Ten Most Popular Miss Universe Bets
11:01 PM
"Beauty pageants will always be relevant in the community. We're humans. We will always appreciate beauty and beauty inspires."
That's what Mary Jean Lastimosa said when she was asked by Rappler about the relevance of beauty pageants. Ladies and gentlemen, I am writing you today with that opening sentence and I know that you won't mind if that would be too pageant-ish. Why would you be? We have 19 days left before the Miss Universe pageant.
Nineteen days is actually a long time when we talk about giving this massive attention to MJ's participation in the Miss Universe. I mean, it is the Golden Globes in two days and we're not reading too many articles on US-based news sites yet. But for this pageant-crazy nation, the bekis specifically, every hour counts. Coverage in every pre-pageant events is highly significant at this point.


But what are MJ's chances in clinching that third Miss U crown for the Philippines? It is as bright as the sun on a hot summer day in this side of the world. This largely social media country is dominating Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with the hash tag #MJAllTheWay that we feel the confidence to root for our own bet. But what if we'll take time to know what pageant organizations and media agencies from other parts of the world are saying.
For London-based Mail Online, it looks like India's Noyonita Lodh is a force to reckon with. She made it to, not one, not two, but three solo pictures that are spread across the site. MJ has to be contented with one half-page exposure. Of course, Lodh is among the Top 20 favorites according to The Times of India. Worry not, Miss Philippines is also part of their Top 20 together with other Asians: Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.
American online business news site Venture Capital Post also listed Miss India as one of the favorites together with Miss USA Nia Sanchez and Miss Brazil Melissa Gurgel. They didn't exactly miss MJ. They referred to her as the social media favorite.
Next to the Filipinos, the Indonesians and the Thais, which group of nations are pageant frenzy? The Latinos. MejoresListasYRankings.com made their own ranking and the first six bets are all from South America with Miss Peru topping the list. MJ is the highest-ranking non-Latina candidate at number 7. Media giant Telemundo, however, kept their top 15 random. But it was Miss Philippines's photo that is posted first on their website. The list is dominated by 8 latinas.
I guess MJ Lastimosa and her fans have done a great job in impressing the world after all. She is included in almost all rankings and predictions. With what I learned, I am creating my own list of top 10 Miss Universe favorites. These are not exclusively my own choices. This list is a product of several predictions that I've seen coming from almost all corners of the world.
Here are the favorites in alphabetical order with their official Miss Universe photos.
Australia
Tegan Martin, 22

Colombia
Paulina Vega, 21

India
Noyonitha Lodh, 21

Jamaica
Kaci Fennell, 22

Mexico
Josselyn Garciglia, 24


Philippines
Mary Jean Lastimosa, 27

Russia
Yulia Alipova, 24
Yulia Alipova, 24

Serbia
Andjelka Tomasevic, 21

USA
Nia Sanchez, 24


Venezuela
Migbellis Lynette Castillanos, 19

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