65th Miss Universe Insights | The Poster Queens

Posted by Norman on January 13, 2017
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , .

The five contestants who are considered the strongest at the starting line


Consider this blog feature an inspired article that your blogger suddenly got hooked into finishing more than an ago.

In the starting line-up of contestants vying for the 65th Miss Universe title, who are the five strongest representatives at this point when all pre-pageant events are just about to start? They are the most obvious in terms of hype, impact and overall poster appeal for the brand. And they represent key words or catch phrases that would interest the organizers and judges to look into.

Andrea Tovar of Colombia


There is the #ExoticEase of Miss Colombia Andrea Tovar who many are anticipating as the most spicy and effervescent in terms of presence. She knows how to work her way around people and photographs so clean that someone like Fadil Berisha would be quickly enamored by her perceived divalicious appeal.

Raises Santana of Brazil


There is the #BlackIsBeautiful Miss Brazil Raissa Santana who is going great guns in the pageant as we discuss. Hers is the type of dusky beauty that can floor anyone upon first meeting. Her energy is electric and the curly locks add to the magnetic charm that she possesses. And all of this without speaking enough words in English to sustain a quick conversation with a non-Portuguese speaker.

Iris Mittenaere of France


There is the #RoyaltyResonating beauty of Miss France Iris Mittenaere who – while not exactly embodying a Grace Kelly vibe – projects elegance with hints of chic and cosmopolitan on the outer layer. She registers so well in photographs where only a head-fitting crown would complete the pictorial.

Mariam Habach Santucci of Venezuela


There is the #DiversityPersonified Miss Venezuela Mariam Habach Santucci who has Italian and Syrian origins running across her Latin American overalls. Pictures may not give out her best all the time, but you really need to see her in person. She is delicate but striking at the same time. The face is small but the personality is all-encompassing. Imagine a younger Molly Isler with a twist.

Miss Philippines Maxine Medina


And then there is #PageantPowerhouseBet Miss Philippines Maxine Medina who – inspite of the constant (and extremely annoying/uncalled-for) bashings remains on top of her game. Like it or not. She is the type of woman who will disprove your doubts once the going gets tough. After everything that she has been through, a stronger version has emerged that will hammer down her harshest critics in the most beautiful non-vengeful manner.

Andrea, Raissa, Iris, Mariam and Maxine are in the lead right now. But for how long, you might ask. Well, the Boracay event will jumpstart the Provincial Tour tomorrow so better get your analytical eye for beauty ready. Without tints, if you will. 🙂

133 comments on “65th Miss Universe Insights | The Poster Queens”

    • Wala na bang mas magandang pics kc mukha syang katulong na binihisan dito.
      Mas sosyal pa yung DH sa HK na classmate ko hihihi.
      Ay … no bashing pala pero totoo yung sinabi ko ha hihihi charette lang.

    • Marvin, normal lng yan kesa naman sa boobs or sa genital area ilagay hihihi 🙂
      Yung malalanding moves na lang ang aabangan natin kagaya yung lolit words na Babae sa Dilim or yung mga babae sa dis-oras ng gabi or madaling araw hihihi… aabangan natin yan sa mga gay paparrazi hihihi

    • “A little girl who dont know” oh my God di ba talaga sya marunong? Nakakahiya

    • I dont get your intentions. Parang sapagitan ng iyong sariling pamilya at mga kapitbahay, may mamahalin nyo pa ang kapitbahay at siairaan ang mga sarili nyong kamag anak. Ganun nga talaga kasama mga ugali nyo.

      • Alam mo ba ang ibig sabihin ng “siraan”? Yun ay isang paninira na sinasabi ang massamang bagay na di naman totoo. Eh ayan o ang video hwag kang magbubulag bulagan kitang kita at dinig na dinig mo ang mga pingsasabi nya dyan sa Maxene nakakakilabot

    • 1.US Virgin Islands
      2.Guyana
      3.Brazil
      4.Sierra Leone
      5.Thailand
      6.Ukraine
      7.Albania
      8.Kenya
      9.Tanzania
      10.Costa Rica
      11.Nicaragua
      12.New Zealand
      13.USA
      14.British Virgin Islands
      15.Canada
      16.Mexico
      17.Vietnam
      18.Slovak Republic
      19.Cayman Islands
      20.Poland
      21.Russia
      22.Peru
      23.Malaysia
      24.Finland
      25.Mauritius
      26.Singapore
      27.Turkey
      28.Haiti
      29.Angola
      30.Argentina
      31.Chile
      32.India
      33.Belgium
      34.Uruguay
      35.Bahamas
      36.Curacao
      37.Honduras
      38.China
      39.Netherlands
      40.Ecuador
      41.Sri Lanka
      42.Namibia
      43.Australia
      44.Czech Republic
      45.Malta
      46.Myanmar
      47.Belize
      48.Japan
      49.Indonesia
      50.Kazakhstan
      51.Austria
      52.Barbados
      53.Great Britain
      54.France
      55.Venezuela
      56.Iceland
      57.South Africa
      58.Germany
      59.Norway
      60.Philippines
      61.Jamaica
      62.Kosovo
      63.Spain
      64.Korea
      65.Portugal
      66.Hungary
      67.Croatia
      68.Italy
      69.Slovenia
      70.Georgia
      71.Romania
      72.Aruba
      73.Israel
      74.Bulgaria
      75.Bolivia
      76.Denmark
      77.Sweden
      78.Panama
      79.Guam
      80.Dominican Republic
      81.Guatemala
      82.Switzerland
      83.Puerto Rico
      84.Paraguay

      Waiting for

      Nigeria
      Colombia

  5. I know the candidates worked hard for this.I hope the judges can find a winner because of her natural ( not forced or just-because-she’s-trained) beauty and wit. Yung tipong Oxana (2002 pero dethroned ms.universe) ang beauty ,skills at wit….kahit nakalugay lng ang buhok, the same style for swimsuit and evening gown at sobra ikli lng ng sagot.Her natural beauty and wit radiates. =)

    • She looks like THALIA… I like her…

      Mejo OFF nga lang ung nagtanung ng ADVOCACY…

  7. Can some please tell me what the hype is about with Miss Brazil?

    I personally don’t find her beautiflul… she’s definitely a very pretty girl… just not alll that interesting… I see alot of girls like her in Atlanta

    And she looks like Beyonce’s sister — Solange Knowles

    • Ms. Brazil looks far from Solange… And tell me which black top contender is prettier than her?

      • Don’t get me wrong — i’m not saying she’s ugly — because she definitely is a pretty girl

        I’m just lost and confused what the hype is all about with her

        Is it because she’s one of the very few black girls to represent Brazil?

        As for top black contenders — Colombia and Curacao are beautiful

    • Brazil looks like Dennis Rodman.
      Her curly hair is just her weapon, straighten it and she will just be another Tekla, Simang and Prima in Divisoria.

    • Again, here are the reasons why she will be in the Top 5:

      – She’s got the height, face & body
      – She’s prettier than Deshauna Barber
      – She’s Latina & 2nd black Rep of Brazil
      – She has a good background story to tell
      – She has a background in modeling & marketing.
      – Philippines has good diplomatic ties w/ Brazil
      – At least 1 of the ff. will make it to the Top 5: Venezuela, Colombia, Brazil.
      -Brazil currently has one of the longest semi-finalist placement streak…
      – Among the 3 pageant crazy latin country, Brazil’s win is now the longest overdue- 27 years.

  8. not sure about brazil she looks mannish and that hair? hehe is that her selling point. but she does strike as someone who would slay on the catwalk so she could still make top 10 atleast

    • Ahh so make-up lang ang morena look.. Papansin lang hahaha… In fairness, she did catch my attention.

    • Sa arrival photos niya, I can say maganda siya. Ngayon ko lang na-appreciate. baka magland siya sa semis at swerti siya if ma-duplicate niya ang tagumpay ni Amparo Munoz.

    • Sana all star cast ang rally… Loida Lewis, Marixi Prieto, Risa Hontiveros, Maria Ressa, etc..
      Sama mo pa si Kris Aquino and Korina Sanchez natorch bearers. Aatend din si Leni Robredo sa rally tapos after nun itatangi nya. Hahaha

    • di ba ang gabriela e kakampi ni lord digong? sino ba ang lead convenor ng national anti-poverty commission ngayon-si liza maza na dating gabriela rep?! typical dutertard na lahat na lang ay isisisi sa lp o kaya nama’y kapag di san-ayon sa poong dutae nila e aakusahan ng dilawan o kaya’y adik! pati itong si c2f, nagpapaniwala na rin sa mga fake news na pinagkakalat ng mga gaya nina mocha at sass 😆

      • SL ano ang role ng mga yellow birds sa mga gustong hindi ituloy sa Pinas ang MU2016, naremember mo na ba or denial lagi hanggang ngayon na puro denial kahit sapol na sapol na hihihi.
        Alam ko na makamasa ang drama ng Gabriela at nakapagtataka kung bakit sa MU2016 lang sila kukuda ng kabobohan at wala silang ginawa noong ginanap sa Pinas ang ME at MGlobal na dapat naging consistent sila sa mga ipinaglalaban nila.
        Noong napabalitang may mga married lover sina D5 at #LeniLeaks na nasa gov’t pa ay wala silang ginawa para ituwid ang karangalan ng mga kababaihan.
        Hindi porke Gabriela c Liza Maza and working in the gov’t ay hindi na puedeng ikuwestyon kung may kabobohang ginagawa ang Gabriela.
        Saludo ako sa adhikain ng Gabriela at saludo din ako sa simbahang katoliko pero ano na ang nangyayari sa simbahang katoliko hihihi… sana makuha mo ang ibig kong sabihin.
        Fake news? di ba mga dilawang Presstitutes ang nagbibigay ng fake news pero di na nila maloloko ang mga Pinoy dahil alam nila kung sino ang mga bayarang press kaya mas marami na ang nanonood at nagbabasa sa mga legit bloggers kesa sa mainstream media.
        Naaalarma na ang mga dilawang Press kc wala na masyadong nanonood sa kanila kaya galit na galit sila sa mga nagbibigay ng totoong balita kagaya ni Mommy Norman hihihi … totoo yan at walang charette:-)
        Paano na kung ang lahat ng mga advertisers ay pupunta sa mga bloggers at barya na lang ang mapunta sa mainstream media, di ba ang sakit sa bulsa.
        Kakapit na lang sila sa mga bigtime sponsors at ipamalita ang mga pekeng balita na in favor sa sponsors nila hihihi.
        Ang masakit pa dyan ay baka galing pa sa nakaw at druga ang pera ng mga sponsors nila hahahahayyyy buhay sa Pilipinas ahihihihi.

  21. MY TOP 7-11 at the moment (para maiba naman)

    11. PERU

    10. PUERTO RICO

    9. INDONESIA

    8. ARGENTINA

    7. VENEZUELA

  26. So far based on their candids and post arrival, these girls are nailing it so far:

    Brazil (the one to beat at the moment. Waiting for Colombia though)
    Thailand (she really came prepared)
    Indonesia (I hate to say this but I see Ara Arida in her. The tanning sessions paid off. She is off to top15 for now)
    Barbados
    Belgium
    Panama (Gabriela isler meets kate Middleton) watch out for her
    Turkey (stunning)
    Honduras (the biggest surprise for me so far)
    Mexico (hello MJ Lastimosa)
    Argentina (The closest thing we could get to Victoria’s Secret)
    Sierra Leone (she has this captivating smile. Kinda reminds me of Leila)
    Philippines (so far so good)
    Peru (lovely, bubbly and well spoken)
    Kenya (silent water runs deep)
    Aruba
    Malaysia (go Kiran!!!)
    Canada (she has a lovely face to match her impressive resume)
    Australia (I just love her. She could be the one)
    France – strongest European delegate for me this year. (she and turkey have the most beautiful faces this year)

    Still waiting for Colombia and Dom Rep.
    Can’t include Venezuela for now. While she projects so well in motion, there are candids of her that are not flattering, revealing the deep surgeries she has underdone before but make no mistake, she is still amiss Venezuela.

    USA is not wowing me so far. But just like VZ, I am still not counting her out just yet.

    I hate to say this but the Latina group this year is really strong!!! It is possible the winner might come from their continent again.

    • So my top 5 at the moment (based from my initial assessment so far)
      Brazil
      Turkey (I just hope she has strong comm skills to back her stunning face)
      Philippines
      Panama
      Australia

      Barbados and Thailand are my alternates.

      • Have you seen Turkey’s local pageant performance?.. I suggest you see it 1st. :-/

  27. my bets so far:

    Philippines
    Curacao
    Belgium
    Brazil
    Turkey
    Germany
    Netherlands
    Slovak Republic
    Jamaica
    Israel

  28. Sorry ha pero nakakaumay na ang ilang mga bansa na mga perennial semi finalist from south america. If hindi destined ang PH sa back to back win, I want a first time win ng isang bansa, or from Europe dahil matagal na silang walang panalo, or someone with Afro lineage, or yung 20 years and up na hindi nakukuha ang title. Give chance to others naman.

    With the new owner of MUO, tapos na ang maliligayang araw ng mga ilang latin reps na tinubuan ng sungay sa nakaraang management.

  29. Misses Mexico, Thailand and Colombia failed to project well in their arrival and post arrival photographs. Miss Mexico has this very strong facial features that make her look scary. Miss Thailand appears to be too plain. If she has a beautifying amulet in one of her suitcases, I’d suggest she starts wearing it now. She’s probably one of the weakest Asian candidates. Miss Colombia strangely looks different now. She registered strongly in photos captured in the Miss Colombia competition. The same can be said with other delegates like Slovak Republic, India and Jamaica. These ladies seemed to have lost their winnable looks.

    Miss Venezuela looks so sweet and humble. I love her sporting blue denims, sneakers and little makeup in her arrival photos and videos. She is very beautiful minus the heavy makeup, over-donned hairstyle, heavy accessories and overwhelming dresses. She was awesomely refreshing and captivating in her arrival do. I’d suggest she manages to keep this natural, sweet aura in the preliminaries and final competition.

    Miss Brazil has actually been registering well in all her photographs. Her beauty is simply mesmerizing. She appears to be engaging and fun to be with. Miss Brazil is keeping the hype up the heels.

    Misses France, Spain and Belgium are Europe’s top performers to date. The group photos definitely bring the best of these ladies. The side by side photos of Misses Spain and Colombia clearly give Miss Spain a wide advantage. France has proved yet again to send a very lovely candidate. Misses France and Spain may very likely be in the top five.

    Miss Philippines knows the camera too well. She looks divinely beautiful, exotic, confident and sweet in all her photographs. She has this very photogenic face that becomes lovelier the more you look at it. She also has a very good sense of what to wear. Like Miss Brazil, Miss Philippines projects extremely well in any angle shot. A top five finish is highly likely.

    Unlike Miss Thailand, Miss Indonesia is delivering well. She has this sophisticated look and a towering height. Indonesia has sent its strongest candidate. She surprises me. If she keeps the momentum to her side, Indonesia may have its first Miss Universe.

    Misses Vietnam and Malaysia have their eyes on the crown. Misses Philippines and Indonesia should take note of their neighboring delegates, who may upstage them come preliminaries and coronation night.

    Australia has sent another very strong candidate. This time, however, Miss Australia appears to be connecting really well.

    Other delegates whom I find to be delivering well to this date are Misses Panama, Peru, USA, Turkey and Ukraine.

    Based on my initial impressions of the delegates, Miss Brazil tops my list. She is followed by Misses France, Philippines, Venezuela, Australia, Indonesia and Spain.

    Disappointments are Misses Thailand, Mexico, Colombia, India and Slovak Republic.

  30. May kuda na naman c KF Imee hihihi 🙂
    Bakit di nya pagsabihan c Mama Rodgil/Gio F. hihihi
    Gusto ba nyang bumalik sa showbiz.
    She needs a brilliant Manager para ibenta c KF Imee.
    Puede sya yung tipong Pepsi Paloma/Kuhdet Honasan kind of films hihihi
    Pipilahan ang mga sexy films nya kung sakali …. ayyy di pala puede kc isa syang malinis na dalagang Pilipina hihihi Charette 🙂

  31. Argentina looks really good on her publicity photos as well, I won’t be surprised if she makes it to the top 5.
    India will do everything to be noticed at this year’s Miss Universe because we all know Sushmita Sen won it in 1994.
    Indonesia will be hard to ignore this year because she has the height and the face to match it.

    • I don’t think mentioning that she’s lazy and she’s pretty/fit based on genes would help her excell in the competition… Not to mention, she barely knows any Tagalog… FYI, “mabuhay” is not just Hello.

  33. Sierra Leone! No won’t miss her when she walk with that captivating smile and humility and like a black classy Maria Clara! She’s such a beauty!

  34. Good choices. But do not forget Barbados, Chile. Israel, and Netherlands who are not your typical sash frontrunners.

    • Oh I won’t forget anyone, Franco. I just want to share the ones who are expected to deliver big time before the busy events start rolling in. The next time I make an Insights article, it will feature the ones who are really bringing it on.

      • Thanks, Norman. I know you are really working hard to cover this MU. It’s your dream that is slowly unfolding. Good luck!

  35. Post-arrival noticeable candidates are:

    – Philippines
    – USA
    – Brazil
    – Colombia
    – Aruba

  36. Maxine stands out among the 5 if I were to base it on this photo collage. She exudes sweetness and sexiness without being too trying hard and strong to command attention ♡♡♡ 🙂

      • Exactly. Maxine looks expensive in that every MU candidate should be stunned about.

    • Ayan na naman ang “stand out” na yan. Next time sasabihin sure winner na naman tapos pag natalo dinaya

      • Kung may proof na dinaya ay bakit hindi mo sabihin na dinaya talaga kagaya ng boto ni BBM compared sa votes ni Ma’am Leni hihihi …ma’am daw o hihihi CHAROT santos 🙂

      • Jeremi, ang sabi ni Maxene ikaw daw ang sisisihin niya kapag natalo sya dahil masyado kang nega sa kanya! Hahahahahahha

  37. My current TOP 15 faves:

    Brazil
    Aruba
    Philippines
    Australia
    Colombia
    Thailand
    Venezuela
    USA
    Sierra Leone
    France or Belgium
    Indonesia or Vietnam
    Curacao or Barbados or Uruguay
    Ukraine or Slovak Republic or Croatia
    Mexico or Puerto Rico or Costa Rica or Panama
    Spain or Turkey or South Africa or Angola or UK

    • Omg! Magaling si Siera Leone huh. Very articulate and her social awareness is spot on.

    • This girl from Sierra Leone is beautiful inside and out. She caught my attention here. And Nicole my other MU bet (lol) is very articulate as always. Would love to see more of Nicole’s interviews with the other candidates 🙂

      • Jeremi, ang sabi ni Nicole huwag mo syang sabihan kung ano dapat nyang gawin dahil mas maganda at magaling sya kese sa iyo! Hahahahahaha

    • Di ko pinapansin ang video na to pero nang nagpasya akong panoorin ay napa OMG ako dahil ang ganda ng transformation ni Super Tekla hihihi 🙂
      Kidding aside, i’m impressed with Miss Siera Leone.
      She is authentic, intelligent, fighter and beautiful.
      I believe and convinced of everything she said.
      Top 15 for Siera Leone bcoz i love her hihihi charette 🙂

  39. Nahahabaan ako sa mukha ni France kaya TOP 10 lang sya for me… Parang mas maganda pa si Belgium at Canada who are both beauty and brains sa totoo lang… Pero ang plain ng styling ni Canada nung check-in…. strategy kaya?

    I would replace France with Aruba…

    And Don’t forget Thailand…. Waley ang Comskills pero baka gawin syang panabla sa Top 5 dahil siguradong pasabog ang wardrobe and pageantry skillls nya…. Just like how Netherlands got in the top 5 of MU 2014… Ang utak nasa boobs!

  40. Colombia? Duh? After nung ginawa Niya sa press con Nung tinanong siya if she did cosmetic surgery. Turn off!

  41. I totally agree with these five Kuya Norms. Although sa ngayon, I have Miss Australia instead of Miss France but the latter is bound to take that spot.

  43. Venezuela will be a clapper this year. Vaks, did you see Kezia’s recent photos? What the heck did they do to her face? Did she get extra tanning at the hotel?

    • Halos hinde sya makilala. parang nagpa tan. anyway! i dont want to say anything to other girls. as much as possible iwas ako to comment on what they are now, how they look like. lalo na kung hinde maganda na papansin ko sa looks nila, anythig. coz i really want maxine to win. so focus nalang sa kanya and praying that maxine and her team will surprise us in every event of MU especially in prelim and finals. Hoping and Pray for her to win or at least top 3 Finish. But to win is my goal for her since she has words b4 that she will win.

    • Actually Mariam is prettier than Mariana. In her pictures with no make up, she looks flawless. Nagmumukha lang sya “matanda” depende sa ayos nya. But yeah, maybe hanggang top 10 lang sya. Turkey and Great Britain can surprise us.

      My top 15 for now are:

      Philippines
      Colombia
      Brazil
      Venezuela
      Australia

      France
      Thailand
      Turkey
      Great Britain
      Panama

      Slovak Republic
      Malaysia
      Mexico
      Dominican Republic
      USA

  44. Strong five but just like the past editions, one or two of them won’t make the first cut. MU’s surprises…. 🙂

  47. As per my personal taste, I like Colombia and France. I don’t like Mariam at all.

  48. I agree with the list except France. As to the rest, yes, they are the strongest four.

    I wasn’t a fan of the beauty of Colombia and Venezuela, but after watching their videos in motion and their catwalk, I was swayed. Iba talaga ang confidence nila. They know they are hot, and they can own the stage and their presence commands attention when they’re in a room. I think that’s the edge of the Latinas. Asian beauties have yet to catch up in that department. I think it’s because of the typical Asian conservative and submissive upbringing/conditioning.

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