#50 – Evanjelin Elchmanar (United Kingdom/INTERNATIONAL). In a way, Sri Lanka should be relishing a back-to-back Miss International placement, because of this actress’ lineage. Apart from breaking the Top 15, she also won Best in Swimsuit in the recent edition. She enters this list as the lone Brit.

#49 – Amelia Tu (Canada/UNIVERSE). As a multitalented double major and business owner, she has heaps of stories to tell. Thus, she had the most to gain from the achievement-favoring new criteria. She pirouetted into the Top 16 with ease.

#48 – Diana Andimba (Namibia/EARTH). Clearly, Miss Supranational has been good to this country lately, but it looks like Miss Earth is now following suit. The country scored its first placement with this formidable performer.

#47 – Agata Wdowiak (Poland/SUPRANATIONAL). The moment this Miss Universe 2021 alumna was announced as Miss Supranational 2022 host delegate, vindication was already underway. And that, she did: She was an undisputed Top 12 shoo-in in Małopowska.

#46 – Virginia Stablum (Italy/UNIVERSE). Well, it took them look enough, but it was refreshing to see another woman of color waving the Italian flag. No doubt, this spiritual follow-up to 1997’s Denny Mendez pulled out all stops, but it was an infamously fierce showdown. Worse, her equally lauded roommate and compatriot suffered a similar fate. That one was heartbreaking.

#45 – Julianna Ro (Spain/INTERNATIONAL). As in the case of Mexico, Miss International placements for Spanish contenders aren’t always guaranteed. But good thing they chose to, this time. This communications manager is just too striking to ignore.

#44 – Payengxa Lor (Laos/UNIVERSE). With Vietnam out of the running, it made room for last year’s biggest positive surprise. This English teacher scored a double breakthrough as the first Hmong lady to compete in Miss Universe and the first Laotian to make the cut. Perhaps, they should also consider handing awards for fashion sense.  

#43 – Maya Albert (France/INTERNATIONAL). Even when Miss International was stalled for two years,this angelic beauty remained a confirmed delegate. Even if her journey ended in the Top 15, it’s great to see her substantiating the hype.

#42 – Divita Rai (India/UNIVERSE). In hindsight, it was unwise to bet against the reigning country, given its ongoing renaissance. This proud advocate showed charisma in spades and kept the placement streak running after Harnaaz Sandhu’s landmark win.

#41 – Jéssica Pedroso (Brazil/EARTH). A four-year placement drought is an anomaly for a country that scored the first repeat Miss Earth victory. So, even if this São Paulo model stopped in the Top 12, there’s a sense of order restored.

#40 – Paulina Aviles Feshold (Puerto Rico/EARTH). It’s great to see Miss Earth finally giving this territory the powerhouse treatment. This Environmental Design student scored the island’s second Top Eight finish since winning in 2019.

#39 – Alexandrine Belle-Etoile (Mauritius/SUPRANATIONAL + UNIVERSE). We already knew she was Universe-bound when she made Top 12 in Miss Supranational six months prior. Sad that still couldn’t warrant a Miss Universe breakthrough, but nothing can take away the impact of her previous showing. It’s the best by any Mauritian delegate in recent years.  

#38 – Valentina Espinosa (Colombia/SUPRANATIONAL). Even before the Miss Universe license shake-up, Señorita Colombia started fielding its winners elsewhere. Kudos to 2021’s top winner for bringing honor to her franchise. She eased into the Miss Supranational Top 12

#37 – Monique Riley (Australia/UNIVERSE). Turns out, there’s really more to this Sydney-based actress than her viral selfies. Her rock-solid charm and quiet confidence proved to be an irresistible mix; she put the smallest continent back in the running.

#36 – Alicia Faubel (Spain/UNIVERSE). “Look who’s colonized now!”, said amused Pinoys as this Valencian vixen sampled pork hopia in straight Tagalog.  Well, apparently, the panel was just as enamored. High time the Universe recognized Spaniards again.  

UP NEXT: The lone Bb. Pilipinas sash bearer, a Supra-bound Earth diva, and upcycling hits a fashionable high