Miss Universe Philippines, the most anticipated national beauty tilt in the pageant world, is definitely going to happen amid the ongoing crisis we are experiencing at the moment.
All eyes are now on the resumption of the much-delayed search for the country’s representative to the most prestigious international beauty pageant with 51 candidates battling for the lone, much-coveted crown.
The confidently beautiful young woman who will succeed Gazini Ganados should come from this list of top contenders:
Ysabella Ysmael
We wouldn’t mind seeing Miss Universe 1973 Margie Moran’s niece representing the country at the 69th edition of Miss Universe. This eloquent, 23-year-old Psychology graduate at De La Salle University is one of the girls to watch out for. The 5-foot-7 beauty is a ballerina and won second place in Century Tuna Superbods competition in 2018.
Michele Theresa Gumabao
This 28-year-old, 5-foot-10 Marketing Management graduate at De La Salle University and former co-captain of the UAAP champion varsity volleyball team is not new in pageants. The California-born daughter of actor Dennis Roldan represented the Philippines in Miss Globe 2018 and finished in Top 15. She’s currently a contract player of a volleyball commercial team and aspires to become a television host someday.
Skelly Ivy Florida
Everybody wants a beauty that stands out and Skelly can easily fit the description. This 20-year-old, 5-foot-6 student in Tourism Management at Biliran Province State University is landing on every pageant critic’s list. A dusky version of Gloria Diaz, this native of Biliran province, Eastern Visayas, is into modeling and playing volleyball.
Pauline Amelinckx
This 23-year-old International Studies graduate and model is a Fil-Belgian beauty. A quite experienced in the pageant world, she has a few titles under her belt including Global Beauty Queen Philippines (Mutya ng Pilipinas) 2018 and Miss Bohol 2017.
Alaiza Flor Malinao
This lady is always camera-ready, not to mention that cameras also love her. Alaiza is 26-year-old and stands 5-foot-8. She was a college basketball scholar and Psychology graduate at San Pedro College. A farmer’s daughter from Davao del Sur, the international model was Century Tuna Superbods 2014 first runner-up, named in Cosmo Philippines 2015 Top 8 Sexiest Models and was Top 15 in Bb. Pilipinas 2015. She was also a candidate for Asia’s Next Top Model 2016.
Rabiya Mateo
Her name means “queen” and should she win, we are seeing her shine while owning the pageant stage. This 24-year-old, 5-foot-6 licensed physical therapist graduated cum laude at Iloilo Doctors College. A native of Balasan, Iloilo, Mateo, the reigning Miss Iloilo (Dinagyang) 2020, currently works as coordinator and lecturer at SRG Manila Review Center.
Sandra Lemonon
She’s back and never been this strong. This 25-year-old Fine Arts graduate from Escola Portuguesa de Macao is a part-time model and works as a baker. Sandra was 4th runner up in Miss World Philippines 2016 and did a Top 15 finish in the 2018 edition of Binibining Pilipinas.
Apriel Smith
This mesmerizing black beauty could pull off a big surprise like what she did in minor competitions she participated in. This 24-year-old, 5-foot-9 Fil-American beauty from Cebu, is a Tourism Management graduate of University of San Carlos. She was crowned Miss Dumanjug 2011, Miss Cebu City Olympics 2012, Sinulog Festival Queen 2012, and Miss Badian 2015. She also placed third runner up in the Miss Mandaue 2013 and first runner up in the Reyna ng Aliwan 2017.
Paula Ortega
Her exposure to different cultures might be her big advantage. Born and raised by Filipino parents in Spain, Paula first joined a modeling contest in Spain at age 15 and competed at Global Model of the Year 2017 in Portugal. She was first runner up in Miss Bicolandia 2017. This 24-year-old, 5-foot-9 beauty was a Medical Laboratory Technician and Nursing graduate at University of Barcelona.
Tracy Maureen Perez
A strong competitor for the crown this 27-year-old, 5-foot-5 Industrial Engineering graduate of University of San Carlos is ready to slay on the pageant stage. A Cebuana model, Perez was a Top 12 finalist of Miss World Philippines 2019.
The Miss Universe Philippines 2020 coronation is happening at the Baguio Country Club, Baguio City on Oct. 25, telecast on GMA 7 at 9:00 a.m.. Also to be available, with no commercial breaks, by subscribing to the Ring Light series on www.empire.ph.