It was eye-candy galore at the Singapore Women's Association's (SWA) 38th Annual Charity Dinner on July 14 as 12 beautiful ladies vied for the title of Miss Singapore International 2012.

Marketing executive Leong Ying Mae, 22, took home the crown after winning the judges over with her poise and confidence in the Q&A segment. She also won the subsidiary titles of Miss Popularity and Miss Photogenic.

Graced by Mdm Halimah Yacob, Minister of State for Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS), the Miss Singapore International pageant was held at the Raffles Town Club this year, and has been the highlight of the annual dinner since its inauguration in 1975.

The winner will represent Singapore as Goodwill Ambassador in the Miss International World Pageant 2012, which will take place in Okinawa, Japan.

Themed "Fiesta Night", the finalists paraded alongside 2011's queen Stella Kae, in a colourful array of feathery costumes, swimwear, and elegant cocktail dresses.

Of her win, Leong says she is "honoured and proud" to have won, and she is excited as it will be the first time she will be travelling to Japan.

And anyone hoping to hear stories of backstage cat-fighting among pageant contestants will be sorely disappointed.

Leong said all 12 finalists bonded together and were a tight-knit bunch, and they "will be seeing more of each other as friends" after the competition. 

Coming in first runner-up position was pharmaceutical sales executive, Christina Ng, 24, who also bagged two other subsidiary titles Miss Body Beautiful and Miss Personality.

Second runner-up went to freelance artist Shine Koh, 23, who was also crowned Miss Elegance.

"Beauty with Heart" is the core message and value of the Miss Singapore International pageant, as the young women who came forward to participate in the pageant would at the same time also be doing their bit for charity.

The SWA is a non-profit and non-government organization and has been involved in countless fundraising efforts.

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