Miss Grand Philippines

 First batch of official candidates for 2023 lineup bared

By Earl l D.C. Bracamonte

ALV Pageant Circle, the local licensee of the Miss Grand International, announced the first eleven delegates who will comprise the 2033 lineup for its first-ever stand-alone national selection.

The eleven ladies, who were a mix of newbies and pageant veterans, qualified from a field of applicants that hailed from Metro Manila and Luzon, as well as the islands of Visayas and Mindanao.

The lucky applicants who were picked out from the first of two screenings, in random order, were:

- Ejay Vergara

- Laila Eupeña

- Shannon Tampon

- Gabrielle Runnstrom

-  Maria Gail Devora Tobes 

- Michelle  Arceo

- Carla Fatima

- Queen Mongcupa

- Jirkah Bantas

- Rona Lalaine Lopez, and

- Herlene Nicole Budol

The second leg of the  final screening, will take place at the Newport World Resorts on Wednesday, June 7, starting at 9 in the morning and will be a closed-door affair. It will be diring the deliberations that the doors will be opened to the media and the public.

During the screenings, all the applicants were required to bring a swimsuit of their choice, either a one-piece or 2-piece bikini, including a covering (sarong, shawl, or cape); 4" or 5" footwear (while platform heels were not allowed, a few of the applicants still wore them); photocopy of all required documents, including an accomplished MGPh application form; PSA birth certificate; passport; vaccination card; and medical/psychological certificate.

The panel of judges were looking for beauty, charisma, and grace, as well as a strong passion for advocacy and social responsibility. The selection t we try BB by off the next by was 😳 of Miss Grand International 2022 5th runner-up Roberta Tamondong, Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas 2022 Ingrid Santa Maria, Miss Tourism World International 2022 1st runner-up Justine Felizarta, and Miss Supranational Philippines 2021 Dindi Pajares, among others.

Aside from the Miss Grand International Philippines title, two other crowns will be given away come coronation night on July 13, 2023. The complete lineup of candidates will be revealed next week, June 7th. Stay tuned!