(L-R) Miss Vietnam Vu Thi Hoang My, Miss Philippines Shamcey Supsup, Miss Korea Jung So-ra, and Miss Thailand Chanyasorn Sakornchan.

Miss Malaysia Deborah Henry (2nd from left), Miss Indonesia Nadine Ames (3rd from left) and Miss Japan Maria Kamiyama (2nd from right) bond with Miss Trinidad & Tobago Gabrielle Walcott (extreme right) and Chelsae Durocher of Canada (extreme left).

Miss China Luo Zilin getting prepped up for her photoshoot.

Miss Australia Scherri-Lee Biggs flashing a modest grin while getting her hair done for the photoshoot.

Miss India Vasuki Sunkavalli giving her best pose for the carnival-themed photoshoot (Photo credit: Fotoarena.com.br)

Miss Philippines Shamcey Supsup (L) and Miss USA Alyssa Campanella

Miss Universe 2011 Delegates from Asia-Oceania are not about to get sidelined by the flashy Latinas and doll-like Europeans. In fact, they are getting more than their fair share of attention and are slowly inching towards the shortlist of several locals. True that sensuality is always half-missing in their aura, but there is nothing that can’t be learned in just a few days of mixing with the more smoldering beauties.

Right now, I heard it from the grapevine that Miss China Luo Zilin is getting favored left and right in Sao Paulo. Some rumors are even talking about MUO (Miss Universe Organization) grooming her for a possible win. Of course, take these talks with a grain of salt. The competition has just started and just about every candidate wants to get hold of the Miss Universe crown.

Photo credit: Fotoarena.com.br

And as for the country sashes above, is it just me or does the previous style – where the letters are stitched into the cloth sash – still look more attractive? Oh well… 😉