Top photo shows newly-crowned Miss Tourism International 2012/13 Rizzini Alexis Gomez (center) with her runners-up from (left to right) Paraguay, Australia, Venezuela and Malaysia. Lower photos show her during crowning.

Miss Philippines Rizzini Alexis Gomez being crowned MTI 2012/13 by last year's winner Aileen Gabriella Robinson.

What a way to welcome 2013 for the Philippines in the international beauty pageant scene!

Mutya ng Pilipinas – Tourism International 2012 Rizzini Alexis Gomez is now Miss Tourism International 2012/2013 after she bested 55 other delegates for the title during the finals held at the Grand Ballroom of Sunway Resort & Spa. It is the Philippines’ second victory in the Kuala Lumpur-based beauty competition after Esperanza Manzano grabbed the very first back in 2000. She was crowned by last year’s winner Aileen Gabriella Robinson of Malaysia.

Her runners-up include Monika Radulovic of Australia, Marielis Alejandra Castellanos Perez of Venezuela, Lourdes Maria del Carmen Motta Rolon of Paraguay and Jun Yong Wan Jun of Malaysia, in that order.

After a failed attempt at Binibining Pilipinas last April, and a semifinal placement in Miss World Philippines two months later, it appears that Rizzini’s best fortune is with Mutya. The Cebuana Registered Nurse will come home to the Philippines an international winner no less. Spending Christmas and New Year away from home proved to be well worth it indeed!

Hooray to our new international beauty queen!

Congratulations, Rizzini! Mabuhay ka! 😀