MANILA - "Sa lahat ng nag-vote kaya ako nanalo sa polls, thank you," actress Jessy Mendiola said after it was revealed that she was leading the online poll for the "FHM 100 Sexiest Women in the World 2016" a day before voting closes.

"It just proves na there are all kinds of sexy," added the 23-year-old mestiza beauty, who shot to fame following her title role in the 2013 remake of Mexican telenovela "Maria Mercedes."

Yesterday's look for @nadinetengco 's sexy book cover pictorial. ❤️ thank you @chinitohosikusieho @rjdelacruz @icavillanueva @marbentalanay 💋💋💋 #latepost

A photo posted by Jessy Mendiola (@senorita_jessy) on Jun 7, 2016 at 8:25pm PDT

Mendiola, who overtook "On the Wings of Love" star Nadine Lustre to claim the top spot, explained that her "win" meant that Filipinos now have a new definition for the word "sexy."

"Hindi na lang physical ang sexy, nasa personality to at sa pagkatao na. Lahat tayo sexy, iba iba lang," she said.

(READ: 10 reasons why Jessy should be FHM's 'sexiest')

Lustre dropped to number two in the polls, ahead of last year's winner Jennylyn Mercado.

Her huge jump from 49th place in 2015 may be attributed to the popularity boost she received after the successful run of the prime time series "On the Wings of Love."

Lustre's feat, however, attracted controversy after her boyfriend and onscreen partner James Reid, who said that he disapproved of Lustre posing for sexy photo shoots, reacted negatively to the news.