2013 Bb. Pilipinas Pageant: My Top 20 Bets

After some hemming and hewing, I have made my final predictions as to who just might make the first cut for tomorrow's Grand Coronation Night of Bb. Pilipinas 2013: The Golden Edition

My choices are actually based on the Bb. Pilipinas Primer, fashion show videos, Press Presentation, candids & glam shots, media buzz, press releases, educational background (it matters to Madame Stella Marquez Araneta) and of course, my gut feel

So here are my Top Twenty from the 50 Official Candidates:

#1 Ria Rabajante

Ria Rabajante exudes the elan of Miriam Quiambao and the exoticism of Tetchie Agbayani

# 13 Charmaine Elima

This Cum Laude graduate is the One to beat. Charmaine is the frontrunner for many pageant experts. The cheek bones and the very Filipina dusky complexion are to die for

# 15 Pia Wurztbach

Pia Wurztbach is Pia Romero, a starlet of ABS CBN. She is finally getting the attention that has eluded her when she was launched together with Bea Alonzo

# 16 Cindy Miranda

Cindy Miranda, the gorgeous UST Cum Laude graduate finished as 1st RU to Janine Tugonon during the 2010 Thomasian Personality Search. She had to give up her TV5 hosting job to fulfill her beauty queen dreams

# 19 Hannah Sison

Hannah is a preacher's daughter. This La Salle teacher who mentors on Visual Arts & Graphics, take note: not a student but a teacher also has her own digital imaging company. Loquacious, confident & smart, that's Hannah

# 20 Bea Santiago

Bea Rose is North America- educated thus the sophisticated airs and seeming affected manners.

She has represented the Philippines in an international pageant where she made the Top Ten.

Will she translate her popularity into a crown this year? It's anybody's guess

# 25 Merry Joyce Respicio

This 5' 10" stunner is born for the runway. Statuesque frame and smoldering presence onstage are her best assts

# 24 Cassandra Naidas

This 5' 10" half Filipina & half Korean would be a big hit if she bags the Bb- International crown.

Hers is the face that the Chinese & Japanese judges would kill for

# 26 Anna Fernandina Buquid

Anna Fernandina, who at 5' 11 3/4" tall is the tallest girl this year.

She with the unconventional South Pacific beauty literally and figuratively towers over the rest the moment she glides onstage

# 27 Valiry Vania Vispo

Valiry Vania Vispo. Triple V. Would victory be the fourth V in her name?

Her 5' 10" frame is difficult to ignore plus the likeness to Precious Lara Quigaman's looks would work to her advantage

# 28 Mercegrace Raquel

This BS Math major from UP who eats mathematical problems and solutions for breakfast is the exact type that Miss Universe expects from the Philippines.

Her 5' 10" frame just upped her ante

# 31 Maria Angelica de Leon

This angel is the eldest of two girls born to Philippine showbiz royalty.

Her parents happen to be Christopher "Boyet" de Leon and Sandy Andolong.

Her participation has already polarized pageants fans but one thing's for sure.

Her presence alone has helped increase ticket sales for th Araneta Coliseum Pageant Night

# 33 Shah Parul

This exotic charmer who goes by the unique name of Parul Shah truly lives up to her name.

She lights up an entire room with her megawatt smile. She is half Indian

# 34 Shan Apuad

Shan Apuad who exudes the conventionally pretty and commercially appealing faces of beauty queens is from Agusan in Mindanao. She is sweet yet fierce.

The exact type who can bring home our next international beauty title 

# 41 Ariela Ara Arida

This licensed Chemist from UP bewitches and beguiles with her sultry looks and snobbish appeal.

Her enigmatic presence beckons

# 39 Mutya Johanna Datul

My ultimate favorite. She is the certified Cinderella of the batch.

She doesn't need her sob story to win one of the titles for she is the Face of the Competition.

She just needs to be herself and answer the final Question in the language that she is most comfortable with

# 45 Imelda Schweighart

This 17 year old charmer from Puerto Princesa, Palawan is one of the most engaging and candid girls of the batch.

Gorgeous mestiza looks and effervescence just might give her one of the crowns

# 47 Aiyana Mikiewicz

This stunner from North Luzon simply looks breathtaking on the TV screen and she is one of those who can confidently express herself in English.

Definitely, one of the girls to watch out for

# 50 Karisma Pascual

It was a wise move for Bb Pilipinas Org to put a gorgeous girl as a tailender for this year's batch.

No one would disagree when the emcee would mouth off the cliche "and last BUT not the least is Bb # 50..."

# 48 Angeli Dione Gomez

Angelie Dione Gomez is one of three Cebuana beauties who all stole the thunder from the frontrunners when she expressed her thoughts in perfect English plus that pert look and confident stance.

Angelie just might spring a surprise on the favorites

So there. My Top Twenty.

 Coming up: My Top Ten & Final Five