NIKKI de Moura from Cagayan de Oro was crowned Miss Grand Philippines 2023 on Thursday night.

A Filipina-Brazilian, 19-year-old De Moura emerged victorious among 29 other candidates from various provinces and municipalities in the Philippines at the pageant that was held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Nikki De Moura from Cagayan de Oro City PHOTO COURTESY OF MISS GRAND PHILIPPINES

Throughout the competition, De Moura stood as one of the four frontrunners, and also achieved the special titles of Miss Philippine Airlines, Miss Bench, Miss Photogenic, and one of Skin Element's five brand ambassadors earlier in the evening.

With the win, De Moura has now become the first representative of the Philippines for Miss Grand International under the ALV Pageant Circle. The country's franchise for Miss Grand International was previously held by Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc.

Prior to her victory as Miss Grand Philippines, De Moura held the title of Miss Teen Philippines in 2019, when she was only 15 years old. Then, at the age of 17 in 2021, she participated in the Asia-wide reality modeling competition "Supermodel Me," where placed second.

Meanwhile, the national pageant also announced three additional titleholders. They are Binibining Pilipinas 2022 first runner-up Herlene Budol, Miss Environment Philippines 2021 Michelle Arceo, and Miss Elite Philippines 2022 Shanon Tampon.

The other winners are Miss Grand second runner-up Charie Manalo Sergio of Caluya, Antique, Miss Grand first runner-up Shanon Tampon of Caloocan, Miss Eco Teen Philippines Francine Reyes of Tarlac and Miss Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas Michelle Arceo of Bagumbayan, Quezon City.

All the winners will receive corresponding cash prizes, a management contract with the ALV Pageant Circle, as well as movie deals with Octo Arts Films and ALV Films.

De Moura will represent the Philippines at the Miss Grand International 2023 competition, which will be held in Vietnam on October 25.