Tracy Maureen Perez (©Miss Universe Philippines)

When it comes to Miss Universe Philippines 2020 predictions, Tracy Maureen Perez, 27, of Cebu City, Maria Ysabella Roxas Ysmael, 24, of Parañaque City and Pauline Cucharo Amelinckx, 24, of Bohol, Philippines are among the first names that come to mind. They are three of the Filipino beauty pageant fans’ favorites and it is safe to say that these three are among the most likely ones to win the crown.

Aside from having the best facial features in the roster, Perez, Ysmael and Amelinckx also consistently performed well in the preliminary events including the interview and the national costume, swimsuit and evening gown rounds.

If the only criterion was facial beauty, Perez is the clear winner. If I could create the strongest candidate by mixing elements from the 46 Miss Universe Philippines 2020 candidates, I would combine Perez’s beauty, Ysmael’s elegance and calmness and Amelinckx’s confidence. I would also add the speaking skills of Jan Alexis H. Elcano, 21, of Batanes and Alaiza Flor P. Malinao, 25, of Davao City.

Elcano and Malinao nailed the preliminary interview because they are among the few who gave specific and concise answers. It is already 2020 and it is cringe-worthy to hear beauty pageant contestants using memorized speeches and big words to answer questions that require simple answers.

In the preliminary round on October 23, 2020, Amelinckx proved that she is the girl to watch out for after winning four special awards. She was Miss Creamsilk, Miss Downy Sweetheart, Miss Cetaphil Sun and the Face of the Universe.

However, candidates who win the most awards do not always win just like Teresita Ssen Marquez in Binibining Pilipinas 2015 and Vickie Marie Rushton in Bb. Pilipinas 2019. The eventual winner do not always win the most special awards such as Janine Tugonon in Bb. Pilipinas 2012, Ariella Arida in Bb. Pilipinas 2013, Pia Wurtzbach in Bb. Pilipinas 2015 and Maxine Medina in Bb. Pilipinas 2016.

In Miss Universe Philippines 2020, Verzosa Aesthetic Clinic, one of the major sponsors, presented the Best in Evening Gown award to Ysmael. Perez was Miss Photogenic, which proves that she has improved a lot since her Top 12 finish in Miss World Philippines 2019.

Back then, Perez’s photos did not showcase how beautiful she really was. Now, she is back and it was probably destiny that did not allow her to win Miss World Philippines 2019 so she could win the inaugural Miss World Philippines and eventually become the fifth Miss Universe of the Philippines.

But it would not be easy for Perez. Aside from Ysmael and Amelinckx, there are a lot of standouts to compete against and they are competing for one title only unlike in Binibining Pilipinas and Miss World Philippines where there are more chances of winning a crown.

Hosted by KC Montero, the Miss Universe Philippines 2020 coronation night will take place at the Cordillera Convention Hall of Baguio Country Club in Baguio City, Philippines on October 25, 2020. It will air on GMA Network. Below are the candidates who I predict to be the semifinalists and winners.

For me, these candidates will finish in the Top 16:

• Christelle Anjali B. Abello, 25, Aklan
• Jan Alexis H. Elcano, 21, Batanes
• Kimberly “Billie” P. Hakenson, 26, Cavite
• We’am R. Ahmed, 20, Davao del Norte
• Rabiya Occeña Mateo, 24, Iloilo City
• Marie Fee M. Tajaran, 25, Romblon

These candidates are likely to reach the Top 10 but will not advance to the Top 5:

• Apriel D. Smith, 24, Cebu Province
• Kim Chi A. Crizaldo, 23, Iloilo Province
• Lou Dominique A. Piczon, 24, Mandaue
• Michele Theresa Imperial Gumabao, 27, Quezon City
• Sandra Raymundo Lemonon, 26, Taguig City

I predict that Miss Universe Philippines 2020 is Tracy Maureen Perez and her runners-up will be Ysabella Ysmael, Pauline Amelinckx, Alaiza Malinao and Skelly Ivy Florida.

predicted 4th runner-up: Skelly Ivy Florida, 21, Biliran

predicted 3rd runner-up: Alaiza Flor P. Malinao, 25, Davao City

predicted 2nd runner-up: Pauline Cucharo Amelinckx, 24, Bohol

predicted 1st runner-up: Maria Ysabella Roxas Ysmael, 24, Parañaque City

predicted Miss Universe Philippines 2020: Tracy Maureen Perez, 27, Cebu City