BY ADRIAN P. NEMES III
Only one of three Negrense women made it through the list of the official top 30 finalists of Miss Universe Philippines 2021, the pageant organizers announced Wednesday.
Despite being in the top 15 of the runway challenge fan votes, Angela Nikki De Grano of EB Magalona town in Negros Occidental, who is based in Singapore, did not make it to the final 30.
The same fate happened to MassKara Queen 2018 second runner-up Shane Pia, who is representing Bacolod City.
Only Grace Charmaine Vendiola of Zamboanguita town, Negros Oriental was able to hurdle this year’s MUP challenges including the headshot and no-male-up photos, video introductions, runway, casting and interviews.
Among the front-runners who made it into the top 30 cut were Miss Globe 2019 second runner up Leren Bautista of Laguna, Asia’s Top Model and fan vote winner Maureen Wroblewitz of Pangasinan, Miss Supranational 2018 first runner-up Katrina Dimaranan of Taguig, actress and former reality TV show contestant Kirsten Danielle “Kisses” Delavin and Tiktok influencer Roussane Bernos of San Juan City.
Former Sinulog Festival Queen and Binibining Cebu Steffi Aberasturi, Mutya ng Pilipinas Tourism Queen 2018 Keshapornam Ramachandran of Iloilo City and MUP returnee Christelle Abello of Aklan are also part of the official candidates.
Also in the top 30 are Victoria Velasquez Vincent (Cavite), Samantha Santamaria (Parañaque City) Corrine Abalos(Mandaluyong City), Beatriz Luigi Gomez (Cebu City), Simone Nadine Bornilla(Marinduque), Janella Joy Cuaton (Albay), Vincy Vacalares (Cagayan De Oro), Noelyn Rose Campos (Antique), Izabella Jasmine Umali (Manila) and Princess Krista Singh (Pasig).
Completing the list are Jedidah Korinihona (Davao Del Sur), Jan Abejero (Isabela), Jane Nicole Miñano (Romblon), Krizzaleen Mae Valencia (Davao Occidental), Michele Okol (Surigao Del Norte), Julia Digal (Bukidnon), Chella Grace Falconer (Misamis Oriental), Joana Rabe (Zambales), Mirjan Hipolito (Angeles City), Ybonne Ortega (Davao City) and Isabelle Delos Santos (Makati).
Iloilo City’s Rabiya Mateo will crown her successor on September 25. The winner will represent the country in the Miss Universe 2021 pageant in Israel to be held in December this year.*
