10 years ago, Miss Supranational entered Pinoy consciousness when Isabela’s Mutya Johanna Datul became the first Filipina and Asian to win that pageant. She was only the country’s third candidate at the time, following 2011’s Lourenz Grace Remetillo and 2012’s Elaine Kay Moll. Apparently, the latter’s surprise 3rd Runner-Up finish proved to be so auspicious, it warranted a new Bb. Pilipinas title. And, in April 2013, that honor went to Mutya.
Five months later, the then-21-year-old flew to Belarus with no previous international travel experience and history was made. Obviously, that milestone attracted more fans from the East. Since then, four more Asians have managed to win the title, including one each for Korea and Thailand and two for India, to date, the only country to win more than once.
Sadly, local interest plateaued over the years. While the Philippines managed to sustain a placement streak since Mutya’s win, no other Pinay managed to break the Top Five again. Some may cite Katrina Dimaranan’s 2018 1st Runner-Up finish was an exception, but she competed as an American that year. Since 2014, the Philippine sash made the Top 10 or 12 only thrice: 2017’s Chanel Thomas, 2018’s Jehza Huelar, and 2021’s Dindi Pajares. Outside of that, it’s been a long, arduous wait.
Complicating matters is the local franchise situation. Early this year, the organization separated from Miss World Philippines after only two years and absconded to the Miss Universe Philippines franchise. That, in turn, was downplayed by Khun Anne’s new license rules, thus depriving the selected candidate a proper televised crowning moment. But, perhaps, more awkwardly, higher-ups were forced to hastily create a separate pageant, one that doesn’t even carry the Supranational name yet. Hopefully, this clears up in time.
Another jolt came when 2019 winner, Anntonia Porsild, entered Miss Universe Thailand 2023. Understandably, her announcement was met with polarized reactions. Some fans embraced it without hesitation, hyping her international prospects to high heavens, even if their local pageant has barely even commenced. Others, on the other hand, put her loyalty into question. While pageant crossovers are common practice, it still hits differently from a former titleholder, and of a supposed major pageant at that. It inevitably begs the question, “Wasn’t the previous crown enough?”, especially since the pandemic even stretched Ann’s reign for two years. Hopefully, that doesn’t tarnish the brand in the long run. Rules are bound to be reviewed and tweaked down the line.
Yet despite the given setbacks, the pageant also took a huge strides recently. Last year saw the crowning of the contest’s first black winner, South Africa‘s Lalela Mswane. That was, of course, preceded by the first African win courtesy of Namibia’s Chanique Rabe.
This year, the organization finally decided to increase the age limit to 33. Sure, keen observers might have noticed 30-somethings competing in 2021, but that was mostly because the contest skipped a year. This time, it’s official, and it’s a development never before witnessed in a major tilt. This year, four contestants – including one veteran – were quick to follow that lead.
With that as starting point, the show will still go on as planned.
Homebase is once again Nowa Sacz in Małopowska, Poland, with Ivan Podrez returning as pre-pageant host and Martin Fitch hosting the finals. Joining the line-up as co-host is former Miss South Africa, Jo-Ann Strauss, whom fans remember as a Miss Universe close-shot and Miss World Top 10 placer in 2001. While the pageant is expected to have the same feel as previous editions, she can definitely add a fresh voice to the finale.
With those 30-somethings on-board, delegation was initially projected at 73. While nowhere near 2013’s record of 83, it would have been the highest since 2019 and would have featured eight comebacks and five debuts.
For a slew of reasons, though, that number considerably dwindled. For starters, Lesotho was supposed to send a sophomore entry in the person of Lerato Pitso. But after appearing in the online promotional teasers, she pulled out before the challenges. Guadeloupe and Sierra Leone were initially confirmed to return, but never identified delegates. Same goes for Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), which would have marked its debut.
Nonetheless, the online challenges commenced. First was the Supra-Chat Challenge, which took place virtually under the facilitation of Podrez before candidate arrivals. This year’s roster was divided into 10 groups, with each producing a semi-finalist. As in previous years, the overall winner (or winners) will earn a fast-track placement. Also revealed were the finalists for the Supra Fan Vote fast track and the Talent award. The winners of which, will also be revealed in finals night.
Sadly, some of the Supra-Chat participants also never made it to Poland for various reasons. There’s Chile’s Francisca Lavandero of Group One, who had trouble with her local organization; Equatorial Guinea’s Anita Mikue of Group Eight, who hinted that she’ll compete in 2024 instead; and Somalia’s Fowzia Abdirashid Abdihakin of Group Nine, whose passport problems marred what could have been her country’s debut.
The most conspicuous dropout, however, happened on Polish soil. Albania’s Klara Musabelliu had already taken part in the sashing ceremony in Małopowska, only to pull out days later, citing personal issues. This development was announced on the pageant’s social media platforms, complete with well-wishes from the other candidates.
Thus, the field is now reduced to 65. That’s four girls short of last year’s, but at least considerably higher than 2021’s 58. Curiously, the male counterpart’s delegation remains at 34 for the second straight year. As in previous years, Mister Supranational will be awarded the day after.
With the preliminaries looming, further cuts were made in the Supra-Chat Challenge and more on-ground activities took place, like the Supra-Model fast track qualifiers and the Talent finals. Curiously, no Miss Elegance pre-pageant contest was held this year, though they did hold a red carpet affair seemingly in lieu of that. Whether or not that award will resurface in the finals remains to be seen.
As with personal tradition, the next few days will be spent weighing in the chances of each candidate, followed by a personal wish list (because I tend to avoid using the word “prediction”).
Who will be crowned Miss Supranational 2023?
Find out on July 14! (July 15, if you’re not a night owl)
Planet Chuckie 