Malacañang on Thursday congratulated Miss Philippines Janine Mari Tugonon for winning first runner up in the 2012 Miss Universe pageant in Las Vegas.

Palace deputy spokesman Abigail Valte said that Filipinos are proud of Tugonon even if she was not able to clinch the crown.

“In the hearts of our countrymen, she is our winner, our Miss Philippines,”Valte said, adding that by winning first runner-up, Tugonon held up the country’s banner and showed the world, once again, the good qualities that Filipinas possess.

“I think what’s important here is that whether she won third place or second place, she showed everybody that you know, the grace, the sophistication and really the charm and the beauty of the Filipinas. It’s not important whether she won Miss Universe or first [place] or second place; it’s important that she represented us well,” she added.

Valte stressed that “from her winning as Binibining Pilipinas to representing our proud nation on the stage of Miss Universe, the Filipino people have supported Ms. Tugonon throughout her journey and in the hearts of our countrymen; she is our winner, our Miss Philippines,” also noting how proud the Philippines is of Tugonon.

“With the victory of Ms. Tugonon, we find even more proof of the exceptional characteristics Filipinas and Filipinos to be truly world class,” she added.