At the poolside of Diamond Hotel Manila earlier in the day, the 88 Official Candidates of Miss Earth 2018 were presented to members of the media under the heat of what still looked like a summer sun. The number of arrivals was pegged at 90, but the entries of Ethiopia and Rwanda have yet to check in.

At any rate, there are so many beautiful faces in this batch of beauties. I hope that they also have the smarts and environmental savvy to go with it.

Unlike previous years, the organizers opted to do away with the voting for Darling of the Press. But even without such, it was already obvious who is being liked by most everyone. Early favorites are Telma Madeira of Portugal, Margo Faith Fargo of South Africa, Diana Carolina Silva of Venezuela, Diana Valdivieso og Ecuador, Melissa Flores of Mexico, Nirada Chetsadapriyakun of Thailand, Carolina Jane of Spain, Kristal Xamairy of Puerto Rico and Celeste Cortesi of the Philippines.

More photos of the Press Presentation soon!