EBD's First Leaderboard: Miss World 2016 Top 20

The biggest international beauty competition on the planet is about to take place once again. Are you guys excited for the largest gathering of world-

The coveted Miss World crown. 

class beauties? I do. Most especially with the quality of delegates who will be competing for the elusive blue crown of Miss World. A total of 119 delegates of different nationalities across the globe are expected to converge in Washington D.C., Maryland, USA with the hope to become the successor of Mireia Lalaguna of Spain and be the next Ambassadress of beauty, grace and purpose. 

The glittering coronation finale of Miss World 2016 will be held inside Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, National Harbor in Washington D.C. on December 18. Who among the 119 delegates (you can view the complete list of candidates here) vying for the title will succeed in wearing the prestigious blue crown? Above is my Top 20 personal bets with Catriona Gray of the Philippines topping the Miss World 2016 leaderboard. 

Why I chose the Philippines on top? Patriotism aside with realities in

Miss World Philippines 2016 Catriona Gray

check, Gray has ticked all the boxes required to become the next Miss World. Gray has the stature and the regal beauty that could turn heads in the global stage. Being a celebrated, sough-after professional model across Asia, she has mastered the art of projecting in front of the camera. Her catwalk skills were polished by the beauty queen maker Jonas Gaffud of Aces and Queens who is also the mentor of Miss World 2013 Megan Young, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, Miss Globe 2015 Ann Colis and Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa.

Apart from physical beauty, Gray has an impressive English communication skills both in oral and penned formats. She can articulate her thoughts well and deliver her message with substance and conviction. She is also a multi-talented artist. She can write, host and sing with a commendable range of vocal techniques. Her musical abilities are professionalized with her Masters Certificate in Music Theory from Berklee College of Music in Boston. With the Talent, Modelling and Multi-Media fast track sub- competitions in Miss World, Gray has the edge. She will be an asset to the Miss World Organization. 

Miss World Philippines 2016 Introduction Video 

On top of all the essential qualities to become Miss World, Gray has an amazing BWAP (Beauty with a Purpose Project) through her Paraiso Bright Beginnings Project which we all know comprises the greater percentage to advance to the winning circle. The whole Philippines is also behind her back in her journey for the country's second Miss World crown and the universe's craziest pageant fans, that is the Filipinos, will support her every step of the way. 

Trailing behind Miss Philippines are the gorgeous Misses from Ukraine (Oleksandra Kucherenko), Mexico (Ana Girault), Dominican Republic (Yaritza Reyes), Venezuela (Diana Croce), and the home-country girl, the USA (Audra Mari). Even Ecuador (Mirka Cabrera), Malaysia (Tatiana Kumar) and Brazil (Beatrice Fontoura) can be Gray's fiercest rivals for the crown. 

This is my first hotpicks as well as my pre-arrival prediction list. The leaderboard can change as the competition progresses. Let us see in the next few days or weeks if Gray can maintain her lead. 

Stay tune for my next update!