A beauty from the Philippines won first runner-up honors in a pageant where the world’s most beautiful women paraded in bikinis and ball gowns.

Miss Philippines Janine Tugonon, a 23-year-old licensed pharmacist from Orion, Bataan province, came in second, while 20-year-old Olivia Culpo brought the Miss Universe crown back to the United States for the first time in more than a decade.

Tugonon’s first runner-up finish marked the third straight year that the Philippines finished in the pageant’s Top 5.

Last year’s representative, Shamcey Supsup, placed fourth, while Venus Raj finished fifth in 2010.

In Manila, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said that by winning first runner-up honors, Tugonon “held up the country’s banner and showed the world, once again, the grace, sophistication and beauty that Filipinas possess.”

“We find even more proof of the exceptional characteristics of Filipinas and Filipinos to be truly world-class,” Valte said.

Vice President Jejomar Binay said Tugonon’s runner-up honors represented a “triumph for the Filipino people.”

Gown blamed for loss

Online message boards devoted to pageants were abuzz with comments about the pageant’s results.

Remarks from not a few netizens protested the outcome and said the Filipino beauty should have won the pageant. Some were disappointed with the evening gown she wore and blamed the garment for Tugonon’s loss to Culpo.

The pageant was beamed live to more than 100 countries.

Tugonon is expected to arrive in Manila on Saturday.

Read more about Tugonon's childhood here.

(Photos: Reuters, AFP)