BANGLADESH – Tangia Zaman Methila. In an awesome case of fate leading to what’s meant to be, this actress missed her shot during the pandemic, only to earn her chance five years later. She’s a revelation, to sum it up. And judging from her standings in the voting rounds, the Bangladeshi breakthrough seems imminent.

CAMBODIA – Neary Socheata Thai. Given her homeland’s recent conflict with the host country, she reportedly pushed through without her national organization’s blessing. It’s reassuring to see her safe and at the top of her game, but the level of competition makes a placement streak feel unlikely.  

CHINA – Zhao Na. Lately, the ASEANs tend to dominate the Asian race. But if Jia Qi could manage a surprise last year, then so should this six-foot professional dancer, who’s gaining more traction by the day. She’s arguably the strongest Chinese since 2011’s 4th Runner-Up, Zilin Luo, so she’s one to keep an eye on.

HONG KONG – Lizzie Li. When China’s SARs first came in full force last year, it was the former Portuguese colony which powered through. This recent returnee sends another promising contender but stands to repeat her predecessor’s finish.

INDIA – Manika Vishwakarma. For the second time in three years, the powerhouse sent a Pia Wurtzbach clone. In less competitive years, this model would be considered a strong crown contender. But in a formidable roster as huge as this, making the Top 12 or even scoring Miss Universe Asia might be enough.

INDONESIA – Sanly Liu. Obviously, the archipelago lost footing since skipping 2021 and subsequently shifting licenses. So, naturally, hopes were high when this Balinese businesswoman went for a shot at nationals and rightfully earned the title. She’s their best shot since Frederika Cull, so they said, but while pre-arrival photos impressed, she was subsequently outshone in Thailand. Nevertheless, her countrymen need not worry as she’s continuously putting up a fight and the online support, of course, overwhelms. Even if the hype doesn’t fully actualize, she seems a lock for the next best thing: to finally put her country back in the running.  

JAPAN – Kaori Hashimoto. Last year’s half-Bangladeshi entrant, Kaya Chakrabortty, turned out to be a refreshing Top 30 surprise. This year’s business administration student, on the other hand, is barely mentioned.

KAZAKHSTAN – Dana Almassova. Unless a shocker’s in store, let’s just settle with the world’s largest landlocked country having better luck elsewhere, though this PR and advertising graduate’s indeed striking.

KOREA – Soo-eon Lee. This model-actress is one of the more competitive South Koreans sent here in recent years, which does amount to something. It’s just that the country hasn’t really been in this contest’s radar lately.

KYRGYZSTAN – Mary Kuvakova. More or less, she’s on the same boat as Kazakhstan, except she’s not as polished and her country joined much more recently.

LAOS – Lattana Munvilay. The first and last time this country competed on Thai soil, it won Best National Costume. Wonder what surprise the host has in store for its neighbor this time, as this model-actress is gathering steam.

MACAU – Kristen Feng. Cassandra Chiu pulled quite the shocker last year, didn’t she? Well, there’s this gnawing feeling that was simply beginners’ luck, though this Oxford sophomore has her merits.

MALAYSIA – Chloe Lim. Thanks to Sandra Lim, the country’s five-decade placement drought’s now a thing of the past. The pressure’s now on this management consultant to continue making up for lost time, which unfortunately, isn’t clamored to happen.

MYANMAR – Myat Yanadar Soe. Prospects notwithstanding, the next-door neighbors are certainly bringing their A game. And just like Laos, this Mandalay model might pull a positive surprise.

NEPAL – Sanya Adhikari. Since Jane Dipika Garrett broke barriers, the elevated country hasn’t been, well, rising to the occasion. This recent graduate’s a worthy follow-up, but the showdown’s just way too intense.

PAKISTAN – Roma Riaz. For sure, Josh Yugen cherishes this country as the first of his franchises to catch a break. And while the diversity card is clearly in his playbook, this petite, plus-sized model isn’t enjoying the same acclaim as 2023’s Erica Robin, who by the way, deserved to place much higher.

PHILIPPINES – Maria Ahtisa Manalo. It’s really been a long time coming, with a journey that pre-dates even last year’s Miss Cosmo detour. We’re talking 2018, when she nearly captured the country’s seventh Miss International crown and 2020, when she reportedly showed up to the inaugural Miss Universe Philippines registrations, only to not push through. 

Her presence is a culmination in itself but, of course, why stop? There’s no satisfying the Filipinos’ hunger for victory and, so far, she’s been serving our fill. Yet, as we behold what she herself branded “The Best Ahtisa Ever” (to her credit, it truly is), let’s consider certain factors. What’s to stop Latins from favoring their own, or for home court advantage to come into play? Most importantly, will the hosts yield that easily to another Pinay after Emma Tiglao’s MGI win? For now, we salute her for exceeding expectations.

SINGAPORE – Annika Xue Sager. Since Nandita Banna’s 2021 drought-ender, the country largely stepped up its game. This half-German’s well-polished, though a follow through isn’t foreseen just yet.

SRI LANKA – Lihasha Lindsay White. Ceylon’s 1955 2nd Runner-Up Maureen Hingert, passed away last June. Hoping to honor her legacy 70 years (and a name change) later is this entrepreneur who could pass as Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu’s younger sister. No guarantee that she can reach similar lengths, but she’s been earning mentions.

THAILAND – Praveenar Singh. It’s hard to say no to someone who tried four times, especially when she could’ve captured it earlier on. But then, we’re no longer strangers to this trajectory – Pia Wurtzbach, for one, jumpstarted from that. It’s all part of a divine plan, as many cliches go. Now the Indian-by-blood, Thai-by-birth stunner’s finally ready to conquer.

As her predecessor, Opal Suchata, reigns as Miss World, Thai fans are naturally clamoring for a Sushmita-Aishwarya/Lara-Priyanka kind of double feat. It’ll no longer come as easy, as the friction among the Latin owners and the local host committee intensifies. Fans can only hope she brightens her luster even more on finals night. That would be the moment of reckoning. 

VIETNAM – Huong Giang Nguyễn. Being the first Asian transgender to compete here is bound to instigate discourse, even with three Europeans preceding her. But, even without that factor, the former Miss International Queen is still subject to the usual Southeast Asian showdown. Fortunately, she’s been holding her own.