Choosing my Top 15 in this year’s Bb. Pilipinas 2014 was a painful chore not unlike waxing my legs or visiting the dentist. But only because I had a hard time choosing from among this year’s collection of 40 gorgeous gals! It seems like our nation’s success in winning beauty titles the past few years is attracting the most stunning and accomplished young Filipinas to the world of competitive pageants.
Note that I did not directly forecast anything for the Tourism title because I have deep misgivings about it and feel that its an empty title. Since I have much to say about this, I’ll save it for a different post. Meantime….
…on to my fearless forecast of 15 Top Binbinis for 2014!!!
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MY TOP 5:
My Top 5 Girls – clockwise from upper left – Kris Tiffany Janson, Pia Wurtzbach, Parul Shah, Hannah Ruth Sison and Yvethe Santiago
1) Parul Shah for Miss Universe Philippines.
Several reasons why I think Parul is perfect for the Universe Philippines title – she’s got that wide crescent moon smile that is the hallmark of many MU winners. This Fil-Indian charmer has a sexy, tight body and flat, muscular abs – the build Miss Universe tends to favor. This is the 2nd time for Parul to join Bb. Pilipinas after making it to the semi-finals last year.
2) Kris Tiffany Janson for any crown.
A universal beauty, Kris Tiffany Janson will do well in any international pageant. This Cebuana has that signature doll-look that pageant fanatics adore, she is very articulate, a real charmer and has a bikini-worthy body. I’ve heard many pageant critics say that out of all the girls in this batch only Kris Tiffany Janson is sure to win a crown.
3) Yvethe Santiago for any crown
Yvethe is another beauty who can do the nation proud in any of the international tilts. She is a mannequin and a beauty queen rolled into one fabulous body. She combines fierceness with sweetness. Zing!
Yvethe is such a rising star and is the favorite of many pageant fans. But there are some who feel she is still too young. One observer suggested that the Bicolana should place as a runner-up to give her one year of training before joining again just like Janine Tugonon did a few years back. But we’re not the judges to make that decision. Let’s see what happens on coronation night March 30!
4) Pia Wurtzbach for International or Universe
This is Pia’s second time in Bb. Pilipinas (she was the lone runner-up last year) and we all know that the former actress is gunning for the Universe title. But I think she’ll also be good for Bb Pilipinas International. Her winning assets are her striking beauty, generous curves in the right places, great communication skills and fierce catwalk.
5) Hannah Ruth Sison for International or Intercontinental
I think this Bb. Pilipinas 2nd-timer is one of the most underrated beauties in this year’s batch. Maybe it’s because she tends to fluctuate between fabulous and flat. But when she is fabulous, Hannah Ruth is a winner! All she has to do is get the styling right and bring out her bubbly, sweet self.
My Middle 5 Choices
My Middle 5 Girls – clockwise from upper left – Bianca Guidotti, MJ Lastimosa, Julian Ellore Punzalan, Aurine Flores and Joy Diaz
I believe that these five girls are the biggest threat to my Top 5 favorites. All of them are just as polished and crown-worthy so there is no relaxing for a moment. Competition is just too stiff!
6) Bianca Guidotti
There is a huge possibility that Bianca will grab the Universe title on the argument that she partly grew up in Brazil and speaks their language. Brazil will be host country for the Miss Universe this year and if we send a girl who can connect with the people there, we’ll certainly make waves. Another plus – if you watch her web interview, she’s smart, very natural and relaxed with no pretense whatsoever. I also find her body to be perfect for Miss U purposes – very tight and firm but still feminine. Keep an eye on this girl.
7) Ellore Punzalan
Just like Bea Santiago, Miss International 2013, Ellore has this amazing presence when she’s on stage. Her Filipina beauty is very alluring, her anaconda-like body moves with fluid grace and she is a sharp communicator in both English and Tagalog. The titles she might snatch from under the noses of the front-runners would be Universe, International or maybe Intercontinental.
8) MJ Lastimosa
From what I know, MJ only qualifies for the Universe title because of issues with age. Does she have a chance at that title? I think so but it’s an uphill climb with rivals like Parul, Kris Janson, Yvethe and Bianca Guidotti who will certainly make it difficult for her to ascend to the crown.
Now if there were no age problems, I do see her as a possible successor to Mutya Datul for the Bb. Supranational title. Intercontinental too would suit her. It’s MJ’s third attempt at a Bb. crown so wish her the best!
9) Julian Aurine Flores
I am in love with the pretty face and bubbly personality of Julian Aurine! She was incredibly funny in the web interview too and had that Miss U vibe about her. But can she win that or any other crown? It will be tough but if she manages to impress the judges then I think she’d be good for Supra or Intercontinental.
10) Joy Diaz
One of the smartest girls in the group, Joy Diaz gave a brilliant performance in the web interview. The US-bred Filipina was asked to sell a ‘moustache pen’ and I was ready to order a few hundred pieces one the strength of her crazy spiel. She gave the kind of answer you hope to get from a Miss Universe contestant!
My Last 5 Choices:
My Last 5 Girls – clockwise from top right – Nicole Marie Manalo, Kimverlyn Suiza, Carla Lizardo, Joy Gangan and Laura Lehmann
11) Kimverlyn Suiza
Kim’s main appeal is her elegant beauty which makes me think of classic ivory cameos. Her kind of beauty might not be the trend in pageants but the Nagcarlan native is lovely to behold and is well-spoken. I certainly wouldn’t mind it if she won a crown.
12) Nichole Marie Manalo
Do not overlook this beauty. She’s got an arsenal of weapons hiding somewhere up her sleeve or in the heel of her shoe. The blood of beauty queens runs in her veins – her sisters are Pamela Bianca and Katherine Manalo both Bb. Pilipinas titleholders. So watch out for this one…
13) Carla Lizardo
I am really happy to see Carla doing so well in Bb. Pilipinas. The TV anchor is giving it her best shot and I think she’ll score big points with judges in the Q&A not just for her smarts but for her lovely face which is even more attractive up close and sans make-up.
14) Laura Lehmann
Laura Lehman’s strongest asset apart from her pert look and firm bod are her accomplishments at such a young age. One of them is the pursuit of a triple degree in Psychology, Neuroscience and Spanish Studies.
15) Joy Gangan
Joy is my sentimental favorite. I love her story of growing up as a farmer girl in Isabela.
She is a doll from head to toe and would be a great successor to Mutya Datul for the Supranational crown however, Joy lacks the vivaciousness that made Mutya an international winner. But no matter, with more time and training I’m sure Joy’s bubbly self will come out!
