Maureen Montagne

Philippines makes it to Head-to-Head Challenge semifinals

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte

Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2021 Maureen Montagne is part of 18 semifinalists in the Head-to-Head challenge that culminated on Oct. 28, 2021. The winner of this challenge will automatically be part of the final round on Nov. 5, as well as the winner of the online votes.

Maya Pilar Alcantara, special events correspondent for the Miss Globe organization, announced the names of the semifinalists during a hosted dinner by the city of Berak, in southern Albania, some 43 miles from the pageant venue of Tirana.

Berat City is one of the main cultural centers in Albania and was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. 

The 18 candidates who qualified for the semifinal round (in the order that they were announced) are:

- Ukraine

- Guyana

- USA

- Romania

- Germany

- Mexico

- Turkey

- Canada

- France

- Bulgaria

- Malaysia

- Denmark

- Tatarstan

- Kazakhstan

- Nigeria

- Latvia

- Philippines, and

- Albania

In the challenge, Maureen is part of Group 6 - comprised of Malaysia, Canada, USA, herself, and hometown representative, Miss Albania. Interestingly, all five qualified for the semifinal round, including Miss France, who served as Miss Albania's interpreter.

Last Oct 28, the girls faced three rounds of elimination. For those who have seen how the Miss World-Philippines does this, they have an idea how this goes. But for those who haven't, the eliminations are like extemporaneous speaking contests, wherein the girls will be given a topic and they each speak about it at length. 

In succeeding pairings, the girls will then ask another candidate a question, and, finally the girls will go on oral argumentation explaining why she should be the ultimate winner to be picked. She then finds herself fast-tracked to the final round of competitions - swimwear, evening gown (this year's color is silver), and final Q & A.

During the Talent Show night, the winner of the Head to Head challenge. Malaysia won the challenge and Maureen won 2nd Place.

Maureen was also chosen as one of the Top 5 in the talent competition for her ukelele rendition of the soundtrack "Kiss Me," from the movie "She's All That."

The coronation night will unfold on Nov 5, 5 pm, Albanian time - which is, Nov 6, 11 am, Philippine time. Continue to vote for Maureen on themissglobe.com Web site.