This has got to be one of the more impressive batches of Mutya ng Pilipinas in recent memory. As the saying goes, there are no slim pickings here. At least half of them will be practically wasted if only one crown will be contested come Friday night. But then again, I am keeping my fingers crossed that the organizers will make a surprise announcement for a new pageant franchise so that two ladies will at least represent the country abroad. As far as the Mutya-Overseas Communities title is concerned, I have never really looked at it as hotly-contested since only less than 1/4 of the candidates can vie for the same.

So with all preliminaries/pre-judging now over, let me present to you first my Top 10 Prediction.

There is no doubt in my mind that roommates Mutya ng Milan Patrizia Bosco and Mutya ng Cordilleras Glennifer Perido are the ladies to beat. They are this year’s “the-crown-is-theirs-to-lose” category fillers. And only if they allow the 28 others to upend their bids will the final results reveal any other names inside the envelope. I know that the next four picks in my forecast are strong enough to cause an upset, but let’s see how the two leading favorites will translate their popularity to formal victory.

My Fearless Top 10 Forecast

Now, trimming down the ten ladies above to just five is not extraordinarily hard to accomplish. The only thing that gave me some sense of difficulty is who to give the 5th slot to. I was teetering between Mutya ng Tagbilaran City Dorina Losenada Doerr and Mutya ng Olongapo City Cristine Racel. It is my belief, though, that the former has made bigger strides of late and has gradually outlasted the former, albeit marginally. Mutya ng Iloilo City Froilene Villanueva and Mutya ng Cebu City Eva Psychee Patalinjug are safely tucked in 3rd and 4th so far, imo.

Note: By now, I have decided to give up on Jackielyn Dulay making the final cut since she was already given the Mutya Tourism-Nueva Ecija special crown earlier. But if the judges and organizers decide to favor her even more, then chances are my selections below will be altered to accommodate her inclusion. I’m just not sure who will be sacrificed.

Patrizia is my pick to win, but methinks Glennifer or Froilene will give her a hard time and might possibly get past the Fil-Italian if the final Q&A is the ultimate test. Heck, even Eva and Dorina are possible scene-stealers at this point.

With only a quintet left in my scoresheet, I would give the title of Mutya ng Pilipinas 2014 to either Patrizia Bosco or Glennifer Perido in a heartbeat. I feel that any of the two can make a wonderful job of representing us in Miss Tourism International come New Year’s Eve. But hey, if one can be sent to another competition abroad (like, for example, the likes of Miss Italia nel Mondo or Top Model of the World), then things would fall in the right places.

But beware, I am not closing my doors on Froilene Villanueva just yet. She could be the strongest spoiler. If she officially makes the magic circle of 5, then expect a shuffling in placement the minute she gives out an impressive reply in the Q&A.

Not only are Froilene (24), Patrizia (25) and Glennifer (26) numbered consecutively. They also happen to be my Top 3 for Mutya ng Pilipinas 2014 (Photo credit: Melvin Sia for OPMB Worldwide)

All I can say in closing now is…”Good luck, ladies! 😀