“Puksaan” has obviously replaced “Bardagulan” as Pinoy pageant fans’ favorite word. With a field as formidable as this, who can blame them? It does feel more like an “elimination” than a mere “showdown”. Much as anyone from the 66 can still pull surprises, triumph is reserved only for a few. Brutal cuts will inevitably be made. And, with that, here are my final picks for D-Day.

TOP 30: Angeles City, Benguet, Davao, Iloilo City, Naga City, Negros Occidental, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Siargao, Tacloban City. The pageant’s Wikipedia page briefly identified 30 as the number of placements. While we know better than to take that source as textbook truth, it’s nice to entertain the thought. Anyone from this tier can still easily power through, starting with the overseas entries Angeleyh Pasco, the Davaoeña with Aloha Spirit, and Zoe Gabon, the tattooed US Navy retiree representing Naga. Karen Nicole Piccio‘s interview might still keep Iloilo in the running. Same applies for Tacloban‘s Face of Mags finalist, Angela Cabel. Keeping the Kamampangan spirit alive are Dr. Rhancoise Mayangitan and Ira de Castro, while Andrea Cayabyab hopes to put Pangasinan back in the running. Aiming to finally score for her their respective islands are Negros Occidental‘s Franches Laquibla, the most solid Negrense performer and Siargao‘s Millien Joy Cabigas, who won Glutalipo People’s Choice. And missing my Top 20 by a hair, which I might regret later on, is Maiko Ibarde, the proud Igorota answer to Miss Universe 2022 2nd Runner-Up, Andreina Martinez. She could easily be the third Cordilleran contender up there.

SHOO-INS: Bohol, Camiguin, Ifugao, Isabela, Malay (Aklan), Manila, Nueva Ecija, Oriental Mindoro, Pasig, Tarlac. In a year Mindoro brought its A-game, the Oriental bet, Rechel Hoco proved she’s more to her than online popularity. Also among the refreshing newcomers are Tarlac‘s Sasha Lacuna and Pasig‘s Lexi Eugenio. And, bear in mind, the former National Director’s running for a seat in the latter’s city. Pre-pageant favorite Janina Sandhu might still make it for Isabela, though she’s currently outshone by a fellow Fil-Indian, and, while she’s not on everyone’s lists, Camiguin‘s Larsine Jensen might just be a worthy gamble pick. Several veterans can easily still earn a slot. There’s Jasmine Paguio, the Canadian representing our capital who seems poised to continue her streak, and Mutya ng Pilipinas alumna Tyra Goldman, the Nevada native from Bohol, who’s already competed abroad. Seeing Nueva Ecija‘s Chanel Olive admittedly feels bittersweet, especially with two other major pageant alumnae receiving substantially more hype. Nonetheless, expect the Melbourne native to still be up there, as she makes the most of her supposed final run. Also shoo-ins are two Stateside stunners from opposite coasts. There’s Taylor de Luna representing Malay, Aklan, and Valerie West, representing Ifugao. With luck, the Top 10 may even be within reach.

POTENTIAL USURPERS: Baguio City, Cebu City, Iligan City, Pasay, Taguig. While not clear-cut frontrunners, the following may either “steal” a spot from the winners’ circle, or even grab a secondary title, like two of last year’s Top 10 placers, Cyrille Payumo and Alexie Brooks. We start with Juliana Fresado, the revelation from Iligan City and Amanda Russo, the Pennysylvanian Gal Gadot representing Pasay, where the finals will be held. It’s wise not to leave out Gabriella Carballo, whose gift of “Gab” is bound to keep Cebu City on the map, and Baguio‘s Gwen Soriano, who suffered an eye infection right before the preliminaries but slayed nonetheless. Finally, it pains to relegate Taguig‘s Kat Llegado to this tier, given her previous 2nd Runner-Up finish. Then again, nothing’s stopping her from powering through. Hopefully, she still manages to earn a shot overseas.

CROWN CONTENDERS: Laguna, Muntinlupa, Quezon Province, Siniloan (Laguna), Sultan Kudarat. But, really, it’s foreseen to be a neck-and-neck battle among this quintet. And, honestly, it feels more like an awards show nomination line-up, where you straight up vote for your choice, than a rank-able roster. Two Laguneñas constitute the pack, with Yllana Aduana, the Siniloan slayer hoping to be the second Earth-to-Universe crossover, and provincial bet, Eloisa Jaoud, the neophyte likeliest to pull a Chelsea – no surprise if she does exactly that. And speaking of which, Sultan Kudarat could easily be the second winning Chelsea in a row. But then, Ahtisa could just as easily be the second Manalo in a row. The blogosphere sure thinks so and, if you think about it, why else would she join again this easily, and this soon, fresh from Cosmo? The Universe is aligning, it seems, but it won’t be that easy. Because, also figuring strong is the O.G. Latina Slayer, Winwyn Marquez, who’s obviously the strongest beneficiary of the amended rules. Should the other favorites falter, she might just break barriers as our country’s first representative above 30, and, not to mention, the first mom. It’s an open ball game at this point and it’s far too difficult to call.