Five days from now, six of the 40 hopefuls in the 55th Bb. Pilipinas pageant will wake up wearing crowns, perhaps still incredulous from finishing winners at the grand finals the night before (Sunday, March 18) at the Smart Araneta Coliseum (aired live by ABS-CBN).
The titles at stake are: Miss Universe Philippines, Bb. Pilipinas-International, Bb. Pilipinas-Intercontinental, Bb. Pilipinas-Supranational, Bb. Pilipinas-Globe and Bb. Pilipinas-Grand International.
The most that two of last year’s batch did was bring home runner-up honors: Nelda Ibe, Miss Globe first runner-up; and Elizabeth Clenci, Miss Grand International second runner-up. Will any or all of the 2018 queens do better and bring home, knock on wood, six dazzling crowns from abroad? Hope springs eternal; let’s keep our collective fingers crossed.
As usual, here are the “16 Most Likely” as “predicted” by Funfare’s “other beauty expert” Celso de Guzman Caparas:
1. #20 Catriona Gray, 24, Albay, fashion and commercial model, singer and host;
2. #19 Michele Gumabao, 25, Quezon City, professional volleyball player, coach and host;
3. #11 Aya Abesamis, 26, Pasig City, model and artist;
4. #32 Eva Patalinjug, 23, Cebu City, registered nurse and sophomore law student;
5. #21 Anjame Magbitang, 19, Hagonoy (Bulacan), Tourism Management student;
6. #31 Jehza Huelar, 23, Davao City, Finance graduate;
7. #37 Patrizia Mariah Garcia, 23, Cainta (Rizal), account manager;
8. #1 Vickie Marie Rushton, 25, Talisay (Negros Occidental), model, actress and businesswoman;
9. #26 Wynonah Buot, 24, Cebu, BA Mass Communication cum laude graduate;
10. #23 Ena Velasco, 25, Bacolod City, doctor;
11. #14 Samantha Bernardo, 25, Puerto Princesa City (Palawan), model and hotel guest service officer;
12. #22 Sophia Baino, 24, Nasugbu (Batangas), Yoga studio manager;
13. #9 Agatha Romero, 23, Quezon City, Civil Engineer;
14. #17 Ma. Ahtisa Manalo, 20, Candelaria (Quezon), Accountancy student;
15. #3 Muriel Orais, 26, Cebu City, flight attendant; and
16. #39 Trixia Marie Maraña, 25, Dumaguete City, flight attendant.
(E-mail reactions at rickylophilstar@gmail.com. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)