A Philippines VS. Colombia rematch?
If the numerous fearless forecasts for this year’s Miss Universe are any indications, it looks like Miss Colombia Andrea Tovar and Miss Philippines Maxine Medina will likely meet each other in the Final 5 of the prestigious pageant.
Given the controversial fashion in which reigning Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach won the title that was initially awarded by pageant host Steve Harvey to first runner-up Ariadna Gutierrez, not a few people see the two candidates as “rivals” for the coveted crown.
In two recent Hot Picks of pageant analysis site, Missosology.org, Maxine and Andrea held the Top 2 spots, with Maxine topping the list prior to the arrival of the candidates in the country. Andrea, however, was ranked number one in the site’s Fourth Hot Picks ranking.
Only 23, Andrea is the first Afro-Colombian delegate since 2001 to represent her country in Miss Universe. The daughter of a physician and a businesswoman, Andrea is currently studying Industrial Design and Photographic Image Production in Bogota.
For sure, Andrea is seeking some sort of redemption for her compatriot’s bitter loss last year, aiming to regain the Miss Universe crown last won two years ago by Paulina Vega.
Maxine, on the other hand, is a 26-year-old interior designer and commercial model who is under a lot of pressure for her to win back-toback wins for the country — on Philippine soil no less.
“But it’s a good kind of pressure…I know everyone will be cheering for me. Everyone will be supporting me,” she said in recent interviews.
Being considered favorites are no guarantees that they are shoo-ins for the crowns or even semifinals. Both Andrea and Maxine still need to work hard to impress the judges who will not be swayed by any pre-pageant analysis.
They also both need to overcome issues that may affect their chances and allow any of the 84 equally deserving candidates to become the next Miss Universe. In the latest Hot Picks of Missosology, both have fallen from their perch but are still within striking distance of the favored contestants.
“The controversy surrounding her interview skills, and whether or not she should use an interpreter during the final night are overshadowing some of the better attributes that this young model can actually offer. Maxine will surely score high in the swimsuit and evening gown competitions, and just as she said, Filipino fans just have to ‘believe in her’ especially during the important interview round,” Missosology.org wrote about Maxine who is currently ranked number four.
As for Andrea, the site took note that “[a] lot of pageant analysts were not impressed with Andrea’s swimsuit body, especially her wide hip.”
“In addition to that, there was a controversial video circulating in social media about her alleged mockery of the Mexican accent and lack of appreciation with the confectioneries offered to her by the sponsor. In this day and age, it is very important to guard one’s thoughts and, as Pia Wurtzbach once said, to ‘think before you click’.”
With the emergence of other possible contenders like Miss Thailand Chalita Suansane, Miss Brazil Raissa Santana, Miss Venezuela Miriam Habach and Miss Nicaragua Marina Jacoby, Miss Universe 2017 is far from being a Maxine-Andrea show.
Just the same, fans of the two ladies are anxiously looking forward to how the Miss Philippines-Miss Colombia “rematch,” if it could be considered as such, would ultimately play out.
The 65th Miss Universe Grand Coronation Night is happening on January 30, 8 a.m., (Manila time) and will air live on Philippine television stations.