Power of Beauty

 MNP InterContinental 2025 queen returns home triumphant from international competition

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte

Mutya ng Pilipinas InterContinental 2025 Christina Vanhefflin of Leyte flew back to Manila, after a victorious turn at the 53rd Miss InterContinental in Hurgada, Egypt where she won the prestigous Power of Beauty distinction, aside from being declared 4th runner-up to eventual winner from Russia. Her homecoming reception unfolded at the Penthouse of the CWC Design Center in Makati City.

Christina called her stint in Egypt as a blessing. “I particularly enjoyed our outing where we visited a mall and we bonded and started understanding our cultural differences.

“I became close with the delegates from Slovak Republic and South Africa, but I also talked with the rest of the delegates. I’ll miss Egypt, my queen sisters, and the food. I learned so many things in Hurgada, the venue of our pageant in Egypt,” shared the 20-year-old Waray beauty queen.

One of Christina’s photographs on the Mutya ng Pilipinas page has amassed a whooping 6.9 million views (and still counting). The numbers just kept growing after she placed in Egypt.

“We did it Philippines! The competition was tough. Yet, despite being a neophyte, Christina made it to the Top 7; as well as winning the Power of Beauty award that we also won last year with Mutya ng Pilipinas InterContinental 2024 Arianna Redondo. The MNP organization is the bridge toward the fulfilment of dreams,” enthused MNP president Cory Quirino in her keynote speech.

“I think the judges liked me for staying true to myself. It was cold in Egypt and I was constantly freezing so I was under the weather sometime before the finals, but I recovered fast!

“Vying in an international stage is not easy. You’ll be needing a lot of support! No matter the circumstances, know yourself and be yourself,” advised the young titleholder, who was glowing in an amethyst back-baring gown from Louis Pangilinan.

She learned that her home province is also preparing for a homecoming parade.

“Ten years ago, I bought the Mutya pageant system because I believed in its advocacy of helping streetchildren stay off the streets and earn a living. MNP has acquired the rights to the Top Model of the World franchise, an affiliate company of the Miss InterContinental,” revealed MNP owner Fred Yuson.

Aside from its existing license to the World Top Model search, they now have another modeling focused title.

The MNP organization is inviting aspirants to get in touch with them starting August for the 2026 pageant season. The national pageant is slated some time in November, with segments of the competition to happen in Davao. The organization is also planning to host another Miss InterContinental search, after the country’s initial hosting in 2018.