Myrna Esguerra capped her long-awaited Miss International 2025 journey with a strong finish as fourth runner-up — a culmination of more than a year of preparation, waiting, and steady growth since she earned the right to represent the Philippines. While her hard work clearly paid off, her journey was not without unexpected challenges.

During a press conference on Friday, December 5, Esguerra revealed that the biggest hurdle she faced was going through coronation night on an empty stomach.

“I [wish] kumain ako. Because iyon talaga ang challenge na na-encounter ko that day of the coronation night. I woke up at 4 am., and until the end of the coronation night, wala akong kinain,” she said.

(I wish I had eaten. Because that was really the challenge I faced on coronation night. I woke up at 4 am, and until the end of the coronation night, I didn’t eat anything.)

She recalled feeling her body weaken during the announcement of the Top 20.

“So if you noticed, when I was called into the Top 20, my legs went weak. It was my body reacting. It was the effect of not having eaten. But the adrenaline kept me going. It’s really hard to compete on an empty stomach. If I could turn back time, I would definitely eat a lot on the day of the coronation night,” the Abra beauty queen said in a mix of English and Filipino. 

Handling pressure and reflecting on her performance

As with anyone in any high-stakes competition, the 24-year-old stunner was ridden with pressure to follow in the footsteps of past Filipino Miss International queens. But it was “good pressure” nonetheless — having received support from these crowned beauty queens through it all.

“It’s good pressure naman,” she shared. “During my journey in Miss International, sobrang importante na to have a good vision and a good inspiration kung saan ka papunta. And Ate Kylie [Verzosa] was really someone I looked up to, so medyo siya rin yung naging guide ko,” she reflected.

(It’s a good kind of pressure. During my Miss International journey, it was really important to have a clear vision and strong inspiration about where you’re headed. And Ate Kylie Verzosa was someone I really looked up to, so she also became my guide.)

“And it’s not just Kylie. Miss Lara Quigaman. She’s so sweet. She’s so supportive. Ate Bea [Rose Santiago], Ate Hannah [Arnold], Ate Patch [Magtanong], Angelica [Lopez], and Nicole [Borromeo]. Halos lahat ng Miss International from previous years. They really kept me going and guided me on what I should do. Sobrang laki ng pasasalamat ko sa kanila,” she added.

(And it’s not just Kylie. Miss Lara Quigaman is so sweet and supportive. Ate Bea [Rose Santiago], Ate Hannah [Arnold], Ate Patch [Magtanong], Angelica [Lopez], and Nicole [Borromeo] — almost all the Miss International titleholders from previous years. They really kept me going and guided me on what I needed to do. I’m extremely grateful to them.)

Looking back, Esguerra admitted she wished she could redo her final question-and-answer.

“So if I could change something, it would be my final question and answer kasi sobrang lapit na e (because it was so close). Sad nga. But it’s God’s plan. It’s God’s will. And I always pray that whatever God’s will, I hope that it could happen. And I pray that it should happen. So everything went according to His plan, not mine. So I’m still grateful, always grateful for everything that God has given me,” she highlighted.

During the final Q&A, she was asked to describe her entire Miss International experience to her family and loved ones.

“I will tell my mama that I just gained 79 more siblings among my 16 siblings back home. Miss International taught me to be selfless, and it taught me the value of having friends from all around the world. And I’m so grateful for this opportunity because I learned to help everyone in here, everyone who needs my help,” she answered during the coronation night.

Career and family

Moving forward, Esguerra said she intends to savor her Miss International 2025 journey before focusing on her career and family.

“Hihinga muna. Grabe kasi yung moment. Andami nilang plan for me. So for now, I will really focus on my career. Since after I graduated [from] college, I was tasked to represent the Philippines in Miss International. So that’s all I did,” she explained.

(I’ll take a breather first. The moment was really overwhelming. They have so many plans for me. So for now, I will really focus on my career. After I graduated from college, I was tasked with representing the Philippines in Miss International, and that’s all I did.)

Esguerra, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Tourism Management, specializing in Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE), said she now plans to pursue a career aligned with her field of study.

Esguerra also expressed her deep gratitude to her supporters and said she hopes to reconnect with the people who guided her throughout her journey.

“Sobrang laki ng pasasalamat ko to everyone today. And also, babalikan ko siguro yung mga tumulong sa akin in Mindanao and Cebu. Sina Coach Doodz from Dale Carnegie, sina Miss Eleanor. A lot of people na babalikan ko. So ‘yun muna ang focus ko after,” said Esguerra.

(I’m extremely grateful to everyone today. I also plan to reconnect with those who helped me in Mindanao and Cebu — Coach Doodz from Dale Carnegie, Miss Eleanor, and many others. That will be my main focus afterward.)

Esguerra finished as the 4th runner-up in this year’s Miss International pageant. Colombia’s Catalina Duque Abréu was crowned Miss International 2025, while Indonesia’s Melliza Xaviera Yulian placed third runner-up. Bolivia’s Paola Guzmán secured the second runner-up spot, and Zimbabwe’s Yollanda Chimbarami was named first runner-up. – Alfon Cabanilla/Rappler.com

Alfon Cabanilla is a Rappler intern studying AB Communication at Ateneo de Manila University.