Miss Haiti Raquel Pelissier Is Part Filipino!

The Miss Universe pageant just concluded today, and there is a new Miss Universe in the form of France’s Iris Mittenaere!

…And to my beloved Iris, I am sure you will be a great miss universe. I believe in you???????? @irismittenaeremf #iamhaiti #haitianpride #haiti #missuniverse #confidentlybeautiful #missuniverso #misshaiti #65thmissuniverse #misshaitiuniverse #missuniverse2016 ???? : @fernandomarin1053

A photo posted by Raquel Pelissier (@raquelpelissier) on Jan 29, 2017 at 11:11pm PST

Miss Haiti’s Raquel Pelissier won as first runner-up, who gave an emotional answer in the finals’ Q&A portion.

I wish I could reply to everybody . I couldnt go that far if it wasnt for you. I wanna thank everyone who followed my journey and supported me . Thank you for giving me the opportunity to represent our beloved Haiti . My dream was to show the world that Haiti is Here and Haiti is worth it!! I feel so blessed to acheive that today???????????????? #iamhaiti #haitianpride #haiti #missuniverse #confidentlybeautiful #missuniverso #misshaiti #65thmissuniverse #misshaitiuniverse #missuniverse2016

A photo posted by Raquel Pelissier (@raquelpelissier) on Jan 29, 2017 at 11:09pm PST

But did you know that Raquel is actually part Filipina? Her great-grandmother is of Filipino descent!

So in a way, we can probably say that she’s made her Filipino ancestors proud with her win.

Raquel holds a masters degree in Scientific Research in Optometry and Vision, and can speak five languages — English, French, Spanish, German, and Haitian Creole!

Check out more of her photos:

So happy to arrive safely in Baguio. Thank you so much for my little gift. This beautiful scarf has been handweaved by the locals . I love it ???? #missuniverse #confidentlybeautiful #missuniverso #misshaiti #65thmissuniverse #misshaitiuniverse #missuniverse2016

A photo posted by Raquel Pelissier (@raquelpelissier) on Jan 17, 2017 at 8:05pm PST

But do they ever show you that side of Haiti ? #myhaitiisbeautiful #paradiseonearth ???????? Photographer: @fredericgeorges Hair & Makeup: @mattidomingue Swimwear : @attitudebylory Location: @moulinsurmer Styling: @chrispuesan #MSM2016

A photo posted by Raquel Pelissier (@raquelpelissier) on Dec 26, 2016 at 2:52pm PST

Thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments!