Ms. Universe 2017 has new semi-finals format

The selection of the sixteen Miss Universe 2017 semifinalists will take on a new twist in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 26 (November 27 in Manila).

"For the first cut, three candidates from each region will be selected based on scores plus one spot for the girl with the most votes in that region," said Norman Tinio, of normannorman.com, a popular blog on international and local beauty pageants, during an interview in Parañaque City last Thursday night.

"And then, there will be 4 (four) remaining wild card spots from around the world."

"So there will be 4 girls from the Americas, 4 girls from Europe, 4 from girls from Asia, Africa and Pacific; and 4 wild cards. A total of 16 semifinalists," added Tinio.

While fan votes will help advance a candidate to the top 16, unconfirmed reports said that the 92 candidates will choose among themselves a girl who will advance to the semi-finals.

The worldwide fan voting for the Miss Universe 2017 pageant will end on November 25, one day before the finals.

Rodgil Flores, head of the Kagandahang Flores beauty camp which trained Miss Philippines Rachel Peters, will fly to Las Vegas to catch the Miss Universe pageant on Sunday.

Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach and mentor Jonas Gaffud of the Aces and Queens beauty camp will likewise be in Las Vegas for the Miss Universe pageant.