Date: October 07, 2018
Venue: Mall of Asia Arena
First and foremost, let me say my congratulations to the new Miss World Philippines queens most especially to Katarina Rodriguez who successfuly managed to secured the rights to represent the country in China this December!
Now, let’s talk about that dangerously designed stage – lol. Seriously, whoever thought of that probably was hoping someone would fall off the two gaping holes in the middle! Kidding! Luckily, nobody did. The lighting and camera works was okay but not as good as last year’s edition. The whole thing just looks like a super-sized runway.
The MCs for the event are Miss World 1993 2nd Princess Ruffa Guttierez, GMA Artist Carla Abellana and Mister World 2012 Francisco Escobar. I thought Ruffa and Carla did a decent job engaging the contestants since they got to interview each winner of the fast track events which was rather tedious if I may just say so myself.
Francisco Escobar on the other hand was a total eye-candy but he seriously needs to do some workshop if he wanted to continue doing these stuff! It was so awkward and almost painful watching him! I know that English isn’t his first language but since he’s well-traveled and he’s been based in New York for a while now, I thought he’d be more articulate to say the least.
Introduction: The 2017 queens led the the very long dance sequence before the introduction of the 40 candidates. The contestants look cute with their opening dresses but the introduction felt stilted and the audio was not that good. The mic could barely pick up their voices.
In between segments are the corporate sponsors special awards.
Here’s the list of the special awards and fast track winners:
1. Miss Photogenic – Chanel Morales
2. Miss Blue Water Day Spa – Maureen Montagne & Katarina Rodriguez
3. Miss Best Skin – Alyssa Muhlach Alvarez
4. Miss Cosmo Skin – Katarina Rodriguez
5. Miss Tanduay – Maureen Montagne
6. Miss Erase Placenta – Alyssa Muhlach Alvarez & Chanel Morales
7. Miss BYS Philippines – Alyssa Muhlach Alvarez
8. Miss Philippines Airlines – Maureen Montagne
9. Miss GCOX – Maureen Montagne & Alyssa Muhlach Alvarez
10. Miss Resorts World Manila – Katarina Rodriguez
11. Miss Bench Body – Katarina Rodriguez
12. Best in Long Gown – Katarina Rodriguez
Fast Tracks Winners
Talent Competition: Marie Danica Reynes
Sports Competition: Kimilei Mugford
Beach Beauty: Katarina Rodrigues
Top Model: Maureen Montagne
Multimedia: Alyssa Muhlach Alvarez
Charity: Kim De Guzman
Top 16
#6 – Marie Danica Reynes
#9 – Arienne Louise Calingo
#10 – Pauline Labayo
#14 – Monique Tuzon
#21 – Annalita Vizcarra
#31 – Cleopatra Jones
Top 10 Question & Answer portion was facilitated by Ruffa and Miss World Philippines 2017 Laura Lehman who both did a great job in this segment by the way.
#5 – Kim De Guzman – A pageant party answer. She’s one of the girls I really liked before the Q&A. She should practice more because her answer was a generic answer that is very much forgettable.
#23 – Marianne Marquez – She gave a very practical and specific answer. Not as ‘pageant patty’ as most girls but still forgettable.
#32 – Kylah Sanchez – I loved her composure despite being only 16! Can you believe that? 16! She gave a decent answer, though the delivery could’ve been more precise.
#34 – Danielle Joie Magno – She was asked about crypto currency and I was like??!! Wtf? Her answer reminded me a bit of Pia Wurtzbach’s answer during the top 6 q&a of the Miss Universe 2015. It wasn’t very convincing but she was able to pull it off in a way that doesn’t make her sound like a dumb blonde.
photo via Miss World Philippines Facebook
2nd Princess: #11 Pearl Hung – Ugh. Pageant patty answer. I honestly don’t know why she was elected to a runner-up position.
1st Princess: #39 Chanel Morales – I do loved the sincerity in her voice. I thought she deserved her 1st runner-up placing. Her answer about shaming is beautiful! It may sound rehearsed to some but I thought it was one of the most hearfelt answers that night.
Miss Multinational Philippines 2018: Kimilei Mugford – It’s obvious that she’s very articulate and English is also obviously her first language. I personally thought she did better than Muhlach and should have gotten the RHA title but at the end of the day, she’s still a winner!
Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas 2018: Alyssa Muhlach Alvarez – She gave a very convincing answer about discrimation against women in the workplace but it wasn’t as eloquent in comparison to Kimi or Kata.
Miss Eco Philippines: Maureen Montagne – I find her answer a bit disappointing because she was just getting round and round. I wished she could’ve worded her answers differently or maybe she was just nervous?
Miss World Philippines 2018: Katarina Rodriguez – I do loved the casual way she answered her question. Along with Kimilei, I thought she delivered her answer full of sincerity despite almost sounding like it’s a memorized answer. I do trust her gift of gab, though, so I am happy that the judges made the right call to crown her the new Miss World Philippines!
Overall, it was a good program. It’s not as grand as last year – production-wise but it’s apt with the whole concept of Miss World. I loved how the ‘Beauty with a purpose’ theme was heavily mentioned throughout the night. Plus, we’ve got a new set of lovely queens that I’m sure would make us very proud yet again in the pageant arena!
Katarina Rodriguez now has the task to bring the blue crown back to the Philippines. After besting 39 other candidates for the top plum last night at the finals night of the Miss World Philippines 2018, this former Binibining Pilipinas queen and Asia’s Next Top Model alumnus will battle it out in Sanya, China to put the Philippines in the “World” stage (quite literally) again! If successful, she will be succeeding Manushi Chhillar of India and will become the second Miss World winner after Megan Young snatched the elusive blue crown back in 2013 in Bali.
Katarina Rodriguez first gained popularity as a contestant in the second season of Asia’s Next Top Model in 2014 where she finished third next to fellow Filipina contestants Jodilly Pendre and eventual winner Sheena Liam of Malaysia.
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