Sunday, January 25, 2015

Philippines vs. Colombia showdown looms in Miss Universe


It sounded like Stella Marquez Araneta displayed her bias for her native country when she picked Miss Colombia Paulina Vega as the “biggest competition” of Miss Philippines Mary Jean Lastimosa in the coming 63rd Miss Universe beauty pageant.

But the observation of the controversial Binibining Pilipinas founding madam is spot-on. As pageant experts post their final predictions with only hours to go before the coronation night, Paulina, 22 and MJ, 27, could be on a collision course with destiny as both seek Miss Universe’s crowning glory to put an end to their respective countries’ title drought.

MJ hopes to become the Philippines’ third Miss Universe since Margie Moran last won the title in 1973, while Paulina is seeking to become her country’s only second Miss Universe after Luz Marina Zuluaga first won it for Colombia in 1958.

They hold the number 1 and 2 spots in Missosology’s Final Hot Picks for Miss Universe.

In choosing Paulina as their top pick, the reputable pageant analysis says Miss Colombia is “that ethereal beauty that screams royalty and class.”

“What makes Paulina stand out is her ability to project herself as an elegant woman onstage. Her beauty is also top notch and her body has the correct proportions. In overall, she is a perfect package. Her presence is undeniable and she has a very strong showing at the preliminaries.”

Missosology concedes that MJ is “in it to win it” and praised both her “divine body figure” and “top-notch catwalk”.

“She is by far the most superior among the 88 contestants when it comes to the runway and she will nail way higher scores when finals night comes,” the site added.

In the Final Prediction of Miss Universe fan site MissUniversePageant Hotspot, Paulina figured in the Top 10, but it was MJ who made the Top 5.

“Paulina seemed to stay in the limelight as a frontrunner and if we look back at the past winners, most of them weren’t frontrunners. So that can be a let-down too for her. Now, to pop the question up—it’s a YES for the placement, and NO for the crown,” the site said about Miss Colombia.

“If they didn’t crown the other four Filipinas due to lack of one or two aspects, then we guess it’s the right time for a Filipina to win…If she doesn’t place, we’ll surely cut someone’s throat. DEFINITELY YES for the placement, and she could PROBABLY snatch the crown,” the site posted about MJ.

Both girls also figured prominently in other fearless forecasts. In Ranker.com, which ranked MJ as No. 1, Paulina is No. 6.

Miss Colombia is likewise included in the unranked Top 10 of the pro-Latina Latin Times which is no surprise but MJ is also right there.

The Jamaica-based Daily Veritas also had the two ladies in their Top 16 predictions with Paulina ranked No. 2 and MJ ranked as No. 8.

Even the UK-based betting odds aggregate Nicer Odds had the two in their radar with Paulina having the second highest betting odds of 4/1 while MJ has the sixth highest likelihood of winning the pageant with a 9/1 odds.

Of course, the actual outcome of Miss Universe will still be up to the pageant’s panel of judges to determine. And as formidable as both Paulina and MJ look right now, there are other top contenders for the coveted crown, including Miss USA Nia Sanchez, Miss Brazil Melissa Gurgel, Miss Spain Desiree Cordero Ferrer and Miss Venezuela Migbelis Castellano.

Incidentally, Paulina and MJ also share one designer in common: Alfredo Barraza who, like Marquez Araneta, is of Colombian nationality. Barraza has been repeatedly slammed for his designs for Miss Philippines for years.

source: interaksyon.com