The ‘most likely’ 2015 Bb. bets

As they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

So in their usual selection of the “most likely” bets to bag the four titles at stake — Universe, International, Supranational and Intercontinental — at the 52nd Bb. Pilipinas (2015) Pageant set for Sunday, March 15, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Funfare’s “beauty experts” Celso de Guzman Caparas and Felix Manuel (with Gery Yumping, Francis Calubaquib and Joey Cezeare) somewhat differ in their choices. Seven make it to both Felix and company’s list (of 16) and Celso’s 12.

They are (in no particular order):

• Ann Lorraine Colis (#24) of Mexico, Pampanga; 22; 5’7.5” tall; 32-26-32.5”; a UST Management/Accounting graduate;
•  Janicel Lubina (#11) of Narra, Palawan; 19; 5’7”; 34-23.5-33.5; a former kasambahay in her hometown; among other titles, 2014 Top Model of the World-Philippines first runner-up, 2013 Miss World-Philippines first runner-up (to Megan Young) and 2012 Miss Scuba International Top 5 semi-finalists;
• Alaiza Flor Malinao (#21) of Davao del Sur; 21; 5’8”; 31.5-24.5-32.5; B.S. Psychology graduate from San Pedro College in Davao City; among other titles, 2013 Miss Davao del Sur and 2014 Century Tuna Superbods first runner-up/Miss Photogenic;
•  Christi Lynn Landrito McGarry (#19) of Nabua, Camarines Sur; 24; 34.5-24.5-32; a scholar in PACE University of Manhattan major in Marketing and Advertising/minor in Visual Arts; among other titles, 2010 Mutya ng Pilipinas-Asia Pacific International who emerged one of the 15 semi-finalists (Queen of Asia & Oceania) at that year’s Miss Intercontinental in Dominican Republic;
•  Teresita Ssen Marquez (#34) of Paranaque City; 22; 5’5”; 33-24.5-31.5; a GMA Kapuso artist (a.k.a. Wynwyn Marquez); completing Master’s Degree in Educational Management at La Salle (Dasmariñas); daughter of Joey Marquez and Alma Moreno;
• Pia Wurtzbach (#10) of Cagayan de Oro City; 25; 5’6.5”; 35-26.5-33.5; Culinary Arts graduate from Asian Culinary Studies; among other titles, 2013 Bb. Pilipinas first runner-up (to Ariella Arida), Miss San Miguel Zero Fit/Sexy Body and 2014 Bb. Pilipinas semi-finalist/Miss PAL/Miss JAG; and
•  Kimverlyn Suiza (#8) of Marikina City; 26; 5’6”; 32.5-25-30.5; segment producer of Eat, Bulaga!;  among other titles, 2013 Miss Philippines Earth-Air (first runner-up to Angelee delos Reyes) and 2014 Bb. Pilipinas candidate.  

The nine others in Felix’s list:

• Hannah Ruth Sison (#28) of Oas, Albay,

• Kylie Verzosa (#12) of Baguio City,

• Toni Alyessa Jaafar Hipolito (#6) of Makati City;

• Nancy Lee Leonard (#29) of Zamboanga City,

• Rogelie Catacutan (#25) of Cebu City.

• Samantha Balbin (#1) of Quezon City,

• Mae Liezel Ramos (#13) of Camarines Sur,

• Princess Joy Camu (#14) of Albay, and

• Enrica Roxielle Guieb (#7) of Angeles City).

And the five others in Celso’s list:

• Anja-Vanessa Peter (#22) of Antipolo City,

• Brenna Cassandra Gamboa (#17) of Parañaque City,

• Marvi Ann De Lime (#16) of Iriga City,

• Maolin Yalung (#9) of Mabalacat, Pampanga, and

• Crissa Marie Mendiola (#18) of Bulacan.

“We’ve been doing this forecast for 17 years now,” noted Felix. “For sure, there will be dark horses who will upstage some of those in our list. It happens every year!”

(The 2015 Bb. Pilipinas Pageant will be aired live by ABS-CBN.)

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