SPEECH writer Nicole Cordoves of the Philippines almost clinched the Miss Grand International 2016 title before winning first runner-up at the pageant’s coronation night on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) at the Westgate International Theater in Las Vegas, Nevada.
During the question-and-answer portion, the top five candidates were asked to choose between US presidential candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton for help in stopping war and violence.
Cordoves chose Trump and got booed by the audience.
But amid the jeers the 24-year-old beauty queen continued: “What if we use his voice to actually do good for the world? What if we use that to our advantage? That’s why let’s keep the peace and let Donald Trump switch to our side to stop the war and violence.”
Only Cordoves and Miss USA Michelle Leon chose Trump and both were booed by the audience, while the candidates from Puerto Rico, Thailand and Indonesia chose Clinton.
Miss Indonesia Ariska Putri Pertiw won the title while Miss USA placed third.