Amanda will represent the Land of Smiles in the next edition of Miss Universe.
Many people are saying that either Punika or Veena should have won. But the way I see it, Thailand wants to play it safe with a representative who can communicate more freely in English so she can complete what Paweensuda failed to accomplish in 2019 – penetrate the Final 3 and hopefully become the 3rd Miss Universe titleholder of Thailand.
The competition is just about down to the wire with my Top 3 choices as the potential successor of the reigning Paweensuda Drouin. Any one among Amanda, Punika and Praveenar can take it all the way. But in the end, I pick Amanda Obdam as my ultimate winner.
Amanda Obdam, my top pick to win Miss Universe Thailand 2020
Miss International 2014 Valerie Hernandez Matias of Puerto Rico
Left to right: 3rd Runner-Up Victoria Tooby of UK, 1st Runner-Up Zulueta Suarez of Colombia, Miss International 2014 Valerie Hernandez Matias of Puerto Rico, 2nd Runner-Up Punika Kulsoontornroot of Thailand and 4th Runner-Up Milla Rompannen of Finland
The caption in Valerie's photo on the website fitted her nicely.
Puerto Rico won its 2nd* Miss International crown tonight after Valerie Hernandez Matias completed a come-from-behind victory and was named successor of last year’s Bea Rose Santiago. Zuleika Suarez of Colombia was 1st Runner-Up, while Punika Kulsoontornroot of Thailand duplicated her Miss Earth 2013 finish by making it as 2nd Runner-Up. Victoria Charlotte Tooby of UK and Milla Rompannen of Finland clinched 3rd and 4th Runner-Up placements, respectively.
It was a night of surprises indeed as heavy favorite Vianey Vasquez of Mexico failed to crack the Top 5. What’s worse, Miss Philippines Bianca Guidotti and Miss Netherlands Shane Bult did not even enter the Top 10. And the likes of Misses Panama and Argentina making it instead caught everyone with jaw-dropping reaction.
Valerie Hernandez Matias in different reaction shots upon winning
Zuleika Suarez was the night’s most awarded contestant. Aside from getting 1st Runner-Up, she also won Best Dresser and Miss Friendship. Indonesia got National Costume, India the Internet Beauty and France the Perfect Body awards.
The Top 5 will extend their stay in Tokyo now.
A very tearful Valerie, together with her court, will now stay in Tokyo until the 19th before she can return to Puerto Rico for a much-anticipated homecoming.
Congratulations to all the winners!
*-Puerto Rico won its 1st Miss International crown back in 1987 via Laurie Simpson Rivera.
The Miss International 2014 Contestants in their National Costumes
The ladies above are my Predicted Top 10 qualifiers for Miss International Beauty Pageant 2014
Who will Bea Rose Santiago crown on November 11?
I’m going out on a limb here and proclaim that my choice to win Miss International 2014 is Miss Philippines Bianca Guidotti. A back-to-back victory for the country! There, I’ve said it. Right off the bat.
Allow me now to look at the ladies who are likely to spoil things for our representative.
There’s the lady who, if only the prettiest is to be voted upon by the candidates will win hands down, Vianey del Rosario Vasquez Ramirez of Mexico.
There’s the best friend of Miss Philippines who will be equally happy if she or Bianca gets the title, Shauny Bult of the Netherlands.
There’s Osmel Sousa’s baby who, even if panned by many pageant followers, can still pull more than just a tennis elbow of a surprise given her 101% preparedness for the challenge – Michelle Bertolini.
There’s also the Thai beauty who shipped out of her commitments as Miss Water 2013 and faced up to the prospects of nailing a major crown to vindicate herself? Punika Kulsoontornroot could gift her country its first-ever Miss International win.
How about my 6th to 10th placers? Sri Lanka’s Tamara Makalanda and Rafaela Pardete can do rock-and-scissors to determine who is likely to steal a Top 5 spot from the aforementioned performers. But while they’re at it, it is very likely that Milla Romppanen of Finland could slip in and upend them for a sterling finish. Do keep in mind that Finnish stunners hold a soft spot among Japanese followers of the pageant.
And the Guyana girl? Ruqayyah is ready to do a Rocky (her nickname, incidentally) and outpunch fighters in her way. Either that, or Shani Hazan of Israel is given a clear shot to aim at one of the targets in the magic circle.
Since Miss International usually has 15 ladies being called on finals night, I decided to add five (5) more delegates as back-ups (or alternates).
And let’s not forget about the spoilers.
Others might think that Jhataleka Malhotra of India should be an easy Top 5 finisher. We’ll have to see about that. Her performance during the international forum was relatively underwhelming.
Also, let’s not forget about Aurianne Sinacola of France, Deise Benicio of Brazil and Victoria Charlotte Tooby of UK. These reps are also coming on strong – though running hot or cold at times.
Finally, the Zuleika of the group is a potential scene-stealer. But with her #15 ranking on my score sheet, the possibilities are not as confidently perceived as the ones higher than this Colombian’s cumulative output.
I am most ready to accept whatever the results will show on Tuesday night.
I have already written my piece.
In Kimono is my choice for Miss International 2014, Bianca Guidotti of the Philippines
If you feel like a back-to-back record for the Philippines in this beauty contest is the stuff that can only happen in dreams, then perhaps, it is time to wake up from deep slumber. Now, more than ever, is the time for Miss International to shine stronger in the global stage. With Bianca Guidotti possibly at the helm, she can create a visible platform that will definitely please more than make the organizers ill at ease.
And if only a runner-up placement is what’s in store for her, then I will accept the fate like a good sport. Because I’m pretty sure our bet – while she won’t fake the initial reaction to losing – can quickly move on with her head held high.
courtesy of isnaberongmacutelet
So in summary, my Top 5 will remain in this order: Philippines, Mexico, Netherlands, Venezuela and Thailand. 😉
The sixty (60) candidates of Miss International 2014 with last year’s winner Bea Rose Santiago (center)
There are already sixty (60) registered contestants of Miss International 2014 now enjoying the sights and sounds of Tokyo. Based on the confirmed number, though, there are still more than ten (10) additional delegates expected to arrive.
But basing initial assessment on those already head-counted at Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa, I have decided to reveal my early Top 10 picks. The list is definitely open to a lot of changes still. Many things can happen between now and early next month that could be game-changing for both the favorites and sleepers.
My early Top 10 picks for Miss International 2014. The list can definitely change as the competition progresses.
In summary, my running Top 5 are Mexico, Venezuela, Philippines, India and Belgium. The second-tier is a random sprinkling of delegates from Israel, France, Thailand, Colombia and UK. For now, the potential sleepers (or just to complete a Top 15) are Netherlands, Ecuador, Panama, Dominican Republic and Canada. 😉
Miss Philippines Bianca Guidotti with Miss Thailand Punika Kulsoontornroot and Miss Guyana Ruqayyah Boyer
So what could be interesting about the photo grid above aside from the fact that Miss Philippines Bianca Guidotti is included? Well, I heard that she was enthusiastically sought by both Miss Thailand Punika Kulsoontornroot and Miss Guyana Ruqayyah Boyer for the groupie and side-by-side shots.
There is already a go-to interest in whoever is wearing the Philippine sash. Credit goes to how well we Filipinos build up the name and face of our representatives online. And the Miss International competition is no different.
While the Thai beauty got some flak for opting to go for Miss International instead of finishing her contractual commitments with Miss Earth first, there is still no denying that she is a nice and friendly person by nature. Just like Ruqayyah who has already established fondness for Filipinos starting with Megan Young during Miss World 2013 all the way to her training here in Manila a couple of months back.
Let’s see if the three ladies will become good friends in a week or two. 😉
During the Presentation of Miss Thailand International 2014, Polly left everyone in the audience in awe. Just look at the young boy staring at her heels on the right pic.
Polly showong off her national costume (Photo credit: Thaimiss.com)
When controversially-appointed Miss Thailand International 2014 Punika “Polly” Kulsoontornroot departs for Tokyo next week to take part in Miss International 2014, she will be taking with her the warm wishes of her Thai countrymen to hopefully nail their first Mikimoto crown ever. During the recent presentation of the former Miss Water 2013, she amazed everyone with her beauty and poise.
But just the same, Polly still caught the thumbs down from many pageant fans for abandoning her 2nd Runner-up Elemental title during Miss Earth 2013 which led to an automatic dethronement from Carousel Productions. She has already issued a personal note online asking for understanding about her decision. Knowing that many Filipino fans are part of the dismayed followers, she also specified her continuous love for the Philippines and its people.
So are we good with that for now?
Anyways, I wish you a safe travel to the Land of the Rising Sun, Polly! 😉
Hi! Norman here. When I'm not working, I spend most of my free time planning on daily blogs. If you will notice, I always make sure that a fresh topic comes out everyday - not an easy thing to do but it's all good. Thanks for dropping by and enjoy the visit!
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After Fahsai last year, another Thai-Canadian emerged triumphant in the national stage this 2020.
normannorman.com Pageantry Norms
