The 59th Miss International 2019 held its coronation night on November 12 at the Tokyo Dome City Hall.

One of the highlights of the prestigious event was Miss International PH 2019 Patch Magtanong’s speech to the question, “Why should women live in fear of harassment, violence and discrimination when basic human decency calls for respect, tolerance and compassion?”:

https://twitter.com/doreenlicosss/status/1194170555882061824

“When I was younger, I found it strange that I was subjected to different standards as other boys my age. When I got older and even more so when I became a lawyer, I began to question these standards and challenge them. Why should women live in fear of harassment, violence, and discrimination when basic human decency calls for respect, tolerance, and compassion? To cheer all women means to support all women regardless of race, religion, or background. But not only this. It also means to remove the barriers that prevent women from realizing their full potential. Miss International does this by fostering a global culture of women empowerment and gender equality, and through this platform, we can ensure that no woman anytime, anywhere is left behind.”

But as much as Pinoy netizens were rooting for Lawyer & Model Patch Magtanong to snatch the 7th Miss International crown of the country (the last was Kylie Versoza in 2016), she fell short, placing Top 8.

Thailand’s Sireethorn Leearamwat was reigned Miss International 2019.

View this post on Instagram

Thailand’s Sireethorn Leearamwat is #MissInternational2019! Photo by @shotaise This is Thailand’s first ever crown! History was made! #MissInternational #59thMissInternational #CheerAllWomen

A post shared by MISS INTERNATIONAL (@missinternationalofficial) on Nov 12, 2019 at 12:53am PST

So the internet, being passionate as ever, took to Twitter to express their heartache over the results:

#PA7CH deserves atleast runner up #MissInternational2019 ?? pic.twitter.com/fweBaIv4V8

— Sperm Whale ? (@JhanBaybay) November 12, 2019

https://twitter.com/marchpls/status/1194171513257095168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1194171513257095168&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cosmo.ph%2Fentertainment%2Fnetizens-twitter-patch-magtanong-miss-international-2019-a1031-20191112

Congrats to Miss Thailand, but what's upsetting is that Miss Philippines deserves the title or a place in the top 5 when she had the best answer out of all these girls. Miss Philippines and Miss Indonesia are totally robbed. #MissInternational2019 #PA7CH https://t.co/0frjhsdU6N

— markybaby (@markcorales_) November 12, 2019

While majority remained supportive:

Patch Magtanong may not bag the title as Miss International 2019 or even a runner up but maybe she is meant for Miss Universe. Continue to Raise the Flag, Atty. ???#MissInternational2019 pic.twitter.com/UbbmlNhEtX

— sha (@biyayahh) November 12, 2019

Patch Magtanong gave us the answer that we all need not only for women but for the equality of all. An answer that has substance, intelligence, and authenticity but MI discounted that for no possible reason. Still Congrats Atty. Patch! We r so proud of u! #MissInternational2019

— Gigi (@iambvlgary) November 12, 2019

Gracefully accepting defeat. Im such a fan Atty. Patch Magtanong! Philippines! ???#MissInternational2019 pic.twitter.com/tGQ3osYjMq

— Gerald (@radhernandez) November 12, 2019

Queen Patch later on went to Instagram to share her thoughts about the 3-week training for the Miss International 2019, stating that she was expecting it to be emotionally draining then eventually proving herself wrong — revealing that it was the “most amazing cultural experience” of her life.

View this post on Instagram

I came to Miss International expecting 3 weeks of stress, anxiety and ruthless competition with ultra competitive ladies who were nothing like me. Instead, I got the most amazing cultural experience of my life, and friendships to last for a lifetime. ⁣ ⁣ I believe I was able to maximize my time here in Miss International. I grew so much, I learned more about the world and other cultures than I ever have before and I experienced Japan in a way I never would have gotten to if I didn’t join this pageant. Most of all, I had a whole lot of fun! ?⁣ ⁣ I will carry my Miss International journey with me my entire life, and I will never forget the beautiful souls I met along the way. I didn’t expect to connect so deeply with so many of my sisters, because we come from different countries, but it was so easy, and every person I talked to, I felt so at home.⁣ ⁣ The crown is still waiting for its new queen, but I already feel like I’ve won. Thank you to everybody supporting me, to my entire country, and beyond it. It’s been an honor representing the Philippines, and today is the day! Please say a little prayer for me! ☺️?????⁣ ⁣ #59thMissInternational #MissInternational2019 #MissInternationalPhilippines2019 #PurpleRibbon #PurpleRibbonCampaign #パープルリボン #CheerAllWomen #MissInternational #ミスインターナショナル #MissPhotogenicInternational

A post shared by Patch Magtanong ?? (@patchmag) on Nov 11, 2019 at 7:06pm PST

She also posted congratulatory comments on Miss International 2019 Sireethorn Leearamwat’s Instagram post.

View this post on Instagram

Being Miss International 2019 is the best thing in my life. However love & friendship among 82sisters around the world is more important. I’m so lucky to be with ALL of you on the stage. ❤??

A post shared by BINT SIREETHORN ? (@bintsireethorn) on Nov 12, 2019 at 3:47pm PST

We love women who support women!

Robbed of the crown or not, no woman is left behind. You’re still our Atty./Queen Patch! #PA7CH ??