Leren Bautista Finishes As The Second Runner-Up At The Miss Globe Competition

Congratulations, Leren!

The 26-year-old finished the Miss Globe 2019 competition held in the beautiful coastal destination of Ulcinj, Montenegro as its second runner-up, with the crown eventually being passed on to Mexico's Alejandra Díaz de León. The coronation night took place last October 21 (Montenegro time).

Though her dream of becoming the country's third Miss Globe titleholder wasn't realized, Leren Bautista still acknowledged all the great experiences and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities the journey had blessed her with. 

Days after the competition, Leren took to Instagram and wrote, "They say love is sweeter the second time around. To be able to represent the Philippines in an international pageant is one proud moment - being able to do so again is another story. I am honored and grateful to have been crowned Binibining Pilipinas Globe, and even more humbled to represent the Philippines in the Miss Globe 2019 pageant."

"I stand on the shoulder of giants - the Filipinos who have supported me from day one! The outpour of love is overwhelming and I couldn't place the right words to say in expressing how happy I am to have represented the Philippines and carry our nation's colors at a global platform. I love you all, and this journey was such an amazing one made even more extraordinary by all of your love. Mabuhay!" she continued. 

The Laguna-based beauty ended the heartfelt post by saying that she had no regrets and believes that God has a different plan for her that's simply waiting to be realized. 

Aside from elevating the status of the Miss Globe competition in the international pageant arena, it's also worth noting that the marketing management graduate decided to take up the challenge of pageantry for other reasons: to advocate against bullying and to prove that unconventional beauty could be worthy of the world stage.

In the months leading up to the competition, Leren had openly shared stories about her childhood—that she had been relentlessly teased for towering above her peers (she stands at a proud 5'8") and having mocha-hued skin (an asset that many Filipina morenas these days are proud, and not ashamed, of). 

By going onstage and confidently being herself, dusky complexion and all, Leren believed that she could be a positive role model for girls and young women in need of a confidence boost. (She even released a short video about this last summer. Watch it below). 

Leren was crowned Bb. Pilipinas Globe 2019 alongside Miss Universe Philippines 2019 Gazini Ganados, Bb. Pilipinas International 2019 Bea Patricia "Patch" Magtanong, Bb. Pilipinas Supranational 2019 Resham Ramirez Saeed, Bb. Pilipinas Grand International Samantha Ashley Lo, and Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental 2019 Emma Mary Tiglao. 

She was one of the first in her batch of queens to compete and signals a strong start for this year's pageant winner hopefuls. 

To learn more about Leren and her fellow queens, read their stories today on Metro.Style. 

Photos from @lerenmaebautista