The girls of Miss World-PH and their gowns on gala night

JUST a few days before tomorrow’s coronation night, Miss World Philippines 2018’s 40 candidates featured in a gala fashion show where Top Model competition.

Held at the Grand Ballroom of Marriott Hotel, Resorts World Manila on October 2, the event also saw the talent portion of Miss World Philippines, where singing beauties Danica Reynes (Candidate No. 6), Angeline Mae Santos (7) and Alyssa Muhlach Alvarez (33), stood out with their renditions of Andra Day’s “Rise Up,” and “The Greatest Showman’s” “A Million Dreams” and“Never Enough,” respectively.

Come the long gown modelling segment, the statuesque candidates all radiated poise and grace, but with only seven finalists needed for the Top Model competition, candidates No. 5 Kim de Guzman, No. 34 Denielle Magno, Alvarez, No. 16 Maureen Montage, No. 23 Marianne Marquez, No. 27 Katarina Rodriguez, and No. 38 Katrina Acaylar, deserved to be in the magic circle.

It will be remembered that Rodriguez was a Binibining Pilipinas 2017 winner who

2017 pageant in January in Egypt. She previously placed third in the second season of “Asia’s Next Top Model” in 2014, and therefore a shoo-in for the long gown category.

stood out for their choice of clean silhouetes and delicately beaded gowns during the fashion show. Rodriguez, however, sported a touch of fun on her sexy red number, with sparse fringes around the waist.

The panel of judges for the long gown competition was led by TJ Marquez, who is now a big celebrity in Indonesia; Resorts World Manila Corporate Communications director Joee Guilas; actress Sunshine Cruz; Robinsons Department Store creative director Arturo Go; thespian Pinky Amador; Reina Hispanoamericana 2017 Teresita Ssen “Winwyn” Marquez; and Miss World Philippines 2017 Laura Lehmann.

Spotted among the evening’s well dressed guests were Miss World fran-

showbiz couple Eddie Gutierrez and Annabelle Rama (who was introduced

World Philippines); pageant sponsor Blue Water Day Spa owners Mary Go Simisim and Nancy Go amd their brand ambassadors, Harry Morris of the Philip-

Blanca Mercado; along with feng shui master Marites Allen.

The Miss World Philippines 2018 pageant unfolds tomorrow at 7 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Former Binibining Pilipinas Katarina Rodriguez of Davao City takes another shot at a beauty crown just months after her first runnerup finish in January’s Miss Intercontinental pageant in Egypt.

The pageant world’s first Filipina Reina Hispanoamericana Teresita Ssen ‘ Winwyn’ Marquez.

Reigning Miss World Philippines Laura Lehmann.