Imagine this, if you will.
A horse race with eleven (11) competitive jockeys at the starting gate.
And then the starting pistol was fired.
During the first furlong, two thoroughbreds grabbed the lead – securing their spots as horse bettors’ picks.
Going into the second to fourth furlongs, though, the initially underrated thoroughbreds started to step up and take the lead one after the other.
Now that the race is starting to wind up, the initial leaders are back at the top of their games and looking more and more like big winners.
Who will cross the finish line first?
That is the story of Miss Universe Philippines 2023 from where I blog.
At the onset, Pauline Amelinckx of Bohol and Michelle Dee of Makati jumped to the lead in fast and furious fashion.
And then slowly, the likes of Krishnah Gravidez of Baguio, Angelique Manto of Pampanga, Klyza Castro of Davao Oriental, Samantha Panlilio of Cavite, Emmanuelle Vera of Cebu Province and even Christine Opiaza of Zambales started proving their individual mights to the excitement of their fans and supporters. Now the race is becoming very competitive.
Now that we are on the penultimate day before the Finals, the momentum has suddenly shifted back to Amelinckx and Dee. The Preliminaries have greatly helped their causes.
It’s all up to the Boholana and the Makatizen if they will allow other comers to muddle up their positions at the top.
As for me, I vote for Pauline Amelinckx as Miss Universe Philippines 2023. I like Michelle Dee as well, but the former is looking like the template the Miss Universe Organization is searching for.
My Final Predictions are
Pauline Amelinckx – MUPH2023
Michelle Dee – Tourism
Klyza Castro – Charity
1st Runner-Up – Krishnah Gravidez
2nd Runner-Up- Angelique Manto
Top 11
Emmanuelle Vera
Samantha Panlilio
Jannarie Zarzoso
Christine Opiaza
Kali Navea Huff
Airissh Ramos (my wildcard)
P.S. We all know that there will be no official proclamation of a Miss Supranational Philippines and Miss Charm Philippines. But if Michelle Dee and Klyza Castro get their respective post-coronation appointments as such, then I’m all good with them getting the crowns.
Posted @withregram • @themissuniverseph Congratulations to the winners of our National Costume Competition! 👑🌾
Earlier today, the Virtual Press Presentation of the Aliwan Fiesta Digital Queen 2021 Top 12 Finalists was held with members of the pageant media to doing initial checks on the ladies vying for the title. This annual competition – formerly known in the old normal as Reyna ng Aliwan – focuses on the different festivals being celebrated around the country with the lovely faces of the contenders leading the way in promoting their respective towns or provinces’ celebrations.
The virtual pageant has four (4) different preliminary segments scheduled for the entire month of September going into early October. They are Pride of Place, Talent & Skills, Queens for a Cause and Evening Gown Competition. By October 9, the Awarding and Coronation Night will select the successor of last year’s Jannarie Zarzoso (right photo) who completed a meaningful reign that saw her getting engaged in several charity and community-assistance activities made more important because of the pandemic still happening in our midst.
Jannarie Zarzoso, a 21 year-old winsome charmer representing Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte, was hailed as the first-ever Aliwan Fiesta Digital Queen 2020. She is a Magna cum Laude graduate in Accounting Technology from the Fr Saturnino Urios University and finished Accountancy from the Surigao Education Center. A psoriasis warrior and pianist who loves public speaking and traveling, she wowed the judges with her consistency from start to finish. She was also named recipient of the Netizens Choice Award in the competition.
Coming in as 1st Runner-Up is the tall and regal Jasmine Omay of Tarlac City (right) who is now studying to be an aviation pilot, while completing the Top 3 finishers is 18 year-old high school student Allyssa May Nicholls of Isulan, Sultan Kudarat who placed 2nd Runner-Up.
Kudos to the six other finalists who competed for the crown. They are Bianca Wilhelmina Willemsen of Consolacion, Cebu / Alana Monica Rhedey of Baguio City / Nicole Angela Crescini of Boracay, Aklan / Katrina Anne Johnson of Davao City / Esperanza Francisco of Naga City and Sharon Idone of Iloilo.
Today begins the three-week competition to find the first-ever Aliwan Fiesta Digital Queen 2020. 
Candidate #1 Jasmine Omay of Tarlac is a willowy 5 feet 10 inches stunner, who plays the violin and guitar, and loves to sing. The 21-year-old took up business management and entrepreneurship at Tarlac State University and is now studying to be an aviation pilot. She holds a special spot in her heart for cancer patients through the Kythe Foundation.
Bianca Wilhelmina Willemsen of Consolacion, Cebu is candidate #2. She is 21 years old and studies at Cebu Technological University. Bianca is into karate, baking, and designing clothes. Half-Dutch, she also loves to read, sing, and dance.
Candidate #3 Jannarie Zarzoso of Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte is 21 years old, and holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting technology (magna cum laude) from the Fr Saturnino Urios University and in accountancy from the Surigao Education Center. A psoriasis warrior who loves public speaking and travelling, Hannah plays the piano and runs a small business in her hometown called Nami, which specializes in milk tea concoctions.
The tallest finalist at nearly 5’11”, Alana Monica Rhedey of Baguio City is candidate #4. Monica is 20 years old and studies at the University of the Cordilleras. She is into belly-dancing and painting, and is very interested in the arts and photography, apart from being active with the Baguio Animal Lovers League. 
Candidate #5 is Nicole Angela Crescini who carries the torch for Boracay, Aklan. Nics is 20 years old and is a student at Far Eastern University. She loves gardening, cooking, and also sings. This island girl has chosen the Malaynon Ati Tribe as her special charity. Lineage-wise, she is half-Danish.
The sixth candidate, Katrina Johnson of Davao, holds a degree in Pharmacy from the University of the Immaculate Conception. A spoken word enthusiast, Kat is 22, indulges in live poetry, and is heavily involved in community service via the Maharlika Foundation, which offers free medical assistance to those who cannot afford nor access health care facilities in their region.
Esperanza Francisco, in turn, is the standard bearer for Bicolanos as candidate #7. The 25-year-old manages the Front Office at the Avenue Hotel in Naga City. A tourism graduate of the Mariners Polytechnic Colleges, Bem loves watching documentaries. She joined the contest to prove that beauty is not just in a woman’s physical appearance, but more importantly emanates from within.
Candidate #8 is Sharon Idone, 19 years old. She is proudly representing Iloilo City. A freshman Financial Management student at the University of San Agustin, Shawie was born in Italy and loves to act and dance. She took part in a previous edition of Dinagyang Festival Queen.
Finally, there is candidate #9 Allyssa Nicholls of Isulan, Sultan Kudarat. The 18-year-old senior high school student is into singing, sports, nature, and cycling. She is batting for wildlife preservation in her province.
normannorman.com 