Yoyogi Gymnasium

 Miss International 2023 bares pageant format

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte

In a social media post earlier this month, Miss International spokesperson Stephen Diaz wrote that visa invitations for Miss International 2023 delegates are now being sent one by one. "This is it! Three months before arrival."

The eliminations will follow this format: From 80+ aspirants, the field will be narrowed down to the Final 15. From this number will emerge the Top 7.  Semifinalists will do the athletic wear or swimsuit while the Top 7 will do the speech round and final look in their evening gowns.

This year's Miss International winner, according to the organization in a social media post, will be evaluated based on their attitude, punctuality, beauty of face, body proportion, intelligence, and their social contributions. Preliminary judging will strictly be for body proportions and skin quality. Skin color is irrelevant.

While the contest's past winners have mostly been women of fair complexion, perhaps the organization is now ready to embrace the idea of having a winner of color. This bodes well for countries who have been lobbying for their dark-skinned national winners to receive the International crown.

Binibining Pilipinas International 2022 Nicole Borromeo will be representing the Philippines in the Tokyo finals this year, while recently-crowned national winner Angelica Lopez will compete in next year's edition.

This early, four countries have shown interest in hosting the 2024 edition of Miss International. When one of them gets the nod from the organization, the pageant will take place outside of Japan next year. Should that push through, it would create a new chapter in the pageant's history.

The 2023 Miss International coronation night will unfold at the Yoyogi Gymnasium No. 2 in Shibuya, Tokyo on Oct 26th. Reigning queen Jasmin Selberg of Germany will crown her successor at the culmination of the pageant rites. Stay tuned!