The last time the pageant-crazy nation of The Philippines hosted the Miss Universe pageant in 1994, even the non-winning contestants became instant celebrities.
Sushmita Sen of course, became the first Indian Miss Universe and got her self an important spot in Bollywood. But the limelight was not just for her. There was the media favorite Christelle Rhoelandts of Belgium, controversial personality Vivika Babajee of Mauritius and the post-event celebrity and Ogie Alcasid's ex-wife Michelle van Eimeren of Australia.
Before, it was about who will become local actresses or models or who will be married to a local billionaire. Sure, we love dramatic endings to a glamorous event. But as the competition becomes fiercer, the girls and the pageant fans are now all about who has more chances of winning the crown.
Here are the pre-arrival favorites.
While there is still some bad blood between The Philippines and Colombia as far as Miss Universe is concerned, Filipino pageant fans cannot deny that Miss Colombia is a favorite to win the crown, yet again. The media can use some good stories from that Steve Harvey hosting mishap too.
Andrea is only the second Miss Colombia of black decent. Her sharp pageant skills, which are comparable to her predecesors Paulina Vega, who won in 2014, and Ariadna Gutierrez, who placed first runner-up in 2015, puts her ahead of the pack.
When is a Miss Venezuela not a favorite in a Miss Universe contest? Not ever.
But the hometown crowd wasn't happy when Mariam Habach was chosen by their national pageant to be their representative. Many scratched their heads, observing how weak of a Miss Universe contestant will Mariam be. But pageant observers saw a massive improvement since she won her national title. They're so impressed that Missossology ranked her as number 4 in their latest top picks.
Before, it was about who will become local actresses or models or who will be married to a local billionaire. Sure, we love dramatic endings to a glamorous event. But as the competition becomes fiercer, the girls and the pageant fans are now all about who has more chances of winning the crown.
Miss Colombia, Andrea Tovar
While there is still some bad blood between The Philippines and Colombia as far as Miss Universe is concerned, Filipino pageant fans cannot deny that Miss Colombia is a favorite to win the crown, yet again. The media can use some good stories from that Steve Harvey hosting mishap too.
Andrea is only the second Miss Colombia of black decent. Her sharp pageant skills, which are comparable to her predecesors Paulina Vega, who won in 2014, and Ariadna Gutierrez, who placed first runner-up in 2015, puts her ahead of the pack.
Miss Venezuela, Mariam Habach
But the hometown crowd wasn't happy when Mariam Habach was chosen by their national pageant to be their representative. Many scratched their heads, observing how weak of a Miss Universe contestant will Mariam be. But pageant observers saw a massive improvement since she won her national title. They're so impressed that Missossology ranked her as number 4 in their latest top picks.
Miss Brazil, Raissa Santana
Another latina? Not really. Or she is but she doesn't look like one. After all, Raissa is Brazil's first black Miss Universe representative.
In her national pageant, everyone fell in love with Raissa that they were so satisfied with the results when she was proclaimed the winner. The experienced runway model is ready to wipe the competition away in Manila as far as catwalk is concerned.
In her national pageant, everyone fell in love with Raissa that they were so satisfied with the results when she was proclaimed the winner. The experienced runway model is ready to wipe the competition away in Manila as far as catwalk is concerned.
Miss Thailand, Chalita Suansane
Now that the Miss Universe has come to Asia, Asian bets are taking that as an opportunity to surge ahead in the competition by sending an army of screaming fans. Not only is it a confidence booster for their delegate. We also know that a giant pool of supporters adds pressure to the judging table.
Not that Chalita needs fans because she is an overall stunner. After last year's Top 10 finish, Thailand's best performance since winning the pageant in 1988, the southeast Asian kingdom wants to bring home no less than the crown this year. And Chalita is very much capable of doing that.
Not that Chalita needs fans because she is an overall stunner. After last year's Top 10 finish, Thailand's best performance since winning the pageant in 1988, the southeast Asian kingdom wants to bring home no less than the crown this year. And Chalita is very much capable of doing that.
Miss Indonesia, Kezia Warouw
Indonesian contestants entered the Top 15 for the past three editions from 2013 to 2015. And for this year, there's no way but up for the world's fourth most populous country. With the help of an army of pageant enthusiasts, insiders say that Indonesia is sending their best delegate yet.
Can Indonesia be the 7th Asian country to win Miss Universe after The Philippines, Thailand, India, Japan, Israel and Lebanon? And can Kezia be the 12th Asian Miss Universe? Let's see.
Can Indonesia be the 7th Asian country to win Miss Universe after The Philippines, Thailand, India, Japan, Israel and Lebanon? And can Kezia be the 12th Asian Miss Universe? Let's see.
Miss Barbados, Shannon Harris
Do you know where Barbados is? Don't be too hard on yourself if you don't.
Barbados is a small island country located southeast of Miami, Florida, USA and just north of Venezuela. So the overflow of beautiful girls isn't really surprising. But given this, Barbados was absent in the Miss Universe pageant for 8 years. It is scheduled to make a comeback this year. And it is no less than a grand comeback with a very gorgeous contestant.
The 22 year-old stunner Shannon is a professional model and has worked in major runways across the globe. She is constantly in the top 10 of Missossology's early predictions so it woulnd't be surprising if she'll make it far come pageant night. And you know how biased the MUO is on countries returning to the pageant after a long absence or those competing for the first time.
Barbados is a small island country located southeast of Miami, Florida, USA and just north of Venezuela. So the overflow of beautiful girls isn't really surprising. But given this, Barbados was absent in the Miss Universe pageant for 8 years. It is scheduled to make a comeback this year. And it is no less than a grand comeback with a very gorgeous contestant.
The 22 year-old stunner Shannon is a professional model and has worked in major runways across the globe. She is constantly in the top 10 of Missossology's early predictions so it woulnd't be surprising if she'll make it far come pageant night. And you know how biased the MUO is on countries returning to the pageant after a long absence or those competing for the first time.
Miss Philippines, Maxine Medina
Since 2010, the Philippines is always a contender for the Miss Universe crown. That's mainly because of the unwavering support of the fans. What more if the pageant is done in the country?
Maxine Medina may have started as a weak delegate but she has shown massive improvements in the last few months. As a proof, she is always in the Top 10 list of pageant insiders, local and abroad. A few more harnessing of her Q&A skills and a back-to-back win for the Philippines could be possible.
Maxine Medina may have started as a weak delegate but she has shown massive improvements in the last few months. As a proof, she is always in the Top 10 list of pageant insiders, local and abroad. A few more harnessing of her Q&A skills and a back-to-back win for the Philippines could be possible.
For real-time updates about the upcoming Miss Universe, follow us on Twitter @mjdeleonblogs. You can also follow the hashtag #GlitzMissUniverse on Twitter and Instagram for more glamourous stuff about the pageant.
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