Binibining Pilipinas Universe 2016 Maxine Medina is among one of the top of the Pre-Arrival Hot Picks list on the beauty pageant forum missosology.org for the 65th edition of Miss Universe pageant.
The pageant observers are believing that it is not impossible for the Philippines to have a back-to-back win this year, after Pia Wurtzbach got the crown in December 2015.
This is given Maxine’s unique beauty and the support of her countrymen, which is only boosting her confidence and making her more eager to win the crown.
“Although magaganda ‘yung candidates for the 2016 Miss Universe, aside from the homecourt avantage, iba kasi ‘yung hitsura ni Maxine. There’s also the modelling advantage for her, so I think, Maxine is comfortable competing here in Manila,” pageant expert Ferdinand Abejon said in an interview on GMA News, Wednesday.
Following Miss Philippines in the Hot Picks list from Missosology are Miss Thailand Chalita Suansane, Miss Venezuela Mariam Habach, Miss Brazil Raissa Santana, and Miss Colombia Andrea Tovar.
Like last year when Wurtzbach was vying for the prestigious crown, Colombia’s beauty queen might be one of the Philippines’ candidate’s biggest competitors.
“Malakas ang laban ng Colombia, and I think they would want to get the title because of what happened last year,” Abejon added.
To recall, last year’s Miss Universe host Steve Harvey mistakenly announced Miss Colombia 2015 Ariadna Gutierrez-Arevalo as the winner before he came back on stage and made a correction when Pia Wurtzbach was awarded the crown.
A few weeks before the pageant big day on January 30, Maxine continues to spend most of her time preparing for the prestigious competition, eager to give Filipinos a back-to-back win.
“I’ve been up 24/7 for the country, and I will do my very best… We can do this!” Medina said.
The 65th Miss Universe pageant will start with several activities next week in Vigan, Baguio, Boracay, Cebu, Batangas, and Davao.
It will conclude with the Grand Coronation Night on January 30, 2017 at the Mall of Asia Arena at 8:00 AM.
To provide for security during the pageant day, over 1,300 police officers will be designated in different parts of Metro Manila, and more officers will be deployed in Vigan, Baguio, Boracay, Cebu, Batangas, and Davao, for the competition.
As of now, officials of the Philippine National Police have coordinated with the Metro Manila Development Authority to manage the traffif flow.
The Philippine Coast Guard is also helping for the security of coastal areas while the Department of Health is doing for the medical emergencies.
