The Philippines' Bea Patricia "Patch" Magtanong, a 25-year-old lawyer and model, was nearly named the winner of the 2019 Miss International pageant on Tuesday.

Magtanong addressed the issue of gender equality, saying that no woman should be "left behind," in her speech during the final round of the pageant, but fell short of an official Top 5 placing.

"Why should women live in fear of harassment, violence, and discrimination when basic human decency calls for respect, tolerance and compassion?" Magtanong asked.

"To cheer all women means to support all women regardless of the race, religion or background. But not only this, it also means to remove the barriers that prevent women from realizing their full potential," she explained.

• READ: Patch Magtanong’s Miss International 2019 speech

Magtanong finished in the Top 8, with the crown ultimately being handed to Sireethorn Leearamwat, the first-ever winner from Thailand.

Mexico's Andrea Toscano was named first runner-up, followed by Uganda's Evelyn Namatovu, Colombia's Maria Alejandra Vengoechea, and United Kingdom's Harriotte Lane.

The pageant's coronation night was held at the Tokyo Dome City Hall in Japan on Tuesday, and was livestreamed on YouTube and on Facebook. It dominated social media in the Philippines.

Magtanong was aiming to win the seventh Miss International crown for the Philippines after Kylie Verzosa in 2016.

Her predecessor, Ahtisa Manalo, finished first runner-up in last year’s edition of the pageant.