The 2013 Miss International pageant was held on December 17th at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel in Tokyo. The 14-person judging panel included Seiko Noda, chairperson of the Liberal Democratic Party's General Affairs Committee; Akie Abe, wife of the Prime Minister; Ryohei Miyata, president of Tokyo University of the Arts; art directors Mitsuo Katsui and Junko Koshino. After judging by national costume and swimsuit, the special awards were announced. The "Miss National Costume" award went to Erialda Josaine Croes, representing Alba, who graced the pageant in a green carnival costume. Koshino commented, "The national costume judging felt like an Olympics of beauty, reminiscent of 2020. The key to selecting Miss International is to be healthy, cheerful, and able to contribute to the world while remaining true to one's own unique style." Other winners who were also recognized were Adela Ka-Wai SOU of Macau, who was selected as Miss Internet by online voting, and Elma Segzdaviciute of Lithuania, who was selected as Miss Photogenic by reporters at the press conference on the 9th. The contestants then changed into evening gowns and performed a group dance to Mariah Carey's "I'll be There," holding bouquets of roses. Fifteen semi-finalists were selected, but Yukiko Takahashi of Japan, who appeared in a green evening gown, was eliminated. The five finalists, selected after a walking competition, gave 30-second speeches. Bea Rose Santiago of the Philippines, who said she wanted to "spread a message of hope to the world," was crowned Miss International 2013. Bea is 23 years old and enjoys traveling and diving. She also has a strong interest in charity work. Second place went to Nathalie den Dekker of the Netherlands, and third place went to Casey Radley of New Zealand, who also won Miss Friendship, a title voted for by fellow Misses.