
Ang galing maglakad.
Ang ganda ng mukha.
Sexy ah!
Kamukha ni Angel Locsin.
Those were just some of the comments I heard around me as each of the 35 candidates of Miss World Philippines 2017 walked the ramp and introduced themselves.
They all looked amazing, the photos flashed on the screen didn’t do justice to how they appeared up close. The judges have a tough job ahead of them.
It was difficult enough to narrow down the hopefuls to 35. “From a hundred plus, we trimmed down to 60, then to 35,” revealed Miss World Philippines National Director Arnold Vegafria.
We were informed that the turnout during the screening is unprecedented. Arnold attributes the spike to the addition of three more crowns: Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas 2017, Miss Multinational 2017, and Miss Eco Philippines 2017.

Miss World Philippines General Manager Bessie Besana, Miss World Philippines National Director Arnold Vegafria, and Iface Inc (BYS Cosmetics Philippines) President / CEO Tony Chua
“I think it’s because of the new organization. We have presented ourselves in a different light. We really focused on being millennial. If you go to our Facebook page, you will see the approach that we did, video information. ‘Yun na kasi ang hinahanap ng kabataan ngayon. You have to remember that our contestants are from 17 to 26 years old so kailangan talaga natin mag-appeal sa age range nila,” added Miss World Philippines General Manager Bessie Besana. “Tatlo yung 17-year-old contestants namin and the three of them are very outspoken, I’m surprised because andami nilang nasasabi sa buhay so I’m very very proud of them”.
One of the three 17-year-olds is Netania Deveza. This grade 12 student enrolled under the Accountancy, Business and Management strand looks forward to gaining experience in learning about pageants because she intends to join more later on.
“We initially just wanted to have 30 candidates but we decided to put it at 35 ’cause hindi talaga kaya. Sobrang daming maganda and interesting na sumali this year. Sabi namin unfair doon sa limang matatanggal so kailangan ipasok natin sila,” disclosed Bessie.
The last slot during the screening went to 26-year-old Cristina Marie Carpina Coloma. “I wanted to cry when they called my name,” recalled the Entertainment and Marketing Manager at City of Dreams Manila. After winning Miss Northern Samar 2011, Cristina turned her back on pageants. “I wasn’t really keen on continuing but through the years I always think about it. What if I did pursue joining pageants? I was holding back and holding back until this year, ‘cause I’m 26 already, this is my final year. So okay, fine, I’ll give it a shot,” she explained. Besides, her mother pleaded her to, “please join, this is the last thing that I’m going to ask from you”, she quoted her mom. “I plan to do my best and make the most out of it. A crown would be really really nice but I’m really here for the experience,” she emphasized. “It’s something I can tell my children and my grandchildren”.
Aside from a pretty face and sexy body, what is really needed to bag the Miss World Philippines title? “In my opinion, pageants should be about what makes a girl who she is and not just the façade. It’s also about her personality, her work ethic, and also her heart for giving to others, because Miss World’s personality and identity really lie in charity,” said reigning Miss World Philippines, Catriona Gray. Beaming, she talked about her advocacy, Paraiso: The Bright Beginnings Project which provides school sponsorships and free education for the children of Smokey Mountain in Tondo. “We raised funds and we bought and renovated a 3-story building which opened this school year. It’s a very proud moment for me”.
It was this social responsibility side of Miss World which prompted BYS Cosmetics to be part of it. “It was a very easy decision for us. When I found out that apart from just being a beauty pageant, they have a purpose, that struck a chord right away because we’re very much into empowering women,” related Tony Chua President / CEO of Iface Inc. BYS which stands for be yourself is an Australian brand that has been around for 15 years. It was introduced to the Philippine market five years ago to fill the void of good quality make up that’s affordable. Their products are exclusively available in almost 300 branches of Watsons, some of which will be visited by the Miss World candidates in the next few weeks.
Aside from dropping by BYS Cosmetics’ counters, the Miss World Philippines candidates will be busy with a sports competition at Victoria Sports. “Because in the international pageant, the sports challenge plays a big role,” rationalized Bessie.
The public can also watch the ladies in a fashion show with Zalora on August 21 at the Uptown Mall in Bonifacio Global City. Then they will hit the beach but the destination has yet to be announced. To find out, visit the Miss World Philippines Facebook page or follow @MsWorldPhil on Instagram and Twitter.
A gala night is scheduled on August 31. “We are very happy that the organization from London is flying to the Philippines to attend this and the pageant night,” enthused Bessie.
The Miss World Philippines 2017 pageant will be held on September 3 at the Mall of Asia Arena. Tickets are available at SM Tickets. Whoever wins will move on to the global competition in Shenzhen, China on November 18.
Miss World Philippines 2017 is presented by Procter & Gamble Philippines, New World Hotel, BYS Cosmetics, and GMA7. It is also supported by Bench, Bench Body, ATC Healthcare, Phoenix Petroleum, and AMA University Online as well as Zalora, Ipanema Flipflops, SM Accessories, The Parisian shoes, Victoria Sports, Jing Monis Salon, and Philippine Airlines. Media partners are Rappler and The Philippine Star.
Here’s the list of candidates:
OFFICIAL CANDIDATE NO. | CANDIDATE NAME | PROVINCE/REGION REPRESENTING |
AGE |
1 | SHAWNTEL CRUZ | Province of La Union | 20 |
2 | VERONICA VILLONES | Malolos City, Bulacan | 20 |
3 | GLYSSA PEREZ | Province of Bohol | 22 |
4 | ROSE FLORES | Makati City | 24 |
5 | KAYCIE LYN FAJARDO | City of Manila | 23 |
6 | JONA ILI SWEETT | Province of Aklan | 22 |
7 | JANE DARREN GENOBISA | Bansalan, Davao del Sur | 20 |
8 | NIKKI DEVEZA | Lucban, Quezon | 21 |
9 | TERESITA SSEN WINWYN MARQUEZ | Parañaque City | 25 |
10 | LEIDDA PAULETTE BABASANTA | Sta. Rosa, Laguna | 22 |
11 | GABRIELA MADARIETA ORTEGA | Province of Albay | 26 |
12 | HENNA KAIZZELLE NICOLE “KC” GONZALEZ CAJANDIG | Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat | 25 |
13 | KATHRYN JADE CUDIAMAT | Province of Rizal | 25 |
14 | CRISTINA MARIE CARPINA COLOMA | Province of Northern Samar | 26 |
15 | LAURA LEHMANN | Makati City | 24 |
16 | ETHEL ABELLANOSA | Tuburan, Cebu | 21 |
17 | JELLIE ALLIANA ESCANDON | Pandacan, Manila | 22 |
18 | ANGEL ALVAIRA | San Nicolas, Batangas | 25 |
19 | JOANNA MARIE RABE | Province of Zambales | 22 |
20 | TRIZHA OCAMPO | Province of La Union | 23 |
21 | NETANIA DEVEZA | Lucban, Quezon | 17 |
22 | CHELSEA ANNE MANALO | Meycauayan City, Bulacan | 17 |
23 | PRINCESS MARQUEZ LAUREANO | Province of Aurora | 18 |
24 | ZARA CARBONELL | Lemery, Batangas | 23 |
25 | KARREN DELA | Muntinlupa City | 21 |
26 | JANELA JOY CUATON | Province of Masbate | 20 |
27 | ELLA EIVEREN LUBAG | Sta. Rosa, Laguna | 20 |
28 | SHEILA MARIE REYES | Valenzuela City | 22 |
29 | KRYSTLE ANNE MANAS ONGJANCO | Filipino Community of Los Angeles | 24 |
30 | KATHLEEN GOMEZ | Balete, Batangas | 23 |
31 | JEANYFER GARVILLES OZBOT | Iloilo City | 22 |
32 | CYNTHIA THOMALLA | Cebu City | 22 |
33 | NOELLE FUENTES UY-TUAZON | Davao City | 25 |
34 | ANDREA POLIQUIT | Malabon City | 23 |
35 | SOPHIA SORDAN SENORON | City of Manila | 17 |
** All photos courtesy of Miss World Philippines.