The organizers (including your blogger) kept the identity of the Grand National Callback aspirants under wraps before the big reveal yesterday afternoon at the SMX Convention Center in SM Aura. And as hoped for, the judges and members of the media were pleasantly surprised with the quality of the candidates who vied for the spots as Official Candidates. On the panel were Miss Grand International 2016 1st Runner-Up Nicole Cordoves, Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2009 Bianca Manalo, Bb. Pilipinas 2018 Top 15 Finisher Sandra Lemonon, Bb. Pilipinas 2018 Top 25 Finisher Sigrid Grace Flores, Bb. Pilipinas 2018 Official Candidate Sarah Margarette Joson, model Clint Bondad, Michelle Encarnacion of Belmere’, Domz Ramos of DR Swim, Randy Nolasco and Col. Ricardo Nolasco Jr., Proprietornof Hannah’s Beach Resort & Convention Center. At the end of eliminations, the Top 20 Male and Top 20 Female placers were announced as this year’s Official Candidates, as follows, with their official numbers:

Males:
1. Kyle Dwight Sabinay – Talisay, Cebu
2. John Roland Torres – Tabaco, Albay
3. James Lee Sabado – Dagupan, Pangasinan
4. Joshua Helito – Rizal
5. Makheos Quiambao – Pangasinan
6. Gerome Bongco – Cabiao, Nueva Ecija
7. Vinz Jimenez – Tondo, Manila
8. Jordanne Lapira – Manila
9. Jearu Ed Magbuhat – Quezon City
10. Crispin C. Tabao – Tuguegarao
11. Christopher Joshua Ibañez – Tagaytay City
12. Vann Ramos – Cebu City
13. George Reylor de Lumen – Marikina City
14. Joie Rey Dagsa – Puerto Princesa, Palawan
15. John Paul Juanillo – Zambales
16. Jayvinne Klein Jainar – La Union
17. Erikson Gudelano IV – Cainta, Rizal
18. Michael Gomez – North Cotabato
19. Kenneth Snell – San Pedro, Laguna
20. Jordan Sibbaluca – Cagayan Valley

Females:
1. Brazmeena Abdurajak – Angeles, Pampanga
2. Loveley D. Bulosan – Tarlac City
3. Juvel Ducay – Bantayan Island, Cebu
4. Kylah Sanchez – Panabo, Davao del Norte
5. Shara Maxine Barber – Puerto Princesa, Palawan
6. Errish Anne Nalus – Dinalupihan, Bataan
7. Stefanoni Nunag – Tarlac
8. Marianne Serenuela – Cagayan de Oro City
9. Elisa Taylor – Mandaluyong City
10. Nicole Miñano – Caloocan City
11. Jasmine Omay – Tarlac
12. Joanna Ricci Alajar – Davao City
13. Honey Grace Cartasano – Quezon City
14. Daniella Mariz Lamptey – Mandaluyong City
15. Rosechel Templa – Carmen, Davao del Norte
16. Jaya May Bernardo – Lemery, Batangas
17. Novie Shane Leonerio – General Santos City
18. Mitzi Daryl Balatbat – Antipolo City
19. Maria Frencheska Nueva – Makati City
20. Josephine Segovia – Guimaras

Congratulations to everyone who made it! They will now get ready for the Preliminaries to be held on May 5 at Hannah’s Beach Resort & Convention Center in Pagudpud, to be followed by the big finals night on May 12 at the Resorts World Manila.