BACOLOD – Megan Larisse Baldevia. She has Face Card and all, but for someone representing the City of Smiles, she rarely does in her presentations. She’s now one of two Negrenses benched after this round. 

BOHOL – Kathleen Dale Caseñas. She could have brought forth the Batangueña Breakthrough, except that messy fallout – curiously – redirected her to this island. But, much as being the first delegate to be re-sashed (or re-provinced?) mid-pageant gives her historic distinction, she now nervously awaits her Wild Card fate. 

ILIGAN CITY – Trexy Paris Roxas. This 19-year-old first seemed due a back-to-back placement for the City of Majestic Waterfalls, but she was shockingly edged out.  All hopes’s not lost, though, as she was chosen as one of the Five Gems of Misamis Occidental, as Ambassadress of Agriculture. That increases her Wild Card contention, for sure.

LUISIANA, LAGUNA – Ashley Subijano Montenegro. Many figured she’d be the former titleholder who’d struggle the most. What’s jaw-dropping, though, was that she’d get the boot this soon – after the very challenge that once earned her a crown. There’s a fair chance a Wild Card slot is waiting for her. But, as for replicating her previous glory, that’s now the bigger challenge. 

NEGROS ORIENTAL – Maria Fatima Al-Sowyed. At 32, she’s still every inch the stunner who earned her lofty Miss Philippines Earth placement (and, eventually, Element) 10 years ago, so seeing her struggle does frustrate. Her second lease would ultimately depend on the judges’ call, as her voting contingent seems to be overpowered. 

PALAWAN – Aviona Dass. One would take her affiliation with a P-Pop girl group as added edge, but, shockingly, this young stunner was edged out. She could be a worthy save, but then, the Wild Card race is intensifying.   

PATEROS – Kristen Marcelino. She entered the race with twice the hype, as sister of Mister Cosmopolitan Runner-Up Kenneth Marcelino and as the first ever entrant of NCR’s lone municipality. Much as she’s benched, she’s one likely to benefit from a Wild Card save. 

SAN CARLOS, PANGASINAN – Rose Ann Albania. One would think that the Pangasinan contingent would still be intact, given that the province hosted the National Costume competition. Even more shocking is that the component city’s benched bet is arguably more solid. Also: it’s not all the time you see that European country as someone’s surname. 

STO. TOMAS, LA UNION (FIL. SOCIETY OF SEATTLE, WASHINGTON) – Rachel Hanna Gozum. Three girls hail from Washington State this year, and this one has gorgeous pan-Asian features. She deserves more than this early boot. Even sadder is that even a Wild Card slot feels like struggle.