“I’m incredibly proud of how far I’ve come.”

Alyssa Redondo made this statement on Wednesday as she looked back on her journey as a beauty queen.

The Philippine representative finished second runner-up in Miss Intercontinental 2024, on top of getting two special awards: Power of Beauty and Best in Swimsuit.

In an Instagram post, Redondo admitted that she felt she could have done better during the pageant’s question and answer round.

Nevertheless, she considers her second runner-up placement as a “major accomplishment.”

“In all honesty, I’ve been quite hard on myself because I know I could have performed better in my Q&A,” she said. “However, I can confidently say that I gave my best effort and have proven to myself that I’m capable of achieving anything I set my mind to as someone who is new to the pageant world.”

“At the end of the day, bringing home a crown to my home country is an indescribable feeling, and I hope Filipinos around the world share in the pride of this achievement,” she added.

Redondo went on to describe her pageant journey as one of “self-discovery and constant improvement,” saying each experience “helped shape me into a stronger, more confident version of myself.”

“From a shy girl who was always afraid of public speaking, even in school, to a confident woman who now embraces every opportunity to shine, both in her career and personal life,” she said, thanking all those who have supported and believed in her.

Maria Cepero of Puerto Rico was crowned Miss Intercontinental 2024, with the pageant held in Egypt earlier this month.

The Philippines currently has two Miss Intercontinental titleholders: Cindy Obenita (2021) and Karen Gallman (2018).

Miss Intercontinental 2024 second runner-up Alyssa Redondo. Redondo/Instagram