Lisa Hanna of Jamaica in 1993, and Evangeline Pascual who placed second to Marjorie Wallace of the United States of America in 1973.

Megan’s victory made the Philippines as the only country in the world to conquer the five grand slam beauty pageants:

Miss Universe - 2 (1969, 1973)
Miss World - 1 (2013)
Miss International - 4 (1964, 1970, 1979, 2005)
Miss Earth - 1 (2008)
Miss Tourism Queen International - 1 (2006)
Miss Supranational - 1 (2013)

Congratulations, Megan Lynne Young! You make us very proud and inspired. Be blessing and inspiration to all peoples of the world. God bless you!

Miss World 2014 will take place in London in November.

Complete Results of the Miss World 2013 Pageant:

Winner: Miss Philippines Megan Lynn Young 

1st Runner-Up: Miss France Marine Lorphelin

2nd Runner-Up: Miss Ghana Carazzar Shooter

Top 5

Miss Brazil Sancler Frantz

Miss Spain Elena Ibarria

People's Choice: Miss Gibraltar Maroua Kharbouch

Top 6

France, Philippines, Ghana, Brazil, Spain and Gibraltar

Top 10

Miss Australia Erin Holland

Miss England Kirsty Heslewood

Miss Indonesia Vania Larissa

Miss Jamaica Gina Hargitay

Miss Nepal Ishani Shrestha

People's Choice — Miss Gibraltar Maroua Kharbouch

Beauty with a Purpose — Miss Nepal

Beach Fashion — Miss Brazil

Top Model — Miss Philippines

Social Media Award — Miss India

Best in Talent — Miss Indonesia

Megan’s Message after the Pageant

Seems like only yesterday that I was flying out to Bali, Indonesia to represent the Philippines and show the world what I had. And now, at the foot of my bed, I see the Miss World sash. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine to be in this position. Never did I think of myself to be worthy of such an honor. But the paths that I've chosen have proven me wrong

This year will be an amazing one. I can already feel the good vibes and positive energy and I can't wait to start planning for things so that you can witness my journey as well.

I don't know where I would be without the people who have come and gone in my life, and the people that have come and stayed as well. Every single moment that I had with them, whether it was just a simple hello or a big thing that happened in my life, the way I act and think is all because of these people and life lessons.

Thank you for the happiness, thank you for the tears, thank you for the heart to heart talks, thank you for the heartbreak, thank you for the hugs, thank you for being mean to me, thank you for understanding, thank you for misunderstanding, thank you for caring, thank you for not giving a damn, thank you for the love and affection. Thank you, thank you thank you.

This isn't only for the people close to my heart. This is also for the people who have witnessed my journey and became a part of it through support. Thank you. Maraming salamat sa mga Pilipino na sumuporta. Mahal na mahal ko kayo. Sana maging inspirasyon ako sa inyo. Samahan niyo ako sa aking lakbay bilang bagong Miss World 2013.

This isn't the end of the journey. It is only the beginning.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Miss-World-Philippines/432199386812477

Post-pageant photos here: http://missosology.org/missworld/news/item/2218-post-coronation-video-and-photos

Reliable Sources of Information:

http://www.missworld.com/

http://ph.omg.yahoo.com/news/megan-young-wins-miss-world-2013-135409661.html

http://globalbeauties.com/world/2013/09/28/philippines-confirms-favoritism-and-wins-its-first-miss-world-with-megan-young/

http://missosology.org/missworld/news/item/2214-miss-world-2013-is-megan-young-of-the-philippines

http://carloocarloo.wordpress.com/2013/09/29/the-philippines-wins-her-very-first-miss-world-crown/