TOKYO - Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa's win was not an overnight success as it required a year-long professional training and overhaul of how she presented herself, her personality development trainer revealed a day after her coronation here.

Aside from toning her figure, fixing her posture, and preparing for the question and answer portion, she was also asked by her mentors to learn about Japanese ways.

"We asked Kylie to research about Japanese culture, traditions, even the bowing and other courtesy practices here," Arnold Mercado, her personality development trainer at Aces & Queens, told ABS-CBN News.

"She also had to learn a little Niponggo," Mercado said.

THE FACE
The 24-year-old beauty queen also had to do away with the heavy and bold make-up usually used during pageants, Mercado said.

"She had to tone down her make-up because they prefer very light and minimal make-up here," he said.

"Her make-up during her daily activities was very natural-looking because that is what the judges want," he added.

THE WARDROBE
The choice of what Verzosa had to wear - from OOTDs, to swimsuits and gowns - were also down to a science.

• LOOK: Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa in bikini

The make-up and hairstyles she donned during the entire competition had to match all her outfits, Mercado said.

"We opted for an evening gown that is not too sexy because they are looking for elegant, sophisticated women," he said.

THE ANSWER
But since beauty pageants are always looking for something more than what meets the eye, Verzosa also had to prepare for the question and answer round.

"They used to look for doll-like women, but this year, there was greater emphasis on the speech portion," Mercado said.

"If you noticed, all those who made it to the top five spoke well. They are looking for women who are not just beautiful but who has brains and who can speak well," he said.

Mercado said this was an easy endeavor for the Philippines' representative as he described Verzosa as a "very natural and smart young lady."

The top 15 finalists were each given a minute to give a speech and Verzosa opted to discuss the importance of culture and international understanding.

"If I become Miss International 2016, I will devote myself to cultural understanding and international understanding because I believe that it is in developing in each of us sensitivity to other cultures that we expand our horizons, tolerate difference and appreciate diversity. All these enables us to achieve international understanding and I believe I am prepared to take on this responsibility," Verzosa said during the last portion that earned her the much-coveted crown.

• WATCH: Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa's winning speech

"She prepared for that speech. Without any bias, her speech was the best," Mercado said.

Verzosa's win marked the 6th Miss International crown for the Philippines.

--- with reports from Christian Esguerra, ABS-CBN News.