Who’s afraid of Katarina Rodriguez?

I titled this blog entry as such because – like it or not – the former Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental is the woman to beat in Miss World Philippines 2018.

But I am telling you right now – Katarina is not invincible in the competition. The crown is hers to lose, so one misstep can easily allow the rest to step in and take her place.

Katarina, Alyssa and Maureen

For the Miss World Philippines 2018 crown, she has two big threats – Alyssa Muhlach Alvarez and Maureen Montagne – who cannot be taken lightly. The top title is really a three-cornered fight among them. They all have the Miss World template cut out precisely – articulate, beautiful, full of purpose – and everything will depend on who will get the highest scores (or the most #1 nods) among the judges.

Alyssa, Kim and Arienne

Now, if Alyssa Muhlach Alvarez is deemed to be a better fit for Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas (being a celebrity performer and all), then she will now face the stiffest fights from two other beauties – Kim de Guzman and Arienne Calingo – who are being eyed as potential grabbers of Win-Wyn’s national crown.

Katrina, Denj and Marianne

Now let’s go to Miss Eco Philippines. Here, we can see the field being narrowed down to Alyssa Muhlach Alvarez (once more) against the emerging spoiler favorites Marianne Marquez, Denj Magno and Katrina Acaylar. This is interesting because if we go by the peg of reigning Miss Eco International Cynthia Thomalla, then either Alyssa or Katrina will get the edge. But the former wants to get a better win so I would go for Katrina first and Marianne second. Denj is the darkest (no pun intended) horse in this one.

Pearl, Paulina and Monique

That leaves us with the Miss Multinational Philippines sash that will be another three-way contest among Pearl Hung, Paulina Labayo and Monique Tuzon. This is – by far – the trickiest to predict because Sophia Seneron poses a profile that would benefit Kylah Sanchez who is only 16 years old. So the latter is out. Sadly. I will go for either Pearl or Paulina winning this title.

The cuts for Sunday’s finals – I was told – will be Top 16 moving to Top 10 and the announcement of winners from there after a rigorous Q&A challenge. There will be two runners-up to the four crowned contenders.

So just to make a lineup of my Top 16, I would list:

1. Katarina Rodriguez
2. Alyssa Muhlach Alvarez
3. Maureen Montagne
4. Kim de Guzman
5. Arienne Calingo
6. Katrina Acaylar
7. Denj Magno
8. Marianne Marquez
9. Pearl Hung
10. Paulina Labayo
11. Monique Tuzon
12. Kylah Sanchez
13. Elaiza Alzona
14. Jerelleen Rodriguez
15. Rose Murphy
16. Angelica Estrevillo

#1-#10 above are already my personal Top 10 for the competition.

So who’s afraid of Katarina Rodriguez? I would say none. Because at this juncture, everyone is in fierce contention. I just made a predicted short list above based on how performances in the different challenges have unraveled.

If you won’t be able to watch live on October 7, the TV telecast will follow on GMA-7 at 10:30PM. Same night.