This is the observation of Funfare’s "beauty experts" Felix Manuel, Joey Cezeare, Gery Yumping and Francis Calubaquib, who note that there are 78 contestants from the same number of countries now competing for the Miss Earth 2005 title (currently held by Miss Brazil Priscilla Mereilles), with grand finals slated tomorrow at the UP Theater (to be aired live by ABS-CBN which is a partner in the search with Carousel Productions).
"Last year," says Felix, "there were only 61 contestants."
As usual, the "beauty experts" have been present in several Miss Earth activities, allowing them a front-seat view of the girls.
"During the press presentation at Grand Hyatt Hotel on Oct. 5," adds Felix, "our group observed that several contestants are deadringers of showbiz celebrities like Tori Spelling, Mariah Carey, Daisy Fuentes, Raquel Welch, Sophia Loren, Charlene Gonzalez, Jaclyn Jose, Snooky Serna (a.k.a. Kate), Roxanne Guinoo, Shaina Magdayao, Nancy Castiglione, Lilet (a.k.a. Marielle), Camille Prats, Heart Evangelista, Assunta de Rossi, Alice Dixson and Tintin Bersola. A few look like former Misses Universe Alicia Machado and Barbara Palacios (both of Venezuela) and Dayanara Torres (Puerto Rico)."
Based on their observation during the swimsuit, evening gown and national-costume parades, the "beauty experts" have picked the 16 "most likely" to win the crown, namely:
• Miss Venezuela – Alexandra Braun Waldeck, 22, 5’8", 114 lbs., 34-24-35. A top model in her country, she was recently proclaimed first runner-up in the 2005 Miss Venezuela pageant. Her training in the toughest pageant in the world is very evident, she is every inch a beauty queen! Her very amiable personality endears her to everyone.
• Miss Korea – Yu Hae Mee, 23, 5’8", 114 lbs., 34-24-34. Asia’s strongest bet this year. She is an actress in her native land.
• Miss Poland –Katarzyna Borowics, 20, 5’7" 119 lbs., 34-26-36. She was last year’s third runner-up in the Miss World pageant.
• Miss Dominican Republic – Amell Santana de Jesus, 19, 6’1", 125 lbs., 35-25-35. This morena beauty is a model
• Miss Russia – Tatiana Yamova, 18, 5’8", 116 lbs., 35-24-35, model. Another popular bet among Filipino pageant enthusiasts
• Miss Philippines – Gennebelle Raagas, 18, 5’10", 128 lbs., 34-25-34. An aspiring singer, the hometown bet has her eyes set in the world of show business after her beauty pageant stint.
• Miss Ukraine – Yevgeniya Rudenko, 20, 5’7", 110 lbs., 34-24-35. A project manager in her country, she has the most vibrant personality among the girls which endeared her to the photographers covering the event.
• Miss Brazil –Isabella Chaves, 22, 5’7", 125 lbs., 35-24-36, model
• Miss USA –Amanda Kimmel, 20, 5’11" 135 lbs., 36-24-36, model
• Miss Ecuador – Cristina Reyes, 24, 6’0", 128 lbs., 36-25-36, TV host
• Miss Colombia –Lia Patricia Correal Lopera, 23, 5’7", 121 lbs., 34-24-37, student
• Miss Tanzania – Rehama Sudi, 21, 5’7", 125 lbs., 33-26-37, student
• Miss India – Niharika Singh, 23, 5’6", 32-25-35, model
• Miss Chile – Nataly Chilet Bustamante, 20, 5’6", 118 lbs., 36-25-36, student
• Miss Paraguay – Tania Domaniczky Vargas, 21, 5’7", 125 lbs., 35-24-35. A TV producer, she was a runner-up in last year’s Miss Maja Mundial pageant.
• Miss Germany – Rebecca Kunikowski, 21, 5’8", 123 lbs., 35-25-36, model