Miss Earth 2018 Final Hot Picks

Text and graphics by Drew Francisco

After the third victory of the Philippines in Miss Earth in the last four years, naysayers thought it was going to be the beginning of the end for the Philippine-based international pageant. But came the start of the 2018 edition, almost 90 delegates from around the country arrived in the Philippine shores a month ago to compete for the right to become Karen Ibasco’s successor.

The pageant has also proven yet again that staging the pageant outside its home country is not really necessary. Just look at the local government units, private sector and NGOs all coming together to give the delegates a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Aside from the usual swimsuit, national costume and long gown competitions, the delegates had the chance to be closer to nature by traveling around the Philippines and getting their hands dirty all for the unsaturated, all natural “Earthly” experience.

Miss Earth has also started to listen to its loyal legion of followers. The winner of the Best Eco Video finally gets a spot in the semifinals, alongside the winner of the Eco Media (50% voting, 50% advocacy). The three prejudging rounds (Beauty and Poise, Figure and Form, Intelligence and Advocacy) were streamed live online for all to see the performances of the delegates.

As we anticipate a spectacular show tonight at the Mall of Asia Arena, it’s time to pick who among the delegates has what it takes to become the face and voice of the “Beauties for a Cause” mantra.

Narrowing down the field to just 18 is no easy task, but for the sake of Missosology tradition, it has to be done. After careful deliberation by our core group of correspondents and experts, we present to you our Final Hot Picks for Miss Earth 2018.

Back on top and leading our Final Hot Picks is the lovely Telma Madeira of Portugal. She might not have the gift of gab, but Telma is a decent speaker. She speaks from the heart and is a dedicated earth warrior. She has a great figure that would help her breeze through the first rounds of the competition. But above all, she has the most beautiful face in this year’s roster. It has been a long time since Miss Earth crowned a super-beauty, and Telma would be the perfect personification of this year’s “Goddess of the Earth” theme. It would be a crime to waste this beauty!

Peaking at the right time is Antonia Figueroa of Chile. This environmental engineering major has started slow but has been impressing everyone in the prejudging rounds. She has the face, the body, and most of all, the communication skills needed to ace all segments of the finale. It won’t be a surprise if she wins her country’s second Miss Earth crown tonight.

Melissa Flores of Mexico is another super-beauty to watch out for tonight. Well-prepared and ready to finally bring home Mexico’s first Miss Earth crown, Melissa has been impressive in all rounds of the competition.

Completing our elemental court is the stunning Celeste Cortesi of the Philippines. She is no Karen Ibasco, but Celeste has improved her communications skills since her national pageant crowning. Despite her young age, she has shown dedication to her work. She is also one of the most beautiful the Philippines has ever sent to Miss Earth. Celeste will definitely have the home-court advantage with her tonight.

Check out the complete list below:

Miss Earth: Portugal | Telma Madeira
Miss Air: Chile | Antonia Figueroa
Miss Water: Mexico | Melissa Flores
Miss Fire: Philippines | Celeste Cortesi

5: Slovenia | Danijela Burjan
6: Venezuela | Diana Silva
7: Colombia | Valeria Ayos
8: Nigeria | Maristella Okpala

9: Nepal | Priya Sigdel
10: Spain | Carolina Jane
11: South Africa | Margo Faith Fargo
12: Vietnam | Phuong Khanh Nguyen

13: Poland | Aleksandra Grysz
14: Italy | Sofia Pavan
15: Puerto Rico | Krystal Xamairy
16: Guam | Emma Sheedy
17: Netherlands | Margaretha de Jong
18: Indonesia | Ratu Vashti Annisa

Almost there
19: Montenegro | Katarina Šeckovic
20: Brazil | Sayonara Veras
21: Ghana | Belvy Naa Teide Ofori
22: Panama | Diana Lemos
23: Guyana | Xamiera Kippins
24: Thailand | Nirada Chetsadapriyakun
25: Austria | Melanie Mader

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