Philippines’ Pearl Hung is Miss Global 3rd runner-up.@ABSCBNNews @TFCNewsNow pic.twitter.com/qI1wmYsqud

— Rhea Soco Neis (@rheasoco_neis) January 18, 2024

PHNOM PENH -- (UPDATE) Palaweña beauty queen Pearl Hung won the third runner-up title for Miss Global 2023 held in Phnom Penh Cambodia on Thursday night.

The 30-year-old beauty queen gave her all-out performance at the finale, showcasing her sportswear and evening gown along with 69 other contestants from around the world. Filipinos traveled all the way from the Philippines and even from other countries to show their support.

Hung first landed in the Top 20, and then the Top 12, with Cambodia taking the 13th spot in a surprise twist during the pageant. They battled it out in the question-and-answer portion before the Final 5 were chosen.

The Filipina was given the question: "How do you define true happiness and how can we achieve it?"

She answered: "True happiness for me is about empowering other people. It is about the transformation that you can share as you become -- because we cannot give what we do not have, we cannot share what we do not experience."

"That is such a fulfilling thing to do. And for me, that is success," she added. "And always remember to always live with passion and purpose. Sending love and light to the world."

The Final 5 once again went through a Q&A portion to determine who would be crowned as Miss Global 2023. Each of them received envelopes containing a quote, where they had to give their message.

Hung got a quote from Maya Angelou that said: "If you’re always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be."

She responded: "I believe that growth is infinite and we are all infinite beings with amazing intelligence in our lives. If you try to be normal, you cannot get that wisdom in your life that you need to unleash your fullest potential. As an orphan of the age of 3, I have turned my pain into power and it's because I have seen it, the darkness that happened in my life."

"I have seen the light at the end of the tunnel and so I am embodying triumph over adversity -- as someone who is transformational coach in my country and [who] now is ready to take on the global journey with Miss Global 2023."

In the end, the Filipina beauty queen was declared third runner-up. Fourth runner-up was Miss Vietnam Đoàn Thu Thủy, second runner-up was Miss Thailand Chonnikarn Supittayaporn, first runner-up was Miss Samoa Haylani Pearl Kuruppu, and Miss Puerto Rico Ashley Melendez was crowned as Miss Global 2023.

"It feels so amazing and I feel so grateful kasi andito tayo ngayon. Imagine out of 70 candidates and this is just my second pageant na ginawa sa life ko ever, and nandito tayo sa third runner-up," Hung said. "I am very, very grateful to be here na knowing that we've experienced a lot, sobrang dami talaga that will really challenge you as a person. And more than that I know that I have given you the best performance that I can."

"And sabi ko nga, isu-surrender ko na lang kung anong ibigay sa akin. Alam ko na ang lahat na 'yun ay may purpose, but masaya ako kasi masayang-masaya 'yung mga kasama nating mga Pilipino. Talagang kung ako, masasabi kong it's really a hundred percent," she added.

When asked what she plans to do after her Miss Global stint, Hung replied: "Since I am a published author of two books, I want to write more books. And I know that this journey has deepened my understanding and widened my perspective, knowing na from different cultures and different kinds of 'yung mga pinagdadaanan sa buhay ng mga kasama natin."

"I'm very excited for us na mag-ikot din sa school," she continued. "I was actually with the great and amazing big universities in the Philippines, to talk sa schools nila, pero hindi ako nakapag-yes. Pero ngayon iikot po ako ng Pilipinas para mag-talk sa mga estudyante, magkaroon ng empowerment."

Miss Global 2022 Shane Tormes also showcased her talent in singing prior to her final walk. She expressed her admiration for Hung's dedication in winning the pageant.

"She did her best. Sabi ko nga sa kanya being at the backstage, she was kind of nervous and I told her just to enjoy na lang kasi it's actually her gift na lang to herself," she recalled. "We've been in the competition for almost 18 days, traveling [around] Vietnam and Cambodia, and I think sabi ko sa kanya na you have proven enough."

"I know she really did her best for the Philippines," she stressed.

As to what she thinks about Hung's Q&A performance, Tormes said: "It was very heartfelt kasi nakilala ko naman din siya prior to her competition. Siya talaga 'yun. It was her personal experience, it was her story that she shared, and I'm very happy kasi nakita ko spontaneous siya sumagot kasi parang galing 'yun sa puso."

The Miss Global Organization will announce the winner of Best in National Costume on Saturday, January 20.

• How Miss Global PH Pearl Hung recovered from family tragedy
• PH bet Pearl Hung shines in Miss Global 2023 prelim events