Miss Universe candidates shortlisted to top 10

Manila: Three Southeast Asian beauty queens, three more from the Western world, and four others from central and South America were shortlisted as early top 10 favourites in the Miss Universe beauty contest that will end in a coronation in Metro Manila’s Pasay City on January 30.

They were selected based on ranking of judges and online voting, as each of the 86 candidates showed off their beauty, curves and in evening gowns, national costumes, and swimsuits at SM’s Mall of Asia Arena late Thursday.

More online voting could still alter and change the ranking, an organiser said.

A posting on You Tube, identified as “official”, showed an emcee naming three Southeast Asian favourites: Miss Indonesia Kezia Warouw; Miss Philippines Maxine Medina; and Miss Thailand Chalita Suansane.

Also named “in the running” are Miss Colombia Andrea Tovar; Miss Brazil Raissa Santana; Miss Mexico Kristal Silva, and Miss Peru Valeria Piazza.

Included in the coveted list were Miss Australia Caris Tiivel; Miss France Alicia Aylies; and Miss United States Deshauna Barber.

More than .75 million people were predicted to compete with the judges in voting online days and hours before the coronation night next week, organisers explained, adding that more changes are expected to happen.