MISS WORLD PHILIPPINES 2017: AT THE HOMESTRETCH (CONCLUSION)

CANDIDATE 25:  Karren Dela.  East Asians may find her features appealing, but they are not highly regarded in our shores.  Rating: 7.

CANDIDATE 26:  Janela Joy Cuaton.  She previously won a title two years ago at Mutya ng Pilipinas as she was Mutya ng Pilipinas – Tourism International, and she competed in the pageant staged in Vietnam and garnered 1st runner-up.  That track record would make a compelling argument why she’s worthy of garnering the plum Miss World Philippines title.  She also has a devoted fanbase and thus far she figured in three fast-track events:  Beach Beauty, Top Model, and Multimedia.  I think garnering a title seems secure for her–the question is, would it be the plum title?  Rating: 9.5.

CANDIDATE 27:  Ella Eiveren Lubag.  She has an edge in the Talent competition with her violin playing skills.  There is also merit in her very Chinese features.  Even if she didn’t win the Talent fast-track, she has a good chance of advancing to the semifinals.  Rating: 8.5.

CANDIDATE 28:  Sheila Marie Reyes.  She’s attractive, but her features are not by cup of tea.  She made the Talent shortlist with her contemporary dance routine.  Rating: 8.

CANDIDATE 29:  Krystie Anne Gongjanco.  Her features would be too exotic for many tastes.  But it seems her key strong qualities are her gab (since she’s raised in the US) and her background in web design.  Still, it seems she fell short in Multimedia, so this is probably as far as she can go.  Rating: 7.

CANDIDATE 30:  Kathleen Gomez.  She could be a possible usurper for the Reina Hispanoamerica title as she is half-Spanish.  But though her features are appealing in these shores, they don’t really appeal much elsewhere.  Rating: 8.

CANDIDATE 31:  Jeanyfer Ozbot.  She has the looks to be a shoo-in for the semifinals, and she figured in both Beach Beauty and Talent (with her indigenous dance).  I don’t really foresee her winning a title, but it’s highly possible she can garner a runner-up position.  Rating: 9.

CANDIDATE 32:  Cynthia Thomalla.  She stuns pageant fans and pundits with her striking beauty, a cross between two celebrity Annes–Anne Hathaway and our very own Anne Curtis.  Arguably the prettiest face of this year’s batch, she looks like a lock for one of the titles–the only question is if it’s going to be the plum prize.  She figured in three fast-track events:  Beach Beauty, Top Model, and Sports.  Another lady who is a lock for a title, but of course the question remains–will she get the plum one?  Rating: 9.5.

Anne Hathaway (L) (image sourced from deadline.com) and Anne Curtis (R) (image sourced from Cosmo.ph)

CANDIDATE 33:  Noelle Uy-Tuazon.  Living in the US seems to indicate she has an edge in communication skills, and she has an interesting career:  forensic anthropology.  Her Asian looks again has its appeal and adherents, and the mix of judges that like this sort of looks would probably be the key for her to advance.  Rating:  8.

CANDIDATE 34:  Andrea Poliquit.  She’s another attractive looker, though she hasn’t made a standout impression.  In general she can be considered a worthwhile contender.  Rating: 8.

CANDIDATE 35:  Sophia Senoron.  She is shortlisted in Multimedia, and that could be her ticket for advancing, as otherwise she’s drowned by the sterling group out there.  Rating:  7.5.

Swimsuit Press Presentation images courtesy of Joy Arguil for Normannorman.com, all others courtesy of Miss World Philippines Organization unless otherwise indicated.

As is customary, I will now declare my “Fearful” Forecast, as follows:

TITLEHOLDERS:  9 (Winwyn), 15 (Laura), 26 (Janela), 32 (Cynthia).

RUNNERS-UP:  6 (Jona), 31 (Jeanyfer)

SEMIFINALISTS:  1 (Shawntel), 3 (Glyssa), 5 (Kaycie Lyn), 11 (Gabriela), 20 (Trizha), 21 (Tanya), 22 (Chelsea), 23 (Princess), 27 (Ella)

BUBBLING UNDER:  8 (Nikki), 12 (KC), 13 (Kathryn), 14 (Cristina), 24 (Zara), 33 (Noelle)

The Miss World Philippines title is expected to be a four way battle among Winwyn Marquez, Laura Lehmann, Janela Cuaton, and Cynthia Thomalla.  Each of these ladies have compelling qualities worthy of winning the plum prize, and it looks like it will be a nail-biting fight to the finish.  It’s a good thing there are three other titles now at stake so there is at least a consolation that the other three would at least get to compete internationally, albeit with “lesser” titles.

The four likeliest (L-R, top to bottom): Winwyn Marquez, Laura Lehmann, Janela Cuaton, Cynthia Thomalla (images courtesy of Edmund Chua for OPMB Worldwide)

The reigning Miss World, Puerto Rico’s Stephanie del Valle, and her continental queens, along with Miss World president Julia Morley, are present to attend the coronation night.  I actually welcome their presence though I notice the Filipino netizens still hurling virtual vitriol at their presence.  As much as I join in the sentiment about Catriona’s outcome last December, this kind of conduct is uncalled for.  I know it’s bittersweet for many fans to see these people in our shores, but I still have faith in the possibility that things will swing again in our favor and win our second Miss World crown.  Anyway I’m looking forward to what promises to be an exciting edition of Miss World Philippines.

JUST ME!

JOSEPH

Miss World, her continental queens and Julia Morley, from L-R: Miss World – Asia Natasha Mannuella (Indonesia), Miss World – Caribbean Yaritza Reyes (Dominican Republic), Miss World 2016 Stephanie del Valle, Julia Morley, Miss World – Oceania Madeline Cowe (Australia), Miss World – Europe Letty Frans (Belgium), and Miss World – Americas Audra Mari (United States) (Image courtesy of Noli Berioso for OPMB Worldwide)

Presenting the new Miss World Philippines crown: MWPO COO Mark Bessie Besana, MWPO National Director Arnold Vegafria, Miss World 2013 Megan Young, Miss World Philippines 2012 Quenerich Rehman, Miss World Philippines 2014 Valerie Weigmann, and Miss World Philippines 2015 Hilarie Parungao (image courtesy of Rappler.com)

 

 

 

MISS WORLD PHILIPPINES 2017: AT THE HOMESTRETCH (PART 2)

CANDIDATE 13:  Kathryn Jade Cudiamat.  For many Filipinos, her girl-next-door mestiza features are highly appealing.  Will that be enough for her to advance to the Top 15?  Rating: 8.

CANDIDATE 14:  Cristina Marie Coloma.  She’s actually a great looking native lady who deserves more notice than what she’s getting right now.  Rating:  8.

CANDIDATE 15:  Laura Lehmann.  This Bb. Pilipinas 2014 1st runner-up was deemed by most pageant fans and pundits as perhaps the one to beat.  But it seems as the activities wore on her status as the “chosen one” is less assured as it seems, as she figured in only two challenge events, Multimedia and Top Model.  But no one can discount her highly regarded gift of gab, which bodes well with the crucial interview rounds.  I’m still betting on her to win, though there are a few more great choices closely nipping at her heels–unlike in previous editions where there is one clear winner, this is looking like a toss-up among four major contenders.  Rating:  9.5.

CANDIDATE 16:  Ethel Abellanosa.  Her native features may appeal for those who have more exotic tastes, though most Filipino fans are fixated towards fairer types.  She made the Sports shortlists.  Would that be enough for her to advance?  Rating:  8.

CANDIDATE 17:  Jellie Alliana Escandon.  She is mestiza but well, there are some harsh angles and some might quibble about her gap teeth.  She looked her best at the Zalora fashion show thus far.  She also has a great human interest angle as she’s a vitiligo sufferer and considering she’s raised overseas, and the high premium we tend to put towards strong English skills, those could be her tickets to advance.  Rating: 7.5.

CANDIDATE 18:  Christine Angel Alvaira.  Her figure is on the skinny side, but at least her key edge is that she’s one of the tallest in this year’s batch at 5’10”.  With a little more polish she can go far, but at this point… Rating: 7.5.

CANDIDATE 19:  Joanna Marie Rabe.  She is actually good looking, but not quite delivering on charisma at this point.  At least she made the Sports shortlist.  Rating: 8.

CANDIDATE 20:  Trizha Ocampo.  Her features remind me of a major titleholder–Miss Universe Philippines 2014 MJ Lastimosa.  I was wondering why there isn’t an intense hype machine for this lady like the famously devoted fans that MJ has?  But then again, considering she figured in Multimedia, she probably also has a strong fanbase.  Rating: 8.5.

Miss Universe Philippines 2014 MJ Lastimosa (courtesy of Miss Universe Organization)

CANDIDATE 21:  Netania Deveza.  She’s the joint tallest candidate in this year’s group at 5’10” with Christine Alvaira.  She facially may not be the cup of tea of many, but many pageant fans and pundits take notice about her lean, trim model’s figure.  Hard to believe she’s only 17 years old.  She has strong potential for future modeling and/or pageant forays.  Rating:  8.5.

CANDIDATE 22:  Chelsea Anne Manalo.  She is the darkest complexioned lady in the batch as she’s the daughter of an African-American father.  There are some angles that made me imagine a black version of Megan Young and if she totally sparkles, she can usurp the front-runners out there.  That dark complexion was also her ticket to make the short list in Top Model.  I’m rooting for her to advance–time for Filipinos to realize that beauty can come with dark skin.   Rating: 9.

CANDIDATE 23:  Princess Laureano.  She has a nice regal name.  and like so many in this group, she has great potential to make major splashes in future national pageants.  If she plays her cards right, she could be a sleeper possibility for the semifinals.  Rating: 8.5.

CANDIDATE 24:  Zara Carbonell.  She’s gotten press ink for being the daughter of actor Cris Villanueva and model Zhara Carbonell.  She tried her luck at Miss Philippines – Earth seven years ago and didn’t make the cut.  Though she receives heavy hype, I don’t really quite get her looks, and her ticket to advance to the semifinals may lie on her gab and personality.  Would that be enough for her to make it?  Rating:  8.

Swimsuit Press Presentation images courtesy of Joy Arguil for Normannorman.com, all others courtesy of Miss World Philippines Organization unless otherwise indicated.

COMING UP:  CANDIDATES 25 TO 35 plus the “FEARFUL” FORECAST

MISS WORLD PHILIPPINES 2017: AT THE HOMESTRETCH (PART 1)

At the press launch for Miss World Philippines 2017: Miss World 2013 Megan Young, Miss World Philippines 2012 Quenerich Rehman, Miss World Philippines 2015 Hillarie Parungao, MWPO COO Mark Bessie Besana, MWPO National Director Arnold Vegafria, Miss World 2011 1st runner-up Gwendoline Ruais, and Miss World 2016 4th placer Catriona Gray (image sourced from lifenstylecentral.com

Reeling from the Filipino fan outrage over Catriona Gray‘s non-win in last year’s Miss World, the new Miss World Philippines Organization (MWPO) faces the challenge of possible hostile fan sentiment as it relaunches after taking the reins from Cory Quirino.  But it looks like this pageant overcame it with a splashy launch that featured almost all of the previous queens crowned under the Cory Quirino regime (Miss World Philippines [MWP] 2014 Valerie Weigmann had previous commitments that prevented her from being present at the event).  Besides the demonstration of full support from the queens from the previous regime, the organization also sweetened the pot by acquiring the franchises of three pageants, one a well-regarded erstwhile regional pageant now expanding its scope (Reina Hispanoamerica) and two fledgling international pageants (Miss ECO and Miss Multinational).  It also expanded the number of candidates from the usual 25 as this year offers 35 candidates.  And I have to give this group kudos because this year turns out to be an excitingly, highly competitive batch–it’s a great call expanding the roster as it turns out all 35 candidates have strong qualities that would’ve made serious inroads in previous editions.  Like in my previous homestretch reviews, I’ll post a rating of their prospects for the ultimate prize, Miss World (since I don’t really have as much knowledge of the two fledgling pageants, and have only a slight knowledge of Reina Hispanoamerica to provide a rating for their prospects).  Without further ado, let us begin with…

CANDIDATE 1:  Shawntel Cruz.  This is a bubbly, dusky looker who could make serious inroads.  Sure many quibble about her less-than-toned figure but she made a splash in the Sports and Talent competitions (the latter with a self-composed song).  It’s a good thing swimsuit is not a priority in Miss World as she’s proof that being fit doesn’t necessarily mean looking buff.  I’m rooting for her to go through.  Rating:  8.5

CANDIDATE 2:  Veronica Villones.  She actually has good raw material with her attractive mestiza features, highly prized in these shores.  She made a splash in the Sports competition as she made the shortlist.  She, along with several lesser regarded contenders, shone in the Zalora fashion event–I would like to compliment whoever is the makeup artist of that event as that artist unlocked beauty that may not register well in other milieus.  Rating: 7.5

CANDIDATE 3:  Glyssa Perez.  This Australian-born Filipina has gab, vivacity, and an Asian prettiness that have some hyping her as a possible crown usurper.  She made the cut in the Sports challenge.  But just like Shawntel Cruz, sometimes her figure doesn’t register as well as other buffed ladies out there.  But then again, this is Miss World, and since 2015 body shape is not prioritized anymore.  Rating: 9.

CANDIDATE 4:  Rose Flores.  Her Indian heritage gave her an exotic look.  Her features may often read as angular, but then again, her features remind me of two-time Academy Award winner Hillary Swank, and you know how she can glam it up for special occasions.  It’s an acquired taste, but she’s more than a worthwhile contender.  She at least got a shortlist for Multimedia.  Rating:  7.5

 

Hillary Swank at the 2004 Oscars (image courtesy of Mike Blake for Reuters)

CANDIDATE 5:  Kaycie Lyn Fajardo.  She likes styling her hair in an upward ponytail.  It’s a good call as it accentuated the prettiness of her face.  Her magic show helped her gain a shortlist in Talent.  I like the way she looks so she looks poised to have serious inroads into the semifinals.  Rating:  8.5

CANDIDATE 6:  Jona Sweett.  This half-Australian lass has been gathering major buzz, and she made a splash in two challenge events, Beach Beauty and Top Model.  I don’t really quite get her that yet, but since she has the eye of the key powers-that-be, it is possible she could be in contention for the crown.  Rating:  9.

CANDIDATE 7:  Jane Darren Genobisa.  For those who like their lasses dusky and native, this lady has those qualities.  With a little polish she can be a contender for, say, Mutya or Binibining Pilipinas, but for now, she is just a worthwhile contender.  Rating: 7.5.

CANDIDATE 8:  Nikki Deveza.  She’s a less-heralded Asian-type looker.  She made the Sports shortlist and is renowned for her barista skills (though it didn’t make the talent shortlist).  It might be an uphill battle for her to make the cut, but like the rest of the 35 candidates, the caliber is so high so it is still within the realm of the possibility.  Rating: 8.

CANDIDATE 9:  Teresita Ssen “Winwyn” Marquez.  I have to say this offspring of actors-turned-politicians Alma Moreno and Joey Marquez is sparkling better here than in her heralded 2015 Binibining Pilipinas stint.  Her status as a favorite seems to be secure as she figured in four of the five challenge events, making the shortlist in Beach Beauty, Top Model, Multimedia, and Talent (with her partnered dancing routine).  Some might have quibbles about her height as a detriment to her Miss World prospects, but then again, that didn’t stop Jamaica’s Carole Joan Crawford (1963) and Trinidad & Tobago’s Giselle Laronde (1986) from winning.  Rating: 9.5.

CANDIDATE 10:  Leidda Paulette Babasanta.  Besides a rise-from-poverty human interest story, she has the ability to engage her fans enough to make the Multimedia shortlist.  She also has good looks worthy of attention, especially during the Zalora fashion show.  Rating: 7.5.

CANDIDATE 11:  Gabriela Madarieta Ortega.  She has made a great-enough impression at this year’s Binibining Pilipinas, making the Top 15.  Her Spanish background has many pundits believing the Reina Hispanoamerica title is in the bag for her, but from what I know about Latin pageants, I don’t think her Spanish proficiency and appealing dusky vibe would be enough for her to make that much needed splash as she still has that thick torso that may not be appreciated in the Latin realm, and they are not inclined to grant anyone the Siera Bearchell card.  Rating: 9.

CANDIDATE 12:  Henna Kaizelle Nicole “KC” Cajandig.  Even if she became a Binibining Pilipinas candidate back in 2013 by replacing a previously designated candidate, she is always a solid, worthwhile contender.  In a previous edition, she’ll easily make the cut but, well, we are at a higher caliber now.  Rating: 8.

Swimsuit Press Presentation images courtesy of Joy Arguil for Normannorman.com, all others courtesy of Miss World Philippines Organization unless otherwise indicated.

COMING UP:  CANDIDATES 13 TO 24.