Front-runners in the 2009 Miss Philippines-Earth tilt

Tomorrow night, May 10, at the Arena Entertainment and Recreational Center of the People in San Juan City (to be aired on ABS-CBN and The Filipino Channel), 10 of the 50 hopefuls will be chosen as finalists from which five will be named Miss Philippines Eco-Tourism (also Miss PAGCOR), Miss Philippines Fire (also Miss Science & Technology), Miss Philippines Water, Miss Philippines Air and Miss Philippines-Earth (who will represent the country in the Miss Earth pageant later this year) in the annual search’s ninth edition.

Stay tuned and, as usual, play the spot-a-celebrity-lookalike game, among them Cindy Kurleto, Lalaine Edson, Isabel Granada, Sandara Park, Pia Guanio, Nancy Castigleoni and 2003 Miss Universe Amelia Vega.

Funfare’s “beauty experts” Francis Calubaquib, Gery Yumping, Joey Cezeare and Felix Manuel have chosen the following among the “front-runners,” one of whom will succeed 2008 Miss Philippines Earth Karla Paula Henry (also 2008 Miss Earth). Here they are (in alphabetical order):

•Miss Apalit Vanessa B. Johnson, 22, 5’5”, 34-26-34, a freelance model and semi-finalist in the 2009 Bb. Pilipinas Pageant;

•Miss Bataan Monique Teruelle P. Manuel, 20, 5’5”, 33-24-33, a Psychology student;

•Miss Calamba City Kathrina Camille M. Suarez, 19, 5’6”, 34-26-33, a B.S. Tourism student;

•Miss Cainta Jane Annalyn F. Sy, 20, 5’6”, 33-26-33, a B.S. Pharmacy student at UST where she reigns as Miss Pharmacy;

•Miss Philippines–Canada Tessa B. Kruger, 21, 5’7”, 35-26-35, a Life Sciences student;

•Miss Ilocos Sur Paula Camille M. Figueras, 22, 5’10”, 33-25-33, a Tourism Management graduate, one of the reigning Saniata Ti’ Ilocos Sur Queens and semi-finalist in the 2008 Turismo Pilipina pageant;

•Miss Malolos City Kenneth Shane A. Dimaapi, 19, 5’10”, 36-27-36, a B.S. Tourism student;

•Miss Manila Elaine Paola O. Esteban, 20, 5’4”, 33-26-33, a Dentistry student and Miss Chinatown title-holder;

•Miss Negros Occidental Sandra I. Seifert, 25, 5’9”, 33-24-33, a registered nurse;

•Miss Palawan Christine Barby D. Loredo, 20, 5’7”, 33-23-33, an HRM student and winner of the Best Cultural Attire in the 2008 Turismo Pilipina Pageant;

•Miss Pasay Karryl An Lopez, 21, 5’5”, 32-24-32, a B.S. Bio-Chemistry graduate;

•Miss Quezon City Patricia Marie G. Tumulak, 21, 5’7”, 33-26-33, a Child Development and Education graduate;

•Miss Romblon Reina A. Cuneta, 22, 5’7”, 33-24-33, a B.S. Nursing graduate;

•Miss Tarlac Evangeline Mae A. Castillo, 25, 5’8”, 33-26-33, a college graduate and Miss Friendship in the 2008 Bb. Pilipinas Pageant;

•Miss Victorias City Grezilda S. Adelantar, 21, 5’8”, 34-26-34, a B.S. Tourism graduate and 2008 Turismo Pilipina-Visayas; and

•Miss Philippines–USA West Coast Charmaine Therese R. Chiong, 24, 5’5”, 33-24-33, a Computer Science graduate.

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