As the national pageant with the most number of titles at stake, Miss World Philippines prides itself in giving more deserving candidates the opportunity to represent the country internationally. Five (5) ladies will be crowned on Sunday night – Miss World Philippines, Miss Supranational Philippines, Miss Eco Philippines, Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas and Miss Eco Teen Philippines. Even with the exclusion of the Miss Multinational and Miss Environment International franchises, plus the tired (and often used) Miss Philippines Tourism sash, the remaining honors still give the organization a competitive edge in pageantry.

The photo grid above represents my Top 16, regardless of the results of the different pre-pageant challenges. At any rate, I am confident that the majority of the fast-track winners are already included. So from this grouping, I will go straight to who are likely to battle it out for each of the crowns:

For Miss World Philippines 2022, Ashley Subijano Montenegro has always been the default choice of many, mostly because her pedigree is a great back story should she nail the title that her mother – Cara Subijano- also won back in Bb. Pilipinas 1994. Other than this and her imposing height, the plus points are spread evenly among the other contenders. And this is where either a rising challenger or a come-from-behind winner can snatch the win. In my mind, Filipina-French Gwendolyne Fourniol is the most likely to take a spirited spin on the wheel in her favor. She fits the Miss World peg and could be likened by Julia Morley in that eventuality. She is a global beauty in progress. Can you imagine her singing “La Vie En Rose” for Miss World Talent (video below)? Now as far as a spoiler goes, Charyzah Esparrago has a glimmer of hope, especially if she gets to hold the mic for a convincingly-worded speech.

For Miss Supranational Philippines 2022, it could be a toss between Ingrid “Sam” Santamaria and Maria Gigante. They both have the qualities that will be highly appreciated by the organizers in Poland – modelesque and exotic, respectively. If it all came down to the Q&A, the Cebuana is anticipated to make a homerun. But that is not to say that the Paranaqueña will make it easy in the process.

For Miss Eco Philippines 2022, do keep in mind that the winner will go for a back-to-back win in Egypt. While it is not impossible for such to happen, the organization has not bestowed the victory to the same country two times in a row to date. At any rate, I would like to take a risk and opt for Cassandra Chan or Alison Black getting the nod for the national title. Either of the two would make excellent representatives, with or without the pressure of succeeding Kathleen Paton for the bigger crown hanging around their necks.

For Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas, this appears to be a foregone conclusion as early as the announcement of Official Candidates. In our years of participation in Bolivia, we have not sent a Spanish-speaking delegate yet. And Paula Ortega is the targeted choice to be it. She also happens to be tall, charming and muy amistosa. Now if she doesn’t luck out for this crown, then Justine Felizarta might just finally get what she has been looking for. Still, I feel that it is going to be lopsided in favor of the Albayana.

For Miss Eco Teen Philippines, the entry from Aklan seems to be in the lead. Beatriz McLelland is smart, well-spoken and very confident. Unless the judges and the organization go for someone with raw but promising potentials like Erika Vinculado or Vea Bautista, it will look like a victorious night for the Aklanon.

So there. The runners-up are likely to come from any of the ladies as well, unless the likes of Erika Kristensen or Patricia Dizon vault into placement. My only hope is for the Finals not to drag as long as last year’s. If there is one thing the pandemic taught me, it is to regularly sleep before midnight and not lose sleep on lengthy events, if it can be helped. 🙂

PostScript: How true? There will be a sixth (6th) surprise of a #new crown for tomorrow night’s Miss World Philippines 2022 Finals.

#MissWorldPhilippines2022
#ExceptionallyEmpoweredFilipina