Brazil’s Luma Russo bested 37 candidates and became the first-ever Miss Charm International. The pageant took place in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam last Friday. Philippine bet Annabell McDonnell grabbed the first runner up spot, while Indonesia’s Olivia Tan placed second runner up.
The Top 3 candidates were revealed through a live painting done on stage by a draftsman.
In the final Q&A round, all top three contenders were asked the same question. “Every morning when you wake up, what do you think is the meaning of life? What are you living for?”
McDonnell highlighted the value of helping one another, as well as her aspiration of inspiring the youth.
“The meaning of life is to give help to one another. It is all about putting the community first before oneself. I’ve learned this growing up as an orphan and I’ve certainly learned this more being with all the Vietnamese people tonight,” she said.
McDonnell continued to say, “I think that the purpose of my life is to be of help to one another. In the struggles on the youth I see myself and I relate to them. I hope with my success here tonight, they see themselves in me and they believe in themselves more because of me.”
On the other hand, Brazil’s bet spoke of the importance of freedom.
“If I have to sum it up in one word: freedom,” Russo said. “Freedom, being able to travel where you want to, be who you want, do what you want, be the woman you are meant to be, follow your dreams….To be able to achieve the knowledge, not only academically but the knowledge of culture, of emotional intelligence, to be able to reach your full potential.”
McDonnell was chosen to represent the Philippines in the Miss Charm pageant after she placed first runner-up at the Miss Universe Philippines 2022 pageant.