Starting next month, the international pageant missions of our national beauty queens will begin one after another. October will have Miss Grand International and Miss Asia-Pacific International. November will follow with Reina Hispanoamericana, Miss International, Miss World, Miss Earth and – hopefully – Miss Universe.

December will jumpstart with Miss Supranational, Miss Intercontinental and Miss Tourism International.

So who among these ladies will have the highest rates of success in their respective missions?

From my vantage point, Elizabeth Clenci and Katarina Rodriguez have the good edge of winning their respective pageants abroad – the most obvious reason being that the Philippines has not won either Miss Grand International or Miss Intercontinental yet. But beyond that, both ladies will definitely stay within the immediate radar of their respective organizers, not to mention the fact that they can be excellent spokespersons for the group. And I’m not even factoring in the National Peace Ambassador status of Liz and the close social media interest of the MIC people in Katja.

Next in line, I am giving Laura Lehmann, Chanel Olive Thomas and Rachel Peters with the next highest probability of winning or making it in the topmost tier of finishers. The chances are still vacillating at the moment. But given what the Philippines has already shown in terms of brand sustainability and social media popularity, it would be unimaginable to see them not getting the placement/s that would prompt the Filipinos to continuously herald their domination – or growing intensity – in global pageantry.

News-worthy finishes should also be in store for Mariel de Leon, Karen Ibasco, Nelda Ibe and Jannie Alipo-on. No back-to-back has ever happened in Miss International ever so the possibility of Kylie Verzosa crowning her compatriot is dangling at 50/50. Karen Ibasco, on the other hand, is still coming off the two year-old 3rd win of the country in Miss Earth. And being host delegate is always a tricky situation to be in.

Nelda Ibe will do well in Albania, simply because she is a glowing physical presence. But to clinch a 2nd Miss Globe crown might not yet be in the offing so soon after Ann Colis (this inspite of the goodwill she has gave back to the organization since relinquishing her crown). But I trust a very good placement after last year’s belated 3rd Runner-Up announcement of Nichole Manalo.

As far as Miss Tourism International is concerned, the Malaysian officials have always been appreciative of our bets. In fact, I was told that Jannie Alipo-on was the personal choice of Tan Sri Datu Danny Ooi during the Mutya ng Pilipinas finals earlier last month. So a Top 5 finish is always very likely.

As for Ilene de Vera in Miss Asia-Pacific International, being host delegate is another potential hurdle on top of the brand still trying to gain more solid ground after its resurrection last year. But just like Ganiel Krishnan who finished 2nd Runner-Up, this beautiful Cebuana will also be up there.

So how will Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas 2017 Wyn Marquez establish herself in the country’s inaugural participation in the Latina-laden beauty competition? Truth be told, I still remain relatively clueless. I know that she will stand out in Bolivia regardless of the middling height. And knowing how she has been preparing hard for this, there will be a spot for Miss Filipinas alongside the other top performers. Who knows, she might even clinch a surprise victory that will give the 26 year-old competition a much needed shot-in-the-arm to keep up with the increasing popularity of its other counterparts in the pageant world.