I’ve been regularly checking updates about the new Miss World Philippines franchise since Madam Cory Quirino ended the contract with the Miss World Organization and the controversy-laden pageant is now under the helm of Arnold Vegafria  as its new National Director.

I’ve only followed the rest of the proceedings through social media and I’ve only seen a couple of them in person. Interestingly enough, it was the eventual top 2 – Laura Lehman whom I had a close encounter with during the press conference of the 2014 Binibining Pilipinas Winners and Teresita Ssen Marquez whom I’ve seen live during the Binibining Pilipinas 2015 proceedings.

I’ve watched the finals thru a live streaming on Facebook and the very delayed telecast on GMA 7. The show was hosted by Carla Abellana, Iya Villania-Arellano, KC Montero and Miss World 2013 Megan Young.

I really loved Carla doing this kind of gig. She’s so eloquent and calm. Some may find her boring but I actually find it refreshing since this is the kind of beauty pageant that’s more on the subdued side.

Iya Villania, KC Montero and Carla Abellana

Iya Villania on the other hand was her opposite. She’s a seasoned emcee as well as KC Montero so it’s not surprising that they’d do well.  Somehow they balanced out Carla’s calm demeanor in hosting.

Megan during the Top 10 Q& A with the eventual winner of the top plum!

Miss World 2013 Megan Young facilitated the final question and answer portion of the event and she was her usual charming self! She should host all of our national beauty pageants to be honest! She’s so good!

Awardees:
Fastrack Events who automatically advanced into the Top 15.
Sports – Glyssa Perez
Beach Beauty – Teresita Ssen Marquez
Talent – Teresita Ssen Marquez
Multimedia – Laura Victoria Lehman
Top Model – Cynthia Thomalla

Special Awards
Miss Photogenic 32 Cynthia Thomalla
Best in Long Gown 32 Cynthia Thomalla

Sponsors Awards
Miss Blue Water Day Spa 32 Cynthia Thomalla
Miss Best Skin 26 Janela Joy Cuaton
Miss Cosmo Skin 15 Laura Victoria Lehmann
Miss Savoy Hotel Boracay 9 Teresita Ssen Marquez
Zalora People’s Choice 13 Kathryn Jade Cudiamat
Miss BYS Philippines 15 Laura Victoria Lehmann
Miss Fila 3 Glyssa Perez
Miss Bench Body 9 Teresita Ssen Marquez

The Top 15.
The favored quartet at this point: Laura, Teresita, Cynthia and Janela all made it through.

#15 – Laura Victoria Lehmann
#9 – Teresita Ssen Marquez
#32 – Cynthia Thomalla
#3 – Glyssa Perez
#35 – Sophia Señoron
#24 – Zara Carbonell
#28 – Sheila Marie Reyes
#6 – Jona Ili Sweett
#14 – Cristina Marie Coloma
#26 – Janela Joy Cuaton
#27 – Ella Eiveren Lubag
#11 – Gabriela Madarieta Ortega
#12 – Henna Kaizelle Cajandig
#22 – Chelsea Anne Manalo
#33 – Noelle Uy-Tuazon

The Top Ten:

#15 – Laura Victoria Lehmann – Laura’s gift of gab sealed the deal for her after battling Cynthia and Teresita all throughout the night, it all came down to this very crucial question and answer portion. Her answer reminds me so much of Lara Dutta’s answer during the Miss Universe 2000 in a roundabout way.

#9 – Teresita Ssen Marquez – She’s my favorite from the get go but I guess Laura got majority of the judges favor since Wynwyn’s sweet and somehow very “rehearsed-sounding” answer fell short. It was still one of the best answers of the night though and she looked absolutely ravishing!

#32 – Cynthia Thomalla – If she had delivered her answer with confidence, she could have gotten the top plum because, damn girl is so effervescent on stage! I need to see her on a Binibining Pilipinas stage in the future!

#35 – Sophia Señoron – She gave a very good answer but I think what the judges saw in her is her sincerity more than anything else. It’s obvious that she’s real smart and still looks very young but there’s something about her that is very charming thus usurping early favorites for the four crowns at stake.

#3 – Glyssa Perez– She gave a really good albeit a forgettable answer.

#24 – Zara Carbonell – She’s very eloquent and I loved her styling! She probably just fell short of votes from the judges to win one of the crowns.

#28 – Sheila Marie Reyes – There’s really nothing wrong with religious-themed answers but it tends to not go well with the audience especially in beauty pageants. It’s just so pageant patty.

#6 – Jona Ili Sweett – She had one of the most difficult questions in my opinion. Cmon’ she’s not Mother Teresa.

#14 – Cristina Marie Coloma – She’s pretty enough and her answer was okay but just not strong enough.

#26 – Janela Joy Cuaton – I loved her but her answer for me was the weakest.

Winners

Laura with reigning Miss World Stephanie Del Valle and Miss World Philippines 2016 Catriona Gray

Miss World Philippines 2017 #15 – Laura Victoria Lehmann

After the incident last year in the US when our dear Catriona was robbed of a crown (yes, please you haters we all know she was fucking robbed so shut your trap), a lot of Filipino pageant fans were outraged and right at this moment (including moi) are still mad as hell so what do I think of Laura’s chances in Sanya, China this year? I think she’d do well this time. For one, Julia Morley is eager to please the Filipino pageant fans and pundits again. Philippines after all is her “favorite country” *rolls-eyes*.

One more thing going for Laura’s favor is the sudden political upturn of China and the Philippines’ relationship. Even if you think our on and off rift with China wasn’t a factor in the past – think again. I still think that it plays a part for our delegates – can you believe that? A beauty pageant! Haha!

Lastly, Laura may not be as well-rounded as Catriona but she’s a very worthy delegate. She got the beauty and the brains. Let’s just hope that Lola Julia will favor her come Miss World this year.

Teresita Ssen Marquez with Miss World 2016 2nd Runner-up Natasha Manuella

Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas 2017 #9 – Teresita Ssen Marquez

She will be the first Filipina to participate in the Latina-dominated pageant and it’s not an easy task for her but knowing WynWyn, I know that she’d do her best to learn Spanish and impress everyone the way she did in the national pageants back in 2015 and this year.

Cynthia with Miss World 1993 Second Princess Ruffa Guttierez and Miss World 2016 Continental Queens – Dominican Republic’s Yaritza Reyes (Carribean) and Kenya’s Evelyn Enjami (Africa)

Miss ECO Philippines 2017 #32 – Cynthia Thomalla. No comment. She should just resign and join the Binibining Pilipinas 2018. Kidding! I’ve no idea about her pageant but she’d be sent out to Egypt! Pretty swell if you ask me! A free trip and if she end up winning it! Double whammy!

Sophia with Miss World 2016 Continental Queen from Australia (Oceania) and GMA News Anchor, Vicky Morales

Miss Multinational Philippines 2017 #35 – Sophia Señoron. Congratulations! Not very sure as well about her pageant assignment but she’s be shipped to India for Miss Multinational. I hope she’d do well!

1st Princess #3 – Glyssa Perez and 2nd Princess #24 – Zara Carbonell

Lastly, thank you my dear Catriona – you made us proud in your journey with or without a crown – you are still our Miss World ❤

What are your thoughts on the winners this year?

pictures courtesy of Miss World Philippine Official Facebook Page