Whose destiny will it be?
So many unanswered questions in my mind that will finally be clarified soon.
Will the Philippines win its 5th or Colombia its 3rd? Will Italy achieve its historic first win in the competition? Will the USA quench its longing for a new win after more than 10 years of waiting for its 9th? In the same breath, will Venezuela nail their 8th? Or will a totally surprise (and surprised) winner from a country with middling sash factor walk off with the Mouawad crown?
I honestly believe that one of the sixteen ladies above is capable of becoming the 71st Miss Universe, but none as strong a chance as the ones occupying the first five (5) slots:
Philippines – Celeste Cortesi
Colombia – Maria Fernanda Aristizabal
USA – R’Bonney Gabriel
Italy – Virginia Stablum
Venezuela – Amanda Dudamel
Dominican Republic – Andreina Martinez Founier
Peru – Alessia Rovegno
Puerto Rico – Ashley Ann Cariño
Brazil – Mia Mamede
Thailand – Anna Sueangam-Iam
Gabriela Dos Santos – Curacao
Ndavi Nokeri – South Africa
Guatemala – Ivana Batchelor
Bahrain – Evlin Khalifa
Mexico – Irma Miranda
Cambodia – Manita Hang
If it’s true that the cut from the Top 16 will go straight to a razor-sharp Top 5 right away, then I will keep my faith in the Philippines, Colombia, USA, Italy and Venezuela to take their positions before all Q&As begin.
I’d really like to see the Final 3 being the same countries which made it that far during Miss Universe 2015 when Pia Wurtzbach won. It will be so cool to have Miss Philippines and Miss USA (who is half-Filipina) up there. If they will end up holding hands as the last two women standing, then I will go for Celeste Cortesi as the 71st Miss Universe.
So why is Celeste Cortesi my pick to win the 71st Miss Universe crown? She will make an excellent first titleholder under the new ownership of Anne Jakrajutatip. Transformation becomes her, having evolved from the throes of an unpleasant past in pageantry into a woman who can be beautifully confident – someone who can summon and sustain the continued popularity of the brand that Miss Universe has been known for.
She said it herself. “Miss Universe is a destiny.” Will it be hers? I’d like to think it will be.
Photo credit: Missosology
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Before the Preliminaries of the 71st Miss Universe unfold in New Orleans, Louisiana, allow me to share the ladies I expect to deliver in both the swimsuit and evening gown rounds. Instead of ranking them according to my personal preference, I opted to present them in alphabetical order first before making any Final Predictions earlier during the weekend:
Among our ASEAN neighbors, there are still nations that remain unplaced in Miss Universe – and no, it doesn’t include Malaysia because they already got one back in the 70s. I’m referring to Cambodia and Laos. 
Our low-key ASEAN neighbors are starting to step up in its efforts to shine in international pageantry. 
normannorman.com 