Miss Universe 2012 (1st Runner-Up)

Janine Tugonon

On 19 December 2012, Tugonon finished first runner-up to Miss Universe 2012, Olivia Culpo of Rhode Island, USA, at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

She was asked this question via Twitter and read by judge Nigel Barker: "As an international ambassador, do you believe that speaking English should be a prerequisite to being Miss Universe? Why or why not?"

She replied: "For me, being Miss Universe is not just about knowing how to speak a specific language. It's being able to influence and inspire other people. So whatever language you have, as long as your heart is to serve and you have a strong mind to show people then you can be Miss Universe."

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Janine Mari Raymundo Tugonon (born 19 October 1989 in Orion, Bataan) is a Filipino beauty pageant titleholder who holds the title Miss Universe-Philippines 2012 and placed first runner-up in the Miss Universe 2012 pageant. She also placed first runner-up in Binibining Pilipinas 2011, where her roommate, Shamcey Supsup, won.

Tugonon finished her Pharmacy degree with Latin honors (Cum Laude) at the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas in Manila and became a Licensed Pharmacist in June 2010. Tugonon also attended the Ballet School of Manila as a ballet protégé while attending university.

In 2010, Tugonon was titled Miss Pharmacy and Miss Thomasian Personality 2010 at the University of Santo Tomas.

In 2011, Tugonon was first runner-up candidate in the Binibining Pilipinas pageant. Following this defeat, Tugonon competed again in 2012 and won the title Miss Universe-Philippines, enabling her to compete and represent the Philippines in the Miss Universe 2012 pageant.

After winning the Miss Universe-Philippines title, Tugonon admitted that her family had mixed views on her decision to join the Binibining Pilipinas pageant for a second time. Hours after the pageant, Tugonon attributed her victory to God. “My Savior fought and won the battle for me,” she said on Twitter. The beauty queen also turned to the microblogging site to thank her friends and supporters.

On 19 December 2012, Tugonon finished first runner-up to Miss Universe 2012, Olivia Culpo of Rhode Island, USA, at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

Tugonon used to be in a relationship with non-showbiz boyfriend, Jaypee Santos. The two broke up in March 2013 after Tugonon reportedly began communicating with The Script's frontman, Danny O'Donoghue after their Manila concert that month.

Tugonon, together with Santos, appeared in ABS-CBN's "KrisTV" in April 2013 where she admitted to being a huge fan of The Script as well as her break up with Santos due to her communication with O'Donoghue, after host Kris Aquino publicly embarrassed Santos in front of the camera. However, Tugonon denied having a relationship with the singer and that the break up was only for the purpose of "thinking things over". Nevertheless, Tugonon received a lot of criticisms from netizens over her actions towards Santos on national television.

For referral and further details, email Richard at Richard_Ariz_Lao@yahoo.com

For Miss Philippines Earth USA entry, download the attachment below, then email the Entry Form to Bradford at Bradford_Adkins@yahoo.com

Send email also to MissPhilippinesEarthUSA@yahoo.com or MissPhilippinesEarthUSAWestCoast@yahoo.com