Megan sets Twitter, blog sites ablaze

More than 16 hours since she was crowned Miss World, Miss Philippines Megan Young continued to trend on Twitter, with congratulatory posts pouring in by the minute.

The new Miss World bested 126 contestants in the much-anticipated finale in Bali, Indonesia on Saturday evening.

Among the first to congratulate Young was Ruffa Gutierrez, actress and Miss World second runner-up in 1993.

Blessing in disguise

The former beauty queen said she was proud and happy for the young actress. “Blessing in disguise that she wasn’t accepted at Binibining Pilipinas…Our very first Miss World!! Well deserved!” Gutierrez said on the social networking site.

Before joining Miss World Philippines, Young applied for Bb Pilipinas but was allegedly disqualified because of a sexy photo shoot for a local magazine.

Amid such issues, reigning Binibining Pilipinas Ariella Arida, who will represent the country in the Miss Universe competition in November, was among the well-wishers on Twitter.

Precious Lara Quigaman, 2005 Miss International, joined in the congratulatory fever and posted a photo of the newly-crowned Young as the Philippines’ “first ever Miss World!”

Fellow beauty queens Miriam Quiambao and Janine Tugonon also congratulated Young, whose Twitter handle is @meganbata.

It was the first time for the Philippines to bag the title of Miss World, considered the oldest international beauty pageant.

With Young’s win, the Philippines has joined Brazil and Venezuela in having winners for each of the “Big Four” pageants: Miss World, Miss Universe, Miss International and Miss Earth.

Politicians and government officials were also quick to share their thoughts on Twitter and with media.

“Congratulations Miss Philippines, Megan Young for bagging 2013 Miss World! Another Filipino pride!” Senator JV Ejercito said.

“Yup, it’s a good morning” was former Bayan Muna representative Teddy Casiño reply to a news report on Young’s win.

Radyo Inquirer 990AM quoted Communications Secretary Ramon Carandang saying, in behalf of the Palace, that Young’s victory showed the rest of the world what Filipinos can do. /Inquirer