PAGEANT Circle

USA's Janelis Leyba was crowned Miss Asia Pacific International 2024 on Monday, October 7 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Pasay City, Philippines. The 20-year-old model and student from New York City beat over 30 other contestants to become the first representative from the United States of America to win the international title. Karen Sofia Nuñez of Mexico was named first runner-up while Selena Ali of Belgium, Blessa Ericha Figueroa of the Philippines, and Jennifer Prokop of Germany were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. The rest of the Top 10 finalists were Mya Bao of Canada, Katharina Weischede of New Zealand, Wanja Jennifer Grace Olsson of Sweden, Kanyaphatsaphon Rungrueang of Thailand, and Anh Vuong Pham Thi of Vietnam. Completing the Top 20 were Gabriela De Paiva Padilla of Bolivia, Luisa Valentina Muñoz Ruiz of Colombia, Julie Goye Dogan of France, Keshia Lee Llarenas of Guam, Mercedes Pair of Hong Kong, Sophiya Singh of India, Merel van Roon

The Miss Asia Pacific International pageant is set to return after a 5-year hiatus according to the latest announcement of the organization. "After five years, we're so excited to come back and share the stage with you! Be part of the moment when we celebrate our uniqueness together once again," posted on its official social media page. The competition was last held in 2019 with Spain's Chaiyenne Huisman winning the crown at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Pasay City, Philippines. This year's event, Miss Asia Pacific International 2024, is scheduled for October 7 in Manila. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Asia Pacific Int'l (@missasiapacificintl) Photos: Miss Asia Pacific International / Instagram

Fabiola Calvo has been officially announced as Miss Asia Pacific Costa Rica 2024 and will represent her country at the next Miss Asia Pacific International competition. The 28-year-old is a professional nurse, entrepreneur, activist, and health advocate. She is no stranger to pageantry, having placed in the Top 10 at Miss Costa Rica 2016 and Top 5 at Miss Costa Rica 2023. Fabiola also held the title Miss America Latina Costa Rica 2019 and went on to compete in Miss America Latina 2019 where she placed in the Top 5. It has yet to be announced when and where the next Miss Asia Pacific International edition will be held. The international pageant was last held in 2019 with Spain's Chaiyenne Huisman winning the title in Pasay City, Philippines. Costa Rica's representative, Fiorella Cortez Arbenz, placed as fourth runner-up among 54 contestants. The new Miss Asia Pacific Costa Rica is passionate about social service and social work. She founded Nursing Care Givers, a nonprofit organ