PUERTO PRINCESA - Tessa le Conge of the Netherlands was crowned Miss Asia Pacific International 2016, while the Philippines' Ganiel Krishnan placed second runner-up in a pageant held in Puerto Princesa, Palawan Wednesday evening.

Krishnan, a Filipino-Indian college student and former courtside reporter, finished behind Conge and Thailand's Chawanya Thanomwong, who was named first runner-up.

Krishnan, 22, was gunning to become the fifth Filipina to win the title for the country, following Ma. Del Carmen Ines Zaragoza (1982), Gloria Dimayacyac (1983), Lorna Legaspi (1989), and Michelle Aldana (1993).

Rounding up the top five of this year's edition of the Manila-based pageant were Cook Islands' Felicia George and South Korea's Soyeon Kim.

In the final interview round, Conge was asked on how she would promote the pageant's advocacy of "Beauty in Diversity."

"I think nowadays it's really sad to see so much negativity in the world because you see people doesn't really respect each other," she said. "And I would like to show people what you can do with a good light in your heart. So spread some positivity in this negativity [filled] world, and show people what you can do with a good heart."

The coronation night was held at the Sheridan Beach Resort and Spa in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. Formerly Miss Asia Quest, the Manila-based Miss Asia Pacific International aims to promote Philippine tourism overseas.