Super six of 2013

Two Spanish Senoritas.
One French Belle.
One Filipina Fighter.
One Ethiopian Jewish Diva.
And a Japanese Eye Candy.

These six lovely women, in my opinion, are the most memorable non-winning* faces in the major pageants of 2013.

Marine Lorphelin
The Frenchwoman who almost gave Miss World 2013 Megan Young a run for her money is one of the most beautiful Miss France ever. Up to the dying minutes of the finals, she was in the thick of the hunt for the blue crown. If only she competed in another year, then her country would have snatched its 2nd Miss World win (after 1953’s Denise Perrier).

Patricia Yurena Rodriguez
The “crossover casualty”** of Miss Universe 2013 was supposed to be the one wearing the Diamond Nexus Lab crown up until the actual announcement when it was Gabriela Isler’s name that got called. Her evening gown performance was unforgettable and it remains permanently etched in my mind as the most elegantly seductive turn in a Miss Universe final.

Elena Ibarbia
The cosmopolitan chick of Miss World 2013 is actually part of the original trifecta (along with Megan and Marine) that was expected to take it to the top until the finals. Sure, she got included cut after painful cuts. But when there were just five (plus People’s Champion Gibraltar) left, she started losing grip of the competition and was sadly left out of the Top 3 after a less-than-convincing monologue on why she deserves to win over the others.

Angelee delos Reyes
She wanted so much to win Miss Earth 2013. Her determination was exceeded only by a lingering frown coming from the two consecutive Top 4 placements of her predecessors that were deemed undeserving. And despite predictions that she might be a sacrificial lamb by way of just entering Top 8 max, she went on with a fierce gameface during the finals. She was the vision of a potential victor who should have made it as an elemental choice based on Q&A alone.

Yityish Titi Aynaw
Being the first Ethiopian to actually wear the Miss Israel has its unique perks. Aside from having actually been given the chance to personally meet US President Barack Obama, all eyes are feasting on the tall Titi from the time she won the nationals all the way to Moscow where she was tipped to make a big impact during the prelims and finals of Miss Universe 2013. Alas, her alleged diva attitude did not go unreported and was, in fact, a good fodder for pageant gossip followers. She clapped in the end.

Michiko Tanaka
The roommate from heaven who made the over-extended stay in Bali more bearable, Michiko benefitted from having a pre-Miss World 2013 Megan Young keeping her company at the end of each day. And she reciprocated by becoming the sweetest and most thoughtful friend to our rep. Oh, and she also has the one of the most charming faces of a Japanese delegate that I’ve seen.

So there. My six memorable non-winning* beauties of 2013. Would you like to share your personal inclusions? 😉

* ‘Non-winning’ refers to not being able to get the top crown.
** Patricia crossed over from the riskier Miss World to Miss Universe route than the safer opposite.