Fil-Scottish commercial model Catriona Elisa Gray as expected led the short list of early favorites for the title Miss World Philippines 2016 when the 25 official candidates from across the country were announced on Monday at the Sampaguita Gardens in Quezon City.
Gray, born in Cairns, Queensland to a Scottish father and Bicolana mother and presently completing her Master’s degree at the Berklee College of Music, is known as the face of Ponds beauty ads. The 22-year-old, 5-foot-10 aspiring singer and composer, is a woman of substance with a heart for the poor under her Paraiso Bright Beginnings Project.
CQ Global Quest directress Cory Quirino expressed pride of this year’s batch of candidates who could give the country its second Miss World title in three years. Miss World Philippines 2015 Hillarie Parungao performed well last year finishing at the Top 10 and winning the Multimedia Award.
The rest of the candidates are Maria Paula Prose (Cagayan Province), Shenna Mae Zaldivar, (Dapitan City), Rossette Joyce Tayam (Zambales), Alyana Mikaela Cagandahan (Laguna), Arienne Louise Calingo (Pampanga), Casey Austria (Albay), Sarah Margarette Joson (Manila), Sandra Lemonon (Pasig City), Jan Helen Villanueva (Bulacan), Kristine Gaile Lopez (Bulacan), Shaina Lalaine Sazon (Aurora Province), Arah Salientes (San Fernando Pampanga), Madeleine Iya Gabrella Uy (Nueva Ecija), Charlene Fontanilla (Mandaluyong City), Roshiel Asingua (Cebu City), Irina Cortez (Makati City), Ivanna Kamil Pacis (Makati City), Vinie Camille Quiangco (Roxas City), Quenie Litz Lorenzo (Bulacan), Marah Muñoz (Parañaque City), Jane Pactoranan (Antipolo City), Ralph Lauren Asuncion (Batangas City, Yuri Yu Caunca (Las Piñas City) and Ivy Meerry Enriquez (Bataan).
Who will represent the country at the 66th Miss World pageant in Washington D.C., USA? Catch the exciting Miss World Philippines 2016 grand coronation night at the Manila Hotel to be telecast over GMA Channel on Sept. 25.
Photos by Teddy Pelaez