In three days’ time, the winners of Binibining Pilipinas 2018 will be announced in a grand coronation at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Six girls will be crowned and will represent the country in these pageants: Miss Universe, Miss International, Miss Supranational, Miss Grand International, Miss Intercontinental, and Miss Globe.
With that being said, let me present to you my final pick for these titles, along with the girls whom I think will most likely spoil it for each title.
Binibining Pilipinas – Globe
The Miss Globe organization is a generous organization that has already gifted us two winners: Maricar Balagtas in 2001 (before the conflicts between the owners and when it was still an Istanbul-based pageant) and, most recently, Ann Colis (2015, now simply Miss Globe, based in Canada). Nelda Ibe almost got the title last year, and it’s easy to say that the organization is basically looking for a polished contestant to represent their brand. With that being said, I would pick Vickie Rushton as the best delegate to represent the Philippines. With her sultry look and very interesting background, she could easily seal the deal for our third win.
Most Likely to Upset: Ma. Andrea Abesamis. Aya’s polarizing appeal may do wonders overseas, and she could clinch the third Miss Globe title for the country just as easily.
Binibining Pilipinas – Grand International
This budding Thai-owned pageant has been a tough nut to crack for the Philippines. The country has been sending top-notch delegates such as Parul Shah, Nicole Cordoves, and Elizabeth Clenci from last year, who finished 3rd overall. With ‘promotion of peace and love’ as the pageant’s motto, I could easily envision Dr. Ena Velasco using her profession to easily see her way through the top and win the country’s first Miss Grand International title. Blessed with a pleasant mix of Pacific and Oriental beauty, Ena is the perfect girl to win this title.
Most Likely to Upset: Karen Gallman’s beauty is definitely Nawat’s type of beauty. She’s like a petite Latina beauty contestant, and we all know how much Nawat loves her Latinas. Karen is a solid candidate, but her height pretty much derails her chances of clinching the top two crowns.
Binibining Pilipinas – Intercontinental
Like in Miss Grand International, the country hasn’t won its first crown from this pageant. Pageant fans and pundits were in shock earlier this year when favorite Katarina Rodriguez failed to snag the crown, but since it’s all done and over with, it seems like the best contestant to send here is the polarizing beauty of Ma. Andrea Verdadero Abesamis. I initially pegged her as the ultimate spoiler for the Miss Universe Philippines crown, but as we approach the finale, it looks like Aya will be best suited for this pageant for its unpredictability.
Most Likely to Upset: Michele Gumabao may also be a good fit for this pageant. She’s a great talker and has an amazing personality that nobody can resist.
Binibining Pilipinas – Supranational
If there is one contestant who could charm this Europe-based pageant, Michele Gumabao, with her statuesque frame and fun personality, may just be the girl for it. Since the win of Korea’s Jenny Kim last year, it’s now kind of difficult to say if her win was just a bleep from their usual type of winners, but knowing Michele could easily adjust the way she did from being a professional athlete into becoming a beauty pageant contestant, she could easily make her presence known and perhaps get our second win from this pageant.
Most Likely to Upset: I’ve got to settle for Ahtisa right here as the second-best for this title. If she’s unable to clinch the international sash, she could easily be our Miss Supranational representative, where her beauty will surely be appreciated first and foremost.
Binibining Pilipinas – International
This is actually a tricky one for me because I’ve consistently pitted two girls for this title since the very beginning. I thought it’d be a two-way battle between Vickie Rushton and Ahtisa Manalo, but lo and behold, Sigrid Grace Flores came out of nowhere, leading up to the final stretch of the competition. Her contagious smile and glowing aura during the Parade of Beauties and her communication skills that were briefly showcased during The Road to the Crown were enough to render Vickie and Ahtisa’s arsenal weak enough to clinch the second-highest title in the competition.
Most Likely to Upset: Angelie Asuncion. She’s one of the few girls who stood out for me in the televised Road to the Crown primer. What a revelation! She reminds me so much of her camp sister, Janicel Lubina. If Sigrid doesn’t make it past Ahtisa and Vickie, I’ve no problem with Angelie nabbing this title.
Miss Universe Philippines
This has been Catriona’s title to lose since the very beginning. Catriona went to the screening battle-ready, and up to this point, she’s the girl that’s been tagged as the one to beat and the girl with the complete package. Barring any “political” moves against her, the probability of her getting the top plum is almost 100%.
Her gift of gab, facial beauty, elegant aura, towering height, and international experience are what made her my ultimate Miss Universe Philippines.
Most Likely to Upset: Another fan favorite, Michele Gumabao, may provide a hurdle to Catriona’s path to the MUP crown, but I honestly don’t see her usurping Cat for the top title of the night.
I recall reading a comment from somewhere that actually encapsulated my thoughts about the Bb.Pilipinas Organization choosing the new Miss Universe Philippines. If they are gunning for the fourth Miss Universe crown, they should crown Catriona. If they’re after the continuous semis streak, choose Michele or Ena. If we want to rest for a bit and give others a chance to penetrate the semis, pick Aya.
I am now going to pray that we’d get the best results come Sunday night #forthePhilippines
PADDYLAST INC. 