ANGOLA – Ana Barbara Coimbra. This year marks the silver anniversary of this country’s entry into pageantry, and since then, it’s given us three Miss World finalists and one Miss Universe winner. This afro-sporting advocate joined under the radar but is now in the running for Voices of Change. It’s safe to assume she’s now within shooting distance.

AUSTRALIA – Moraya Wilson. If there’s one thing two out of the last three last editions taught us, it’s to never rule out the strong Aussies – no matter how underrated they are. Take the case of this gorgeous athlete, who looks every bit a contender, despite relatively subdued buzz.

BAHRAIN – Lujane Yacoub. Three appearances in and this Middle Eastern island never ceases to impress. This stunner empowers children through the arts and is also the first ever SmileTrain ambassador from her country. She’s a pioneer and more ways than one, which is catnip for the MUO in this new era. Never mind if her exaggerated gestures in the swimsuit round were akin to a sorceress’.

CAMBODIA – Sotima John. Not even a local license shift can keep this fashion design graduate from making waves. But seeing how the incredible likes of Sarita Reth (2020) and Manita Hang (2022) couldn’t catch a break, her prospects remain uneven.

CAMEROON – Issie Princesse. It’s amusing how this breast cancer advocate’s name almost sounds like“Easy Princess”, though we know the contest’s anything but. Good thing she never stopped serving looks since arriving in El Salvador and is also one of Africa’s Fan Vote leaders. Her main hurdle is that the southern half of her continent is catching up.

EGYPT – Mohra Tantawy. We can’t really call her the Arab world’s answer to MJ Lastimosa as MJ herself is already of Arab lineage. A breakthrough might still be a stretch, but this model makes for a solid return. Let’s see how far Josh Yugen can take the local franchise in coming years.  

EQUATORIAL GUINEA – Diana Hinestrosa. Four years later, this country thankfully hasn’t any sent any misfires, but it hasn’t sent heavy contenders either. So, much as this youth education advocate looks great, other Africans have the upper hand. And it must be tough to alphabetically follow the host nation.

INDIA – Shweta Sharda. This professional dancer was only 12 days old when Lara Dutta won the crown. But, perhaps, her more noteworthy connection to a former queen is not with a compatriot, but rather, with a Filipina. It’s hard to unsee her resemblance to Pia Wurtzbach. She may even have employed tricks from Pia’s playbook in her preliminaries – down to that smize. With or without that strategy, she has the capacity to continue the streak. It’s just that two of her neighbors came in as groundbreakers. She might have to up the ante.

INDONESIA – Fabiënne Nicole Groeneveld. This law student was by no means the runaway favorite in her national competition, but that wasn’t why her win was controversial. Not long after her crowning, seven contestants came forward and accused the local pageant organizers of sexual harassment. Consequently, the renewed franchise selection process of the parent organization came into question, and it propelled the call for more stringent background checks. After a thorough investigation, the MUO severed ties with that new national director. Fast forward to El Salvador, and it’s comforting to see this lovely Eurasian active, present, and unfazed. It’s still unclear if she can restore her country’s prospects, but at least she’s making a solid mark.

JAPAN – Rio Miyazaki. This education student may share a surname with the woman who brought her country back in the running 20 years ago, but the similarities seem to end there. Thankfully, she acquitted herself quite well during the evening gown round, which is usually her country’s strong ace.    

KOREA – So-yun Kim. There are countless reasons this country is in everyone’s radar, but pageantry isn’t one of them. Nevertheless, this IT professional is an underrated gem and an improvement from recent entrants from her country.  

LAOS – Phaimany Lathsabanthao. Her predecessor’s breakthrough remains a surprise, but, nonetheless, we all love a first-time placer. It’s unclear if this woman empowerment advocate can benefit from that momentum. As of now, attention has seemingly reverted to the usual ASEAN suspects.

LEBANON – Maya Abou El Hosn. It’s been 50 years since the Land of the Cedars last made the cut with the ill-fated Marcelle Herro. Half a century later, this gorgeous TV host is easily one of its strongest shots since. Based on her early Top Ten Fan Vote placement, the clamor is certainly there and her appearances in El Salvador continue to impress. Now that she’s a Voices of Change Silver Finalist, a resurgence may be underway.  

MALAYSIA – Serena Lee. Up until this month, her participation was still luncertain. See, the deposed franchise holder of Miss Universe Indonesia was also supposed to handle the license of her country. But because of the aforementioned scandal, no national pageant was ever held. Luckily, this law student managed to find her way in and is proving to be a solid contender, despite the lack of buzz.

MAURITIUS – Tatiana Beauharnais. When El Salvador first staged the contest in 1975, this island country made its debut. Perhaps, this coming full circle can herald brighter returns in the future as they have been impressing recently. This police constable is no exception. The breakthrough might not happen yet, but she’s a step in the right direction.

MONGOLIA – Namuunzul Batmagnai. We’ve seen wonders from this country in other recent pageants but it has yet to make a mark here since debuting in 2018. Now that it’s back after a three-year absence, it can at least continue building up steam. This one’s a good restart, even if she’s not a frontrunner.

MYANMAR – Amara Bo. Sure, this country skipped 2021. But clearly, the fans are still driven by their 2020 breakthrough placement that they kept the votes coming before she even landed in El Salvador. Chances are, that stronghold will remain – or even intensify in days to come. She might easily even be this year’s Payenxa Lor – albeit from the Western half of Indochina.

NAMIBIA – Jameela Uiras. Much as this country hasn’t had much follow-through since winning in 1992, this marketing strategist might just suddenly find herself in contention. She enjoyed a 28-spot leap in fan vote rankings when she arrived in El Salvador and was impressive in preliminaries.  

NEPAL – Jane Dipika Garrett. To quote the title of a 2002 movie starring a then-unknown America Ferrera, Real Women Have Curves. So, it’s obvious why this nurse is breaking barriers and sparking hope among the plus-sized. She’s a game-changer, but it still begs the question if she’ll be rewarded for what she represents or if antiquated standards will still prevail. Then again, those cheers are a great start.

NIGERIA – Ugochi Ihezue. Yes, Nyekachi Douglas’ loss at a national level was heartbreaking, but bear in mind, this business graduate was a Miss World finalist too. In 2017, she won the Top Model challenge and made the Top 15 in the said pageant – same year Andrea Meza also placed first runner-up. No doubt, “Mitchell” deserves this shot just as much, even if the stiff competition offers no guarantees.

PAKISTAN – Erica Robin. This Karachi-based model faced backlash when she was crowned as the first ever Miss Universe Pakistan – this, despite coming from a very sparse Christian minority in her homeland. The conservative majority denounced her candidacy as “insulting and shameful”, and even put the national pageant’s legitimacy into question. Well, it’s not a new story, and it’s not just limited to this debuting country. Whatever the case, this newcomer is making tremendous impact and her preliminary performance was absolutely mesmerizing. Josh Yugen’s efforts could finally bear fruit.

PHILIPPINES – Michelle Marquez Dee. It’s easy to be disheartened from last year’s turn of events. But, of course, the trick is to always to stand up again, recalibrate existing strategies, and continue surging ahead. And hoping to achieve that upturn is this Miss World 2019 alumna, who not only comes with experience, but with a pedigree, as she’s the daughter of Miss International 1979 Melanie Marquez. So far, she has progressed tremendously since her previous stint and it’s a thrill to see her calculated efforts pay off. It’s a story worth following, which, based on her Voices of Change citation, will likely conclude with redemption.

SINGAPORE – Priyanka Annuncia. Last year’s delegate may have been a lackluster follow-up to 2021’s drought-busting Nandita Banna, but thankfully, the Merlion City is back on track. This Miss Supranational alumna has vastly improved since her previous outing and might now earn a shot thanks to her Voices of Change citation. See, Singapore, this is how you follow through.

SOUTH AFRICA – Bryoni Natalie Govender. Since the current national titleholder, Natasha Joubert, competed here already, this attorney of Indian descent was granted the shot. Seeing the glow-up she underwent leading to El Salvador, the stronghold will likely stay secure. For sure, her gift of gab is her strongest ace and her Voices of Change citation was likely an easy pick.  

THAILAND – Anntonia Porsild. Just like Michelle Dee, this veteran also hails from the Class of 2019, but with a loftier previous achievement. She actually won her previous tilt. So, we can’t blame Miss Supranational fans from still quibbling about this risky move and its possible repercussions. And quite honestly, it still perplexes, given Khun Anne‘s directive to disassociate with other brands. Now, comes the unavoidable question: can she or can she not? Given her track record, it seems we’re being conditioned for a no-brainer, but it’s a different year, a different platform, and most crucially, a different set of competitors. At the minimum, she’s foreseen to put her country back in the running after two years, as she rightfully should. It’s the likelihood of Crown #2 that remains subject to debate. At least she’s working just as hard.

VIETNAM – Quynh Hoa Bùi.  Fan Vote was this country’s lifeline in 2020 and 2021. So, it’s strange not seeing this reproductive health advocate among the early Top Ten, and come to think of it, even the fanfare feels generally subdued. Whatever the case, that shouldn’t stop her from rallying harder when it counts. So far, she’s still one to watch.

ZIMBABWE – Brooke Bruk-Jackson. After a 21-year absence, it’s great to see this country back, and, curiously enough, with a blonde Caucasian. Not that it’s completely unusual, mind you, since the country did have a substantial white population when it was still Southern Rhodesia. Surely, that unique background will give this fashion designer more edge. She’s among her continent’s early Fan Vote leaders and is now a Voices of Change Silver Finalist.