Carlene early favorite in Miss World tilt

Again, the usual question: Will Carlene Ang Aguilar bring home the bacon (yes, the Miss World title, the only international beauty crown a Filipina has yet to win)?

And again, let’s keep our fingers crossed that lightning will strike twice in a row. Last September, Precious Lara Quigaman won as Miss International in Japan, bringing to four the number of Filipina Misses International (including Gemma Cruz, 1964; Aurora Pijuan, 1970; and Melanie Marquez, 1979; we have two Misses Universe, Gloria Diaz, 1969, and Margie Moran, 1973). Will Carlene be "it" on Dec. 10 when the new (2005) Miss World is chosen in Sanya, China, from among more than a hundred candidates?

According to Funfare’s "beauty experts" Felix Manuel, Gery Yumping, Joey Cezeare and Francis Calubaquib, this early Carlene is already tagged as "the one to beat," put in the top spot by bookmakers from Centrebet, Bet365, Bluesq and paddypower.com. It has been a tradition during the Miss World season for people to place money on their top bets. Misses Italy and Namibia topped the other bookmakers’ lists but Carlene is always included among the top three bets.

As usual, you can actually help make Carlene win. Read the following report by Funfare’s "beauty experts" on early Miss World activities:

Six "Vote For Me" TV specials will present contestants from each continental zone and invite the global television audience to cast votes to determine the top two from each zone to go through to the Miss World Final where the six continental winners will be chosen, Miss World Northern Europe, Miss World Southern Europe, Miss World Asia Pacific, Miss World Africa, Miss World Americas and Miss World Caribbean.

Miss World – The Final is the world’s largest live annual TV event with viewing figures of two billion. With over 100 contestants undertaking a month-long tour of China to compete for this year’s title, Miss World 2005 is set to be the most lavish spectacular in the festival’s 55-year history.

Each contestant will be allocated a number for worldwide SMS voting or via the Voting Hotline in her particular country. The numbers will be prominently displayed on television graphics and in the media. Viewers may vote for two contestants from their continent to go through to the Miss World Final, although there is no limit on the number of votes they may cast.

At the close of voting, points will be awarded according to a voting-points structure. An effective formula will ensure that votes from all countries equate, regardless of the size of population, voting medium or overall number of votes.

Viewers will have the chance to cast votes for their favorite girls from the first Miss World Asia Pacific "Vote For Me" special on Nov. 21 until 12 hours before the start of the two-hour live televised final from Sanya, on Dec. 10.

Three Fast Track events will provide the girls an extra "golden ticket" opportunity to make it to the Final 15. These contests will be open to all contestants and will recognize those girls with special qualities. The events are: Beach Beauty, Talent and Beauty with A Purpose.

In Miss World – The Final, the winners of three Fast Track events will join the 12 Continental winners – two from each zone – ensuring that the final line-up is truly representative of the world.

Then it is down to the judging panel to make their final deliberations and name the six continental winners one of whom will be crowned Miss World 2005.

How to vote:

Each contestant has been allocated a special voting number, which is displayed at the top of each contestant’s profile page. These numbers will also be prominently displayed on the special Miss World – Vote for Me shows.

You may vote by SMS (text message), by calling the voting hotline for your country, or online through this website.

Voting is open until 12 hours before the start of the two-hour live televised final from Sanya, on Dec. 10.

Vote online

To cast your vote, simply click the "vote online" button anywhere on the website. You will be asked to select the candidate you wish to vote for. You can also cast a second bonus vote (your bonus vote must be for a different contestant) for free. Each vote costs $1, while the bonus vote is free – so you can vote for two contestants for $1. Payment is by credit card, using WorldPay’s secure servers.

Vote by phone (selected territories only)

In some countries, you can also vote by phone. If your country of residence is on the list, use the numbers provided to vote by SMS (text message) or to call the voting hotline. Your phone must be able to send text messages to use SMS, but you can call the voting hotline from any phone, including land lines.

SMS voting

Simply send the candidate’s number, including the "MW" at the start for example, "MW866", in a text message to the five-digit number assigned to your country of residence. SMS costs vary by territory, so please check your local operator for exact prices.

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