Reigning Miss Supermodel Worldwide Alexandra Mae Rosales. Image: Philippine Daily Inquirer/ARMIN P. ADINA
MANILA, Philippines—Alexandra Mae Rosales gave the Philippines its first Miss Supermodel Worldwide victory in India in October last year, and now the country is starting its search for the woman who could possibly score a back-to-back this year.
The Miss Supermodel Philippines contest conducted its final screening of applicants on Jan. 27 at One Shangri-la Place in Mandaluyong City, where the official candidates were also introduced. After a series of screenings conducted this month, the competition chose 15 qualified aspirants.
With such a tough task ahead of them—to secure a second straight victory for the Philippines in the Miss Supermodel Worldwide contest—the candidates will be made to undergo challenges to help determine who is worthy to follow Rosales’ footsteps.
May Evelyn Maghirang, the contest’s national director, told the Inquirer that they would pattern the Philippine competition after the international tilt in India where Rosales won.
“We will have challenges, such as photoshoot. There will be four challenges in total, and we will hold them in our studio,” Maghirang said.
She said what they noticed in Rosales’ overseas competition was how tough the training in India was. “Of course, we will look for someone who can represent the Philippines, who can handle all the pressure,” she said.
“I hope we can choose someone who will be a strong follow-up for Alexandra. I hope we get the title again,” Maghirang continued.
She said the final selection will be conducted on Feb. 18 in a venue that is yet to be disclosed. The organization will already determine who the winners will be during that event, but they will be announced on Feb. 25.
Miss Supermodel Philippines finalists. Image: Philippine Daily Inquirer/ARMIN P. ADINA
The national organization is closely collaborating with the national directors handling the competitions in Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates. Friday night’s screening also included an aspirant who applied for the national leg in Japan.
The 2023 Miss Supermodel Worldwide will again be held in India this year. After moving the 2022 competition to October, it will return to its usual schedule in April. Maghirang said that despite having a truncated reign, Rosales’ contract with the international organizers is for two years. /ra