The Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) organization recently announced the Top 5 winners of this year's swimsuit challenge.
They are Miss Agusan del Norte Jannarie Zarzoso, Miss Bohol Pauline Amelinckx, Miss Bulacan Princess Anne Marcos, Miss Capiz Shayne Glenmae Maquiran, and Miss Pampanga Angelique Manto.
Three ladies from the list are frontrunners, with Jannarie, Princess, and Angelique also being among Top 5 winners of the photoshoot challenge held early this month, along with Miss Eastern Samar Airissh Ramos and Miss Quezon Province Lesly Sim.
Note that winners in both challenges were based on fan votes.
There's only one challenge left for the 38 delegates before the coronation night on May 13, which is the Jojo Bragais Runaway Challenge with the voting period running until April 30.
MUPH national director Shamcey Supsup said in a previous report that they're not just looking for someone with a beautiful face and body this year.
"We are looking for someone who is strong, independent, and knows that her work starts the moment she wins. Carrying the Philippines in the Miss Universe stage is such a big responsibility. It has to be someone who is already strong in mind, body, and spirit. She should have a purpose bigger than her ambition," said the Miss Universe 2011 third runner-up.
The final night is said to be a celebrity-studded with the list of attendees including a couple of international performers like "American Idol" 11th season runner-up Jessica Sanchez and reigning Miss Universe R'Bonney Gabriel and the new Miss Universe Organization owner, Anne Jakrajutatip of Thailand.
Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi of South Africa is also confirmed to arrive as "guest host."
MUPH director of communications Voltaire Tayag revealed that Kapuso stars Alden Richards and Xian Lim will be this year's hosts. Reporting on the backstage happenings will be Tim Yap and Miss Globe 2021 Maureen Montagne.