‘Likely’ bets in 2 beauty tilts

Two national beauty contests are holding grand finals one after the other. Set for tonight at the AFP Theater (Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City) is the 2013 Miss Tourism World Philippines and on Sunday night, May 19, the 2013 Miss Philippines Earth at the Mall Of Asia (MOA) Arena (telecast live by ABS-CBN starting at 10:30).

Forty-eight candidates are competing for the Miss Philippines Earth crown currently worn by Stephany Stefanowitz (also Miss Earth Air 2012). The winner will be the country’s representative to the prestigious Miss Earth 2013 pageant later this year.

Here are Funfare’s “beauty experts” Felix Manuel, Joey Cezeare, Gery Yumping and Francis Calubaquib’s 12 “most likely” choices (in alphabetical order)

• Miss Bogo City Mira Mae Dimmerling, 20, Tourism Management student;

• Miss Cabugao (Ilocos Sur) Janine Alipo-on, 20;

• Miss Ipil (Zamboanga Sibugay) Athina Karla Chia, 24, clinical nurse instructor;

• Miss Iriga City Katherine Dominique Lagrimas, 23, TV host;

• Miss Legazpi City Casey Ann Austria, 21;

• Miss Misamis Occidental Kristel Suizo, 21, Nursing graduate;

• Miss Nagcarlan, Laguna Kimverlyn Suiza, 24, segment producer;

• Miss Olongapo City Angelee de los Reyes, 25, marketing head;

• Miss Sta. Maria, Bulacan Bernadette Aguirre, 20, registered nurse;

• Miss Taguig City Charmaine Hernandez, 18, college student

• Miss Tanauan City Kristel Guelos, 20, Dentistry student; and

• Miss Zamboanga City Nancy Leonard, 22.

Said Felix, “In keeping with the tradition of adopting a global environmental movement, this year’s pageant theme celebrates the UN Declaration of 2013 as the International Year of Water Cooperation. Miss Philippines Earth 2013 and her court will go around the country, to spread the message on the importance of environmental protection.”

Meanwhile, 32 hopefuls are competing at the second edition of Miss Tourism World Philippines Pageant.

According to the “beauty experts,” the five standouts are:

• Miss Caloocan City Clarize Angelica Barrameda, 21, a Communication graduate of New Era University;

• Miss Narvacan (Ilocos Sur) Ma. Isabelle Zaragoza Mendoza, 18, a Human Resource Development student of San Beda College;

• Miss Taguig City Ramona Yamat, 18, an Engineering student of Mapua University;

• Miss Pagadian City Cristlet Gerona, 22, a model; and

• Miss La Union Aiyana Camille Mikiewickz, 23.

The winner will represent the country at the 2013 Miss Tourism World Pageant to be held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea in West Central Africa, considered as “The Undiscovered Treasure of Africa.”

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. You may also send your questions to [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)