(L-R) Venezuela, Georgia, Croatia, Philippines
(L-R) South Africa, France, Kosovo and Lebanon
(L-R) Puerto Rico, Brazil, Malaysia and Colombia
(L-R) Mexico, Ecuador, Cayman Islands and USA
(L-R) Czech Republic, Thailand, Paraguay and Japan
(L-R) Greece, Poland, Australia and Angola
First things first, the Miss Universe 2012 Preliminaries lived up to its name of effectively filtering the confidently beautiful (the organization’s current tag words) from the plain beautiful candidates. While there are so many gorgeous ladies competing for this year’s crown, it takes a pre-pageant event like this to see through their respective strengths and weaknesses with a live streaming near-microscopic eye.
And it is with this thought that I highlight first the beauties who pleasantly surprised me, and they are Tamar Shedania of Georgia, Marie Payet of France, Rina Chibany of Lebanon, Daniella Alvarez of Colombia and Vasiliki Tsirogianni of Greece. I was practically ‘ignoring’ these five prior to the Preliminaries. But they showed last night that they are in the competition to be more than noticed and moreover, be recognized of their winning potentials. In particular, my armchair judging showed the first three mentioned as standouts in both rounds. Hence, I won’t be taken aback anymore should they make the cut, i.e., if their individual interview scores cooperate.
As for the rest, I can name the ones who proved their worthiness as early favorites and who are now being named shoo-ins to the Top 16. Irene Esser of Venezuela, Elizabeta Burg of Croatia, Janine Tugonon of the Philippines, Melinda Bam of South Africa and Bodine Koehler of Puerto Rico comprise a quintet that made the best use of their collective half-minutes onstage. They delivered and how! Irene’s vibrant personality mixed well with her expertly-trained presentations. Elizabeta’s knockout beauty blended with smooth turns that can leave any member of the audience breathless. Janine’s catwalk savvy and elegant bearing prompted everyone to sit up and take notice of our bet’s fierce style. Melinda, on the other hand, is clearly a master of projection and sharp moves. And Bodine? She may always have that girlish aura about her, but she uses this countenance to leave an indelible mark on the judges’ scorecards.
There are those who remained very strong inspite of being relatively less effective (but not by much) compared to the ones already mentioned. I am specifically referring to Malaysia’s Kimberley Leggett, Brazil’s Gabriela Markus, Mexico’s Karina Gonzalez, USA’s Olivia Culpo, Ecuador’s Carolina Aguirre and Cayman Island’s Lindsay Japal. If you ask me what seems to be still lacking in them, I may not have easy answers. It could be an excess here or a small shortage of charm there or just an overall performance that merited a cumulative grade lower than the more solid tallies of the contenders ahead of them. At any rate, they should definitely advance in my opinion.
Which leads me to who, I reckon, might be Trump’s picks for 2012. With his fondness for Central European eye candies, I am placing my bets on Croatia, Georgia, Diana Avdiu of Kosovo, Tereza Chlebovska of Czech Republic and, on a geographically different area of Europe, France. Marcelina Zawadzka of Poland and Lebanon (not European but looks like one) could also be joiners, but they may already be on the verge of being the first to be sacrificed if Donald can only scoop five (maximum six) slots.
And as for the two other Asians in my Top 24? Gut feel tells me that either Japan’s Ayako Hara or Thailand’s Farida Waller is likely to pull a Top 16 inclusion. If you ask me who, I would probably point a finger to one of the final telecast judges who happens to be an Iron Chef as clue. (Insert wink here)
Lastly, don’t count out the possibilities of Paraguay’s Egni Eckert, Angola’s Marcelina Vahekini and Australia’s Renae Ayris. The fiery Latina is capable of stealing the limelight from any one of the top presentation placers, while Leila Lopes’ national successor could be the token black qualifier should there be one. Lastly, the Aussie babe – who used to be lording it over my earlier rankings – has slipped based on my assessment of her last night. Hopefully, she can still turn the tide and continue her continent’s good track record in the pageant.
All in all, the Miss Universe 2012 Preliminaries was an eye-opening event, in that it gave all 89 wannabes equal opportunities to shine and give the front-runners a run for their money. Who will make it to my final list of Top 15 (plus one potential online voting winner)? That will have to wait till the morning of the 19th. 🙂
normannorman.com 
who ever wins………let’s just support her! anyway, the reason why they’re there because they deserve it. but it’s a competition and may the best candidate win! but ofcourse…..goodluck, PHILIPPINES!!!!
Agree with you, out of all of them my favorites are Brazil and Ecuador
I just want to share with you my top 10 favorites. I just finished watching the preliminaries, and I was surprised with some of the candidates that I didn’t even notice prior to the preliminaries.
1. Paraguay
2. Puerto Rico
3. Brazil
4. Netherlands
5. South Africa.
The rest were all surprises: Guatemala, Czech Republic, Georgia, Jamaica and Thailand
Janine did an excellent job, but it seems like she rushed both of her presentations; and the choice of gown might cause her a spot in the semis… (I surely hope not). Farida on the other hand chose a very classy and elegant gown, and she carried it way better. Japan also did great.
Norman, what happened to Shamcey’s role as online host for miss U? I don’t see that page in the Miss U website anymore. any update?
Her first job was to cover the National Costume Show. Not sure what happened. But we’ll see her for sure.
Clear as a crystal clear water, Puerto Rico and Venezuela are the delegates to beat.
Janine’s national costume rocked – so elegant – but it lacked that pageant ‘oomph’
– but still the best of luck!
My top 5 are Bolivia, Poland, Croatia, Japan and South Africa. All ladies did well but these 5 stood out to me the most.
I thought all the while that the gown JANINE gonna be wearing for the preliminary is executed by a Filipino designer. So I had the reservation (IF IT SO?), the crown is really meant for her. But her trashy outdated gown by Barraza is ruining her chances again…. An eletric pleated plain gown… mas mabuti pa yata eh clepoatra inspired na lang ang ginawa. Miss Colombia’s gown is an electrifying yellow swan… so I think Miss Colombia will adavance to top 4… for sure!
Great preliminary performance, Janine, but please take note of these humble observations for a winning stance in the coronation night:
1. AUDIENCE RAPPORT. Sustain your eye-contact. Wow them. Play with them. Look at the judges as if you are the hungriest contestant ever for the crown. Own your audience and you will definitely send a resounding message to all: I AM THE NEXT MISS UNIVERSE.
2. BREATHE AND RELAX. Do not be too stiff and uptight. Be yourself. Enjoy the moment rather than compete liKE it’s the only thing there is. People can read body languages and you have all the qualities to blow them away with your sexiest curves and astonishing, distinctive looks.
3. QUESTION AND ANSWER. Be brief but emphatic. Think of the universe when you share your perspectives. Be sensitive to the culture of others and not just focus on being a Filipina which will eventually alienate you from the crowd being too fixated but not open-minded. Focus on the question and keep in mind: “What will this answer benefit the Miss Universe organization and the world?”
All my best wishes. We love you, win or lose!
Please share if you feel like this battle of true wit and elegance belongs to THE PHILIPPINES like no other!
Hi Norman, I have been yearning to ask about how Janine performed in the prelimenary interviews. Last year, you have mentioned that Shamcey ranked 9th according to your insiders, any scoops from your informants? The interviews perhaps together with her amazing performance last night will help clinch the spot to the semifinals. Still, no harm in voting.
All I can say is that Janine is happy with how her interview went. Let’s keep it at that, Jeff. 🙂
If she is happy then so am I. Everybody happy! Thanks!
Interesting Facts : This edition will be the 4th time it is going to be held in Las Vegas. First was in 1991 when Mexican Lupita Jones was crowned. Then in 1996 when Alicia Machado of Venezuela won. It was just 2 years ago when Mexico’s Ximena Navarrete also was crowned there. I have a feeling that another Latina will be crowned. Venezuela, Mexico, or Puerto Rico maybe? Well, your guess is as good as mine. Our rep will sure make it to the semis (if her performance is not good enough for them, then there’s online voting. Lol).
Great choices kuya norman..Nothing more to say.This year is probably the most dramatic.And devastating?See how China,Indonesia and Guyana make us ooh?And Denmark aww?
Cayman Island is a revelation! Croatia & Georgia are strikingly beautiful! Spain is noteworthy!
Thanks chief!
great assessment! I can’t wait for the 19th already and see who the luckiest star. God is great our prayers are answered as far as the prelims is concerned and that Madam Janine did shine like a diamond in the sky. She was so classy, elegant, flawless and smooth…galing super calm ang lolahhh!
Happy Weeekend mga sisterettes 🙂
Thank you, wonderwall!