Miss Earth is now ranked No. 3 among international beauty pageants – Miss Universe is No. 1, Miss World is No. 2 and Miss International is No. 4 – in number of candidates, at present with 82 competing for one of the two titles (the other being Miss World) not won yet by a Filipina.
Here’s a report by Funfare’s "beauty experts" Felix Manuel, Joey Cezeare, Gery Yumping and Francis Calubaquib:
The Fontana Leisure Parks, located in a 300-hectare property within the Clark Special Economic Zone at Clark Field, Pampanga, served as the perfect venue for the Swimsuit Competition Finals of the 2006 Miss Earth Beauty Pageant.
The Best in Swimsuit Award which will be announced tomorrow at the finals of the pageant. Fifteen girls were chosen from the field of 85 delegates as preliminary swimsuit winners in three pre-pageant event held in Los Baños, Laguna; Coron, Palawan; and Calatagan, Batangas.
"This is the best place I’ve ever been in my whole life!" enthused Miss Venezuela, Marianne Puglia. Miss Puerto Rico, Camille Collazo, confessed that it was like being in Disneyland with an exotic touch. Hometown bet Catherine Untalan is definitely proud that her fellow delegates enjoyed their stay here in the country.
This year’s batch is the best by far. Even reigning Miss Earth Alexandra Braun Waldeck of Venezuela is having a hard time picking her favorites.
And here are our 20 "most likely" choices to bag the award:
• Venezuela. Marianne Pasqualina Puglia Martinez (21, 5’9", 35-24-35, 121 lbs.), a top model in her country, has already won two minor international beauty titles. Her goal is a back-to-back victory for her country which will surely be welcomed after her compatriot was named Miss International a week ago.
• Poland, Francyz Barraza Sudnicka (26, 5’7", 34-24-35, 119 lbs.) is half-Polish, half-Venezuelan, who has also won two minor international titles for Venezuela. She decided to live and work in Poland when she was asked to compete for the Miss Poland title, that qualified her to compete for this year’s Miss Universe pageant.
• Slovak Republic, Judita Hrubyova (21, 5’8", 35-24-36, 121 lbs.), a top model in her native land, has the prettiest face among this year’s delegates. She was a candidate in this year’s Miss Universe pageant.
• Canada, Riza Raquel Santos (20, 5’8", 35-25-35, 116 lbs.) is a Filipina born in Canada. A reporter, she is considered the top favorite among the local press. She has won two side awards during the course of the pageant including Miss Earth-Fontana.
• USA, Amanda Pennekamp (25, 5’8", 35-26-35, 120 lbs.), a model and professional actress, is based in New York.
• Philippines, Catherine Yu Untalan (21, 6’, 34-25-35, 130 lbs.) graduated cum laude with a BA Psychology degree from the University of the Philippines. She is among the tallest in the batch and the most noticeable. She aims to win the pageant to promote environmental awareness among all nations.
• Bolivia, Jessica Anne Jordan (22, 5’9", 34-24-34, 118 lbs.), a top model in her country, exudes elegance and has an admirable sense of humor.
• Australia, Natalie Maria Newton (20, 5’6", 32-24-32, 114 lbs.) has the sweetest face among the delegates.
• India, Amruta Patki (20, 5’11", 34-24-36, 125 lbs.) comes from another superpower in the pageant industry. She is well trained and has the gift of gab. The statuesque beauty exudes class.
• Curacao, Kristal Sprock (21, 5’7", 35-24-35) has the best curves and stunning blonde locks. She reminds everyone of a former Miss Universe winner who went into politics.
• Brazil, Ana Quinot (24, 5’7", 36-26-36, 129 lbs.), is gymnastic teacher whose presence is instantly felt whenever she enters the room. She is very soft-spoken and elegant.
• Chile, Hil Yesenia Hernandez Escobar (22, 5’11", 35-25-35, 124 lbs.), a dusky and statuesque university student, has the most beautiful eyes among the candidates.
• Thailand, Pathar Rungratanasunthorn (23, 5’8", 36-25-36, 119 lbs.) has a classic oriental beauty. She studied in the US and now works as a designer.
• Martinique, Megane Cindy Martinon (20, 5’7", 33-24-34, 117 lbs.) has an exotic appeal and innate elegance that make her stand out.
• France, Anne Charlotte Triplet (19, 6’, 37-27-37, 136 lbs.), a university student, has the most angelic face and is most sought-after during pictorials.
• Czech Republic, Petra Soukupova (20, 5’6", 34-24-35, 115 lbs.) has an Eastern European look that makes her very noticeable among onlookers.
• Panama, Stefanie De Roux (24, 5’8", 34-24-36, 130 lbs.), works as an administrator and was a semi-finalist in the 2003 Miss Universe pageant.
• Finland, Linnea Aaltonen (18, 5’5", 35-24-34, 107 lbs.) has the classic features and sweet smile that make her an easy choice among pageant aficionados.
• Ethiopia, Dina Fekadu (22, 5’8", 34-26-36, 117 lbs.), a university student and model, was a semi-finalist in this year’s Miss Universe pageant.
• Saint Lucia, Cathy Johnny (19, 5’11", 34-25-37), a Tourism management graduate, plans to promote her country as a tourist destination.
(E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.ph)