Philippines' Chantal Schmidt is Miss Eco International 2024 first runner-up
Philippine bet Chantal Elise Schmidt is the first runner-up at the Miss Eco International 2024 on Sunday, April 28.
The Miss Philippines organization shared the news on social media, saying that despite Chantal's health issues, the beauty queen continued to wave the flag of the country on the international stage.
"Despite suffering a health setback in your journey, you decided to push on through sheer will and dedication. We couldn't ask for more," the caption read.
"Congratulations on winning Miss Eco International 2024 1st Runner-up, and thank you for representing the country so well, Chantal. You have made us proud, and you will forever be our #MissEcoInternaChantal," it added.
In addition to being a runner-up, Chantal won the Best in National Costume award for her attire depicting the MassKara Festival, a prominent festival in the country. The costume was designed by Chino Christopherson, based in Bacolod.
Despite being rushed to the hospital on the morning of the preliminary competition, the Cebuana beauty queen also bagged the Best in Evening Gown award during the pageant's preliminary round wearing her fully sequined evening gown with side cut-outs, high slit, and silver embellishments designed by Val Taguba.
Chantal was aiming to become the third Miss Eco International from the Philippines, following in the footsteps of Kathleen Paton in 2022 and Cynthia Thomalla in 2018.
Angelina Usanova from Ukraine was named Miss Eco International 2024, besting over 40 candidates to succeed Vietnam's Nguyen Thanh Ha.
Meanwhile, Nikita Dani from Canada won the second runner-up, Fabiane Alcarde Goia of Brazil was the third Runner-up, and Indonesia's Valerie Avril was hailed as the fourth runner-up.