I always say it time and again that making Final Predictions for the results of a national beauty pageant cannot be compared to looking through a crystal ball and seeing the faces of the eventual winners vividly flashing after continuous rubbing of the same. Spending fleeting moments of quality time with them is no guarantee of accuracy in making forecasts either. It would be safe to state that I picked up on small hints here and there from different aspects of the competition and gathered all the pertinent impressions/realizations along the way that cumulatively gave me the confidence of sharing my choices.

With fifty (50) Official Candidates, the level of difficulty is raised two-fold. Whereas usual past editions would have no more than thirty (30) contenders, the playing field got significantly bigger. So without further ado, let me share my Top 25 choices ranked accordingly. I took the liberty of highlighting those occupying the 1st to 15th spots because they are already my preferred qualifiers from where I will choose my set of winners:

1. Pauline Amelinckx
2. Sharifa Akeel
3. Nina Ancheta
4. Mary Justine Teng
5. Kristine Malicsi
6. Aya Fernandez
7. Keshapornam Ramachandran
8. Anie Uson
9. Ebony Bangit
10. Agatha Romero
11. Rein Hillary Carrascal
12. Jeserey Sanchez
13. Arianne Deseree Viardo
14. Jessica Duhay
15. Honey Grace Cartasano
16. Bettina Eleanor Dingemans
17. Gezza Avila
18. Shaira Portugal
19. Mae Kimberly de Luna
20. Allison Lorenzo
21. Geri Franchesca Camargo
22. Odessa dela Cuesta
23. Ana Clarice Patrimonio
24. Marseilaise Perkins
25. Katrina Sese

In the event that my Top 15 above would undergo Q&A, it becomes increasingly hard to guess who will ultimately shine in delivery. So at this point, I would go out on a limb and state the ladies who I think will get the nod from the decision-makers. Gut-feel tells me as well that the judges (and the organization) are keeping an eye on these eight (8) ladies to form the magic circle of winners.

My Top 8 are:
1. Pauline Amelinckx
2. Sharifa Akeel
3. Nina Ancheta
4. Mary Justine Teng
5. Kristine Malicsi
6. Aya Fernandez
7. Keshapornam Ramachandran
8. Anie Uson

I am in a bit of a bind for the last two spots because Ebony Bangit, Rein Hillary Carrascal and Agatha Romero might also be capable of sneaking in. But I digress. It is a toss between Nina Ancheta of Los Angeles and Ebony Bangit of Melbourne for the Special Title of Mutya-Overseas Communities. I will give it to the latter because Nina – in my opinion – is destined for a bigger title.

So now, here is how I assign the titles and the two position of runners-up (assuming that only two runners-up will be announced):

Pauline Amelincx of Bohol for Mutya ng Pilipinas Asia-Pacific International

Sharifa Akeel of Sultan Kudarat for Mutya ng Pilipinas Tourism International

Nina Ancheta of Los Angeles for Mutya ng Pilipinas Tourism Queen of the Year International

Mary Justine Teng of Muntinlupa City for Mutya ng Pilipinas Global Beauty Queen

Kristine Malicsci of Navotas for 1st Runner-Up

Aya Fernandez of Taguig City for 2nd Runner-Up

Honestly, both Pauline and Sharifa could interchange with the titles or stay the way I predict them to be. Regardless, I would be happy seeing them as the two highest finishers in this very competitive batch of ladies.