Preliminary Candidate Review (1-12)

It's almost Pre-Pageant Night. On February 26, the 24 official candidates of the 2010 Binibining Pilipinas Pageant will battle it out to have the right to belong to the Top 10 Semifinalists that will be announced come Coronation night on March 6.


So before the pre-pageant competition (which will be aired February 28 on GMA 7), here are our thoughts on the 24 lovely candidates based on their performance in their other activities. It is important to note that this batch, like last year, boasts of gorgeous candidates and it is definitely hard to pick just who will win.

What we did for each candidate in this review would be to analyze their strengths and areas of opportunity. From there we are able to assess their best placement in this year's pageant. Of course, it could still change after the pre-pageant night. There will be a separate review after that.

So...without much hoopla, here they are...the captivating Filipinas that will sure to win your hearts...

1 - Mariella Castillo

Mariella is a candidate that is actually prettier in person than in pictures. Her official swimsuit photos did not do her justice at all. She had this Billie Holiday vibe with her during the Press Presentation at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza. She is like the Filipino version of a cross between Billie Holiday and Miss Universe 2006 Zuleyka Rivera. However, what comes with such strong features is a rather mediocre physique that could still use a little trimming. Give her more time to lose weight or to firm up, she could be more of a stunner than she really is. Best possible placement: Semifinalist.

2 - Rachel Anne Bustamante

Rachel has a very nice body and a to-die-for complexion. However, her height and the fact that she doesn't seem to turn heads could turn the odds against her. She is pretty, but not in the league of someone who could carry the flag of the Philippines in a major pageant like Miss Universe, World or International. But give her the proper styling and training, she has good potential. After all, she is still young. She can always join again. Best possible placement: For now, she should learn from this experience and make necessary changes should she decide to join again.

3 - Patrixia Sherly Santos

People who've seen her photos would say that she looks like a popular TV host. However, there is more to her than meets the eye.She has a lovely complexion and pair of eyes. She is like the modern version of Imee Su Martinez (of 2001). But that's as far as it will go. Her performance in the other activities seem a bit lackluster and that is why she tends to fade in the background. Add the fact that there are lots of fair-skinned candidates this year. She needs to elevate to the next level. Then again, she's 17 and that is why there is a lot of room for growth. Best possible placement: Like Candidate no. 2.

4 - Selena Antonio

Selena would have to be one of the favorites in this year's pageant. And why not? She seems to have the package--gorgeous face that is exotic enough to foreigners and yet Asian enough to her future compatriots in Asia, meaning, global in every sense; she has a very nice body that is well proportioned to her height; She has good education from a reputable school; and she seems to have good communication skills. What's her downfall if ever would be the fact that she is rather short compared to the other "favored" candidates. Still, one can't deny the fact that the camera loves her and she seems to love them back. Best possible placement: Top 5--she could be a runner-up or win any of the crowns.

5 - Nicole Kaufmann

Nicole has a very gorgeous face that reminded me of the likes of Aileen Damiles and Gilmarie Pacamara and Yedda Marie Mendoza. Her face belongs there. She could win Miss Photogenic and nobody would disagree. She has the stage chops and the body, but what is very obvious is the fact that her height could've been more than what we see. Best possible placement: Semifinalist.

6 - Patricia Lee Ejercitado

One common comment we've heard about her is that she has the best complexion in the batch. By complexion we mean that it is so gorgeous that any foreigner who would meet her would ask she got her perfect tan. Add the fact that she has one of the best bodies in the batch, thanks to her work out and being one of the finalists of the Century Tuna Super Bods last year. She also has the distinction of having unique look in every activity--she evoked a Filipina version of Stefania Fernandez during the talent night; she sported a very sensual straight hairdo on the Press Presentation, and a Cynthia Olavarria during the fashion show. In other words, she is exotically fashion forward that could meet the demands of the pageant. However, her downfall could be the fact that this year has a lot of mestizas and taller candidates that could give her a run for her money. But Patricia is, unsurprisingly, everyone's dark horse. Best possible placement: Semifinalist. If luck is with her, she could potentially be in the Top 5.

7 - Laurese Ann Caparas

This pretty stunner has a lot of potential. She has a sweet and pleasant face and a good body. What she needs to work on is to create more of an impact as she has a tendency to blend in with the crowd. Since she is just 17 (a relatively young age in the pageant field), she still has room for growth given better training and media mileage. Best possible placement: For now, she should learn from this experience and make necessary changes should she decide to join again.


8 - Anna Marie Morelos
 
Anna is no stranger to pageants. She has the experience in joining both a national and international pageant. With her stint in Mutya ng Pilipinas and later, at the Miss Tourism International pageant in Malaysia, it was not a surprise that she could deliver. Her only disadvantage is that there are lots of gorgeous girls this year and she could just blend with the rest. Best possible placement: Semifinalist. If she wows them, she could potentially be any of the Top 5.
 
9 - Laica Joy Jimenez
 
The moment this girl stepped on stage, one name keeps coming back to me--Jeanie Anderson. Laica almost has the same stance as Jeanie Anderson in 2001. Hopefully, Laica won't be another Jeanie Anderson (she became popular because of her "Quiet, please" statement in the Q&A round--long before the infamous Janina San Miguel). But she definitely has to work on her posture because in the events so far, she has a tendency too raise her shoulders so much that you hardly see her neck. With better training, she can do better. Best possible placement: For now, she should learn from this experience and make necessary changes should she decide to join again.


10 - Maria Venus Raj
 
Hands down, she has the bearing. She is regal however you put it. She also knows how to make things equal in perspective. She is regal, but she is also fierce. Let's thank the fact that she is a top model here in the country--always in demand during Philippine Fashion Week. Let's also thank her previous experience in the 2008 Miss Philippines Earth Pageant where she was Miss Eco-Tourism. We've also received feedback that she is friendly. Now, that's a wonderful combination. The only thing missing is the crown... Best possible placement: Any of the crowns, please.
 
11 - Krista Kleiner
 
Undoubtedly one of the favorites this year. But one thing anyone would notice is the fact that if she wins, she wouldn't look as if she was representing the Philippines because she looks so American. Some press people  even said that she was like a candidate in Miss USA. Would that be good enough to make her win this year? She has personality, but in most events, she had a tendency to overdo her personality that to some people, it could rub the wrong way. Still, she has a good form and a face that screams beauty queen. Best possible placement: Top 5.

12 - Reina Mae Maerina

This tall beauty could be the next Philippine top model and we just don't know it. Great physique, but it remains to be seen whether she could move on to greater heights in this year's pageant because there are lots of gorgeous girls. She needs to shine and stand out. Best possible placement: If she's lucky, she could be a semifinalist. We just have to see during the pre-pageant night.

To be continued...