THE thrill of winning a beauty title—and the privilege of raising the flag of the Philippines internationally—is at full throttle. Miss World Philippines, after a marked absence from the scene last year, will stage its finals night on July 25, Sunday, at the Okada Manila in Parañaque. It will be aired on GMA Network.

For the 10th solo edition, the winners will represent the Philippines in Miss World, Miss Supranational, Miss Eco International, Reina Hispano Americana, Miss Tourism, Miss Eco Teen International, Miss Multinational and Miss Environment International.

In a beautiful field of 45, these are the awesome women with the winnability factor:

  • Ganiel Krishnan, 26 (Kawit, Cavite): "Prior to landing my job as a lifestyle and showbiz reporter, I was actually assigned to do police beats and crime reports. I experienced covering drug buy-bust operations with nothing less than a bullet-proof vest. Definitely not for the faint-hearted."
  • Kathleen Paton, 24 (Aklan): "I'm so grateful to be given this platform to voice out mental health awareness. Battling a mental health issue in itself is already so hard and having to fight the stigma is even harder. I want to be that voice and fighter to bring about more change. This is for all my fellow mental health illness battlers. In this uncertainty, I hope you find the strength and resilience to keep on trying."
  • Tracy Perez, 28 (Cebu): "[The greatest realization during the pandemic] is that we have to have a safety net all the time. We have to be financially stable, because we'd be more comfortable no matter what pandemic hits us in the future."
  • Ann Palmares, 22 (Iloilo City): "I am currently juggling my time between schoolwork as a BS  management accounting student and community service for my project Beauty Behind Bars, where we provide livelihood for women deprived of liberty in the Iloilo City Jail."
  • Danica Dilla, 26 (Iriga City, Bicol). "At a very young age, I experienced people teasing me for having 'big round eyes.' It made me lose my self-esteem and it took me a while to fully embrace it. If there's one valuable lesson I learned from that experience, it is to 'never allow anyone to make you feel less.' So, if you'll ask me today what my favorite facial feature is? I will confidently answer, 'My eyes.'"
  • Dindi Pajares, 28 (Orani,Bataan): "I'm currently an international flight attendant and part of the Philippine Air Force Reserve Command, so you can also call me Sergeant Dindi. And, yes, I can wear high heels and military boots. Fun fact about me is I'm an old soul. I love watching classic Filipino movies. My favorites are Bituing Walang Ningning by Sharon Cuneta, Abakada Ina by Lorna Tolentino and Himala by Nora Aunor."
  • ASha Gutierrez, 26 (Taguig City): "Being a national basketball athlete, I learn the value of hard work, discipline and team work. I'm also an international Latin dancer, a yoga teacher and a vegan as I promote health and fitness."
  • Dannah Tempra, 19 (Misamis Oriental): "[A tip to combat boredom during the pandemic] is to always look in a positive direction because we can always overcome any challenges in life with a positive attitude."
  • Anne de Mesa, 22 (Batangas City): "This pandemic [has been] really a roller coaster ride for everyone. Even I, at some point, felt like this pandemic was taking a toll on our dreams. But I am also thankful to have the time to discover new things which helped me keep afloat. Doing my own makeup was one of those discoveries. It was not only therapeutic but it helped me gain more confidence in myself."
  • Janelle Lewis, 19 (Angeles City, Pampanga): "The pandemic was rough but I didn't stop looking for ways to keep my mind off of everything. Then I learned how to do my makeup and everything completely changed, it made me feel victorious. People don't understand how much doing my makeup helps me release stress. It's my way of escaping into my own little world."
  • Rachel Valera, 28 (Bukidnon): "In my graduate program, Masters of Arts in English Language, I wrote a thesis, titled 'The Case of Winning Filipina Beauty Queens: Rhetorical Appeal in the Language of Empowered Women.' I am a strong advocate of cultural preservation, awareness and sensitivity not only in my province but the entire country, as well."
  • Emmanuelle Vera, 26 (Taguig City): "For everybody asking why I joined a pageant when both pageantry and competing are so out of character for me (I am literally the chillest, most cowboy person; I don't ever wear makeup except for work, and my choice of footwear is typically flip-flops), well, here's your answer. I wanted to do something more meaningful than just performing for entertainment's sake. I wanted to be a part of the solution to the societal problems and injustices I weep over. I wanted to finally share with you guys the causes that have been dear to me since I was a young girl. And finally, I want to continue to entertain but purposefully."

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