The 88 members of Miss Universe Class of 2014-15 pose with Donald Trump (in cap, blue blazer and white pants).
But no, that’s just the reckless side of my brain working in maximum overdrive. In making fearless forecasts, there is no such thing as hitting 100% accuracy, let alone a second-guessed line-up that would score 14 out of 15 at best.
Be that as it may, I now present to you my final picks to be called on Sunday night’s finals and leave seventy-three (73) clappers in the dusty background.
Don’t mind the golf balls. They’re there just so that I can keep up with the Doral theme.
The fifteen (15) ladies I am predicting for the first cut come finals night. Top 10 would be the ones numbered #1-#10
Following the conclusion of the Preliminary Competition, some re-shuffling is in order to give way to ladies who outperformed the others and to downgrade those who are initially seeded to stamp their superiority but fell short of expectations.
The most consistent ones among the favorites are Miss Colombia Paulina Vega and Miss Philippines Mary Jean Lastimosa. They did not allow the pressure to get into their performance, unlike Miss Spain Desireé Ferrer and Miss Venezuela Migbelis Castellanos who were just alright in comparison. This development certainly allowed Miss Jamaica Kaci Fennell to shoot up in my own rankings, alongside Miss Ukraine Diana Harkusha. Miss USA Nia Sanchez remains middling, but at least she did not slide down in overall assessment. But breathing down her neck could be Miss Argentina Valentina Ferrer who is fast-tracking herself the true pageant way.
Miss Costa Rica Karina Ramos and Miss Serbia Andjelka Tomasevic are also solid spoilers who could tilt things in their favor. But for now, I still see them as safe Top 15 entries with a good shot at the Top 10. The rest of my Top 15 could be a bunch of wildcards where one or two just might deliver well on finals night. The most glaring part here, however, is Migbelis falling down several notches from the top tier to the third rung. She has a beautiful face and all, but sadly, will never hold a candle to Gabriela Isler. A back-to-back is clearly out of the question.
My Top 5 (from left to right): Miss Philippines MJ Lastimosa, Miss Colombia Paulina Vega, Miss Jamaica Kaci Fennell, Miss Spain Desiree Ferrer and Miss USA Nia Sanchez
And so, we have here the five (5) delegates I am feeling so much love for that I have decided to make them Top 5. Miss USA Nia Sanchez almost didn’t make the magic circle for me, owing to a bull-headed performer from Ukraine who threatened to grab one golden place in the quintet. In the end, I gave the slight edge to the host delegate who will most likely be given higher scores by the judges.
Miss Philippines Mary Jean Lastimosa and Miss Colombia Paulina continue to lead the pack, but it is Miss Jamaica Kaci Fennell who could be the thorn in either ladies’ path. The final Q&A is the one last hurdle to complete. Given that scenario and how I would expect these five beauties to answer the question, I am assigning my #1 to #5 places to:
MJ is the ONE for me…the 63rd Miss Universe and the 3rd Filipina Miss Universe
I am not dreaming. I can definitely see the Philippines winning a 3rd Miss Universe crown via Mary Jean Lastimosa. While others will counter that there are more crown-worthy victors, there is this element of boldness and maturity that embodies her personality. In my opinion, she is the one who has shown the most determination to win the whole thing. While Miss Colombia is very likely to get just as close to the crown as her, gut-feel tells me that Miss Jamaica will do a Yendi Phillips and finish next to our bet. Nia and Desireé will rank 4th and 5th in my endgame.
As I’ve always said in the past, predictions will never be absolute. In fact, I could still be overlooking one or two this late in the competition. But decisions need to made, and with finality. I can always healthily move on from defeat in my guesses and gracefully take all the potshots if proven to be sorely misguided in my views. One thing is for sure, though. I will never relinquish my support for Miss Philippines if the feeling is right and nobody – outside of the traditional judging & nothing – outside of acceptable lobbying – will get in the way. 🙂
My Top 15: Philippines, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Colombia, Russia, Spain, USA, Ukraine, France, Mexico, Thailand, Ecuador, Great Britain, South Africa & Venezuela
Alternates: Guyana, Indonesia, Italy, Kosovo & Turks&Caicos
Possibilities: Angola, Brazil, Malaysia, Peru, Puerto Rico & Serbia
Long Shots: Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Kenya, New Zealand & Nigeria
You’re list is sensible Norman. I might have the same although I haven’t really finalized. Jamaica, for me, is the dark horse in this competition. I can feel a Leila Lopes vibe about her during the finals night. With that being said MJ needs all the support she can get to win & the best support is letting her wear the most elegant gown, fit for a queen like her.
I dont like jamaica to be in the tuff5. Shes articulate but not faciallybeautiful.
My Final 5
Philippines (winner)
Jamaica 1st RU
USA 2nd RU
DR 3rd RU
Ukraine 4th RU
My Final Top 15 Picks for the 63rd Miss Universe Pageant 🙂
I accidentally clicked thumbs down but it should be thumbs up. Sorry
We both have the same top five sir and I am definite that MJ will surely wear that MU elusive crown…..in Jesus name. Amen.
@Mrs_spainhour…I copied it from Sash Factor FB…somebody posted it there. I forgot to acknowledge the creator…anyway, it’s really a great job!
Well come back to 63rd Miss Universe live from Doral, Miami, Florida
They are ready for the first dramatic moment of the night. Are you ready?
Among of these 88 fabulous women only 15 will survive on the first elimination round, they will compete for the life changing title of Miss Universe. Now, prior to our show a separate panel of judges viewed the all contestant in a preliminary competition their votes along with the Miss Universe Organization determined 15 of the women who makes tonight first cut.
We will now reveal our top 15 in random order
The first country in the top 15 goes to……Spain
Who will be next? Let’s find…. Finland
Each spot becomes more precious… please come forward…. Jamaica
Next stop we have…. Thailand
The next contestant who has a slot is…Ukraine
Five down and place number six belongs to… Colombia
There is also a place for this competition for…. Russia
The contestant who will join our semi-finalist is… France
We are now halfway there, 80 women remain and only 7 places left… the odds is ten to one against everyone competing those odds is….Argentina
And the tenth spot is for…. USA
You’ve been dreaming this for a long time come take it…. PHILIPPINES
Only four places are left and the next one goes to… Costa Rica
The Lucky thirteenth spot belongs to….. Serbia
Were down to a final two places and one of them belongs to…. Venezuela
Alright here we go only one spot to go… 73 women want it but the final spot in the top 15 goes to… Lithuania
They might steal any of the spot.
Brazil
Guyana
India
Mexico
Puerto Rico
The show its going to be PHILIPPINES VS South American Dog Fight
or
I love this “You’ve been dreaming this for a long time come take it…. PHILIPPINES”
#MJALLTHEWAY
Based on pure merit alone, I completely agree with the Top 3! HAHA. However, since the competition is being held in the US, I can’t help but think that USA will creep in to that Top 3. I just have that gnawing feeling.
But I have absolutely no doubt, MJ will be Miss Universe 2014/15!!!!
The Philippines started the year with the Pope’s visit with his non-bulletproof Popemobile…Praying ardently that the next stop will be MJ’s Miss Universe Float Parade in Manila. Completing the Big Bang of January. Please..Lord. Thank you.
Good choices. From the very start my number one is sealed for MJ.
Jamaica surely will belong to the top five. I am dilly-dallying on Spain, but she’s a huge favourite of mine. If she gives it more spunk she’ll certainly get in.
Colombia, again not a fan, but will probably make it to the top five too.
Ukraine in replace of Serbia for me. The girl is fun, what she did during the swimsuit round is amusing. She broke that Miss Ukraine prototype of a merely seductive bombshell. She always finds an element of fun in the way she moves, big thanks to her ballroom dancing lol.
The other two spots left I still am not sure…
Let’s say it there would be another Latina, since it is in Miami. Costa Rica, Venezuela, Ecuador, Mexico. Even El Salvador. But I really like Guatemala. If there are no country labels I’ll take her.
I can see something special in the Netherlands, Argentina, Guyana.
Facially attractive candidates such as Sweden, Lithuania, Germany, Serbia, Kosovo, Ireland, Hungary, France, could get it only if they unleash that beauty queen spunk.
Really sad for Kosovo, Ireland (Why does she smirk all the time?) and a couple of others too for the lack of training.
This year no Australia. and, especially, India. From the official gown photoshoot to her awkward unnecessary Bollywood twitches, she’s a disgrace to Lara Dutta. I’d cover my face 😦
But I really don’t know. Fate is a tricky thing. But MJ will break Gloria Diaz’s old fashioned mantra: the more hardworking you are, the luckier you get.
God be with MJ and the Philippines!
I feel the same dyosa will be the 63rd miss universe….but still prayers can move mountains…lets pray for her and our win….tingin ko itong si paulina is no brainer ganda at katawan lng ang tigas pa ng leeg and the walk hindi graceful…gown lng talaga ang hindrance kay mj….most latin blogs and press over hype kay poleng ung iba nakiki agree nman….kitang kita nman sa prelims kung sino nag stand out….
Wish ko lng sumblay sa q&a si poleng and spain…si spain parang puro landi lng ang alam kung di nag papakita ng dede (nip slip)nagpapakita ng keps (tattoo) di kaya escort girl ang bruha!! Lol 😂😂😂😂
Lets all hype inday dyosa!! Pero ang gown pls. Lng palitan!!
#no to barrazza
Kagandahan, it is not quite appropriate if we wish ill on others in our prayers, or wish them bad! Just spread prayers of grace and blessings on MJ that she continues to shine more astoundingly…and pray that her handlers will have enlightenment to adjust whatever needs to be ironed-out in the competition!
Amen to that, Benj.
The one who is responsible for designing the strategic actions and orchestrating the “game plan” for MJ is highly commendable.
MJ, arriving at Doral a day early, has afforded her to do the required photoshoots without undue stress. She’s able to do things at her own pacing…she did them superbly!
Mj, establishing rapport with other candidates, has commanded respect and admiration from her fellow candidate by the positive vibes and radiant aura MJ has been spreading!
MJ, sharing tokens from the Philippines, has her extending goodwill to the recipients.
MJ, wearing a variety of outfit in different styles, has shown her flexibility and adaptability and versatility.
MJ, speaking from her heart, has shown sincerity and substance in her interviews.
MJ, competing without losing her focus, has embodied grace, determination and passion!
ETC…ETC..
I’m hoping that MJ will be crown Miss Universe 2014/15. I saw the sparkles in her eyes and she is very confident and determine to win the crown. She is very humble and everyone loves her. We can pray and hopefully Jesus will stay by her side come final night. Let us support her all the way. MJ for the win. 🙂
ONE FINAL QUESTION is back! Bring back the sound proof booths for top 5.
Is this more fair and comparable to judge?
What makes you blush? Throwback to 2002 for the same final question to all top 5.
I was in grade school when I watched this. I will never forget it. I still know what Miss Russia answered because it was so brief and she was and is, up to now the most beautiful!
Don’t you just love the spontaneity of those candidates in the past? Miss China’s so cute!
Alex, that is how it should be in order to have an even playing field. MU changes their format to keep things fresh but the judging becomes too unpredictable.
I love that year…
It was so memorable…
China is so cute…
Russia did answer with confidence…
Complete interview of Natalie Morales and Thomas Roberts.
http://www.msnbc.com/jose-diaz-balart/watch/countdown-to-the-miss-universe-pageant-388184131603
Wow so totoo nga, naku magkakaalaman na pero syempre luge na naman tayo sa mga lintik na may interpreter. Hmp. Go MJ u will nail q and a, your improved comm skills sa mga interviews proved that. Way to go. Tatlong araw at dlwang tulog nalang at magkakaalaman na. Mabalik ako sa gown lol nvm
Spread the positive energy according to her. 🙂 No more gown talk.
Rejoice if this is true. I hope they bring back the interview part too, before the final question itself.
Looks like they are taking pointers from Miss World now, lol, which is a good thing.
Thats great! One question for all makes it fair game to everyone. Mas maco-compare at judge sila nang mas fair. They should not have removed the single final question in the first place to be honest.
You guys better be filming your reactions as the Top 15, Top 10, Top 5, and then eventually when MJ gets crowned.;) hahaha
As the saying goes: SHE OWNS THE STAGE! From day one, MJ has been claiming what is rightfully hers: The Miss Universe Crown!
Excellent picks! I share your sentiments about the prediction process this year. It seemed easy but the surprises made it more special. Your top 5 is exactly like mine but the placements are slightly different. I hope we get it right this year! 🙂
Tito Norms, here’s my top 5:
MU: Philippines
1st RU: Jamaica
2nd RU:France
3rd RU: Colombia
4th RU: USA
Yes totally agree with you about MJ and Colombia! MJ’s performance is majestic (or MJ-estic)! Her body is to die for!
Pero sa totoo lang di ko ma-gets ang beauty ni Miss Vega. Notice how she’s always pictured with her mouth open? Kasi haba ng baba niya pag naka-close at nags-smile lang sya.
Costa Rica reminds me of Wonder Woman. She is much prettier, but for some reasons parang lagi syang upstaged ni Miss Vega. Maybe she’ll be this year’s Constanza Baez.
Yes, Philippines will win Miss Universe. I can’t contain my excitement..
Sabado na onting tumbling na lang …
Mexico for top15. As well as india or indonesia. I bet venezuela, spain, colombia, usa and of course our queen for top5. Happy saturday everyone.
Bravo Norms! I totally agree with your predictions. MJ for the win!!!! The rest are immaterial.
Philippines, Jamaica and Colombia for the top 3!