Meiji Aculana Cruz from the Philippines was crowned Miss CosmoWorld 2022 at the pageant finals held at The St Regis Kuala Lumpur on November 30, 2022.
The 28-year-old TV/event host and brand ambassador beat 21 other delegates from different countries for the crown.
She also bagged the Miss Healthy subsidiary title.
Uzbekistan’s Amaliya Shakirova, 27, was the first runner-up while Thailand’s Onnapun Na Chiangmai, 26, was placed second runner-up.
Along with her crown, Cruz won a whopping prize money of USD100,000 sponsored by GETBATS – the biggest cash prizes in the pageant history. In all, she received grand total of cash and other prizes worth RM1,055,000.
“I’m so grateful and glad that finally I had my crowning moment.
“I’ve been into pageantry since I was young, I experienced setbacks and heartbreaks and I’m so blessed to finally get an international title,” said Cruz, who was Binibining Pilipinas (Miss Philippines) 2021 second runner-up.
She added, “I have a wider platform now to promote my advocacy about women empowerment and access to quality education in my country and all over the world.”
Cruz revealed that she is planning to use the USD100,000 cash prize to show gratitude in giving back to her family and the community
“I will give back to my family and to the community. My mom has been working overseas for almost half of my life to support us. Now, is the perfect time to have our business startups with Miss CosmoWorld sponsors and to have our sustainable livelihood.
“Moreover, I am working on partnership with a non-government organization in the Philippines that focuses on children and their education.
“Being educated changed the course of my life. It opened so many opportunities to achieve my dreams and I want to give that kind of opportunity to others as well,” said Cruz, a graduate of three bachelor degrees and currently pursuing her master’s degree.
When asked what she sees herself doing after winning this pageant, Cruz said, “It would be a fruitful reign. I would like to maximize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to improve myself and to be able to help others. I know it’s just the beginning of so many wonderful things ahead, personally and professionally. I’m glad to be working with Ms. Carrie, I look up to her and she is an epitome of an empowered woman and for sure I will learn a lot from her.”
Cruz is a TV host/anchor in the government network, People’s Television Network. She hosted her solo shows like Beyond Letters, One DA sa TV, and co-hosted morning show, Rise and Shine Pilipinas.
“I do event hosting too, mostly pageants nationwide. I am also a brand ambassador, working with different brands in the Philippines for online and event activations.”
The ambitious lady explained that she does not give up and is always striving to achieve something through her determination and perseverance.
“When I was young, I aspire to be a TV host and beauty queen. And now, I am blessed to achieve it with perseverance and determination. Now, my ambition is to inspire, help and encourage others to never give up on their dreams. My favourite quote says, ‘The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams – Eleanor Roosevelt’.
Cruz loves reading fictions and self-help, and she also enjoys what she loves doing the most – Yoga.
“I’m a yoga practitioner. Yoga helped me a lot and I am into its philosophy. I was actually planning to have a yoga retreat in India but I can say, the universe had a different plan and God gave me a crown first instead. Retreat next year then.”
There were also 14 subsidiary titles awarded that night. Four of the subsidiary titles were won by Angela Looi from Malaysia (Miss Glamorous, Miss Beautiful Smile, Miss Congeniality and Miss Elegant),
Miss CosmoWorld founder Carrie Lee said that the international pageant was founded in 2017 with an aim to promote women’s empowerment, independence and leadership.
“Through this pageant we want to drive delegates towards independence and leadership by furnishing them with key information on entrepreneurship to improve their potential for business success,” she said.
The pageant is organized by CL Skin, together with its cash sponsors GETBATS; Platinum sponsors – Melife Gobal, TDOX Clinic and IPS; and Gold sponsors – Tiao, MMuse, Belle & Rose and CC Journey Capsule.
MISS COSMOWORLD 2022 OFFICIAL RESULTS
Winner: Meiji Aculana Cruz – Philippines (Prize worth RM1,055,000)
1st Runner Up: Amaliya Shakirova – Uzbekistan (Prize worth RM367,659)
2nd Runner Up: Onnapun Na Chiangmai – Thailand (Prize worth RM290,660)
Subsidiary Titles
1. Miss Personality: Chobotar Olena – Ukraine
2. Miss Charming: Nguyen Thi Ngoc Tuyet – Vietnam
3. Miss Beautiful Smile: Angela Looi – Malaysia
4. Miss Popularity: Onnapun Na Chiangmai – Thailand
5. Miss Perfect Body: Miho Sugawara – Japan
6. Miss Healthy: Meiji Aculana Cruz – Philippines
7. Miss Talent: Bibimariyam Duisembekova – Kazakhstan
8. Miss Glamorous: Angela Looi – Malaysia
9. Best National Costume: Zahra Amalina – Indonesia
10. Miss Elegant: Angela Looi – Malaysia
11. Miss Photogenic: Theresa Hoff Hansen – Norway
12. Miss Congeniality: Angela Looi – Malaysia
13. Miss Courageous: Shen Yehua – China
14. Best Creativity: Amaliya Shakirova – Uzbekistan, Chobotar Elena – Ukraine
