IF YOU HAD TO pick one candidate to win Miss Universe 2015, aside from the Philippines’ Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, whom we dearly love, who would it be?

That question was thrown at us as we prepare for pageant fans’ biggest day in the universe, the coronation of Miss Universe 2015 on Sunday night, December 20 in Las Vegas, USA (Monday morning, December 21 in Manila).

In a pool of gorgeous ladies vying for the crown, it’s hard to choose just one, and our praying for our own country’s representative makes it even harder. But it was just a hypothetical question, so I’m answering it here.

I’m torn among three roses: Australia, USA, and Brazil. But my blogger friend Mj already chose Australia, so I’m left with two: USA and Brazil.

And I chose Marthina Brandt of Brazil. It’s not that Olivia Jordan of the USA isn’t equally gorgeous, but I just hate that another American might be crowned in their own land, just three years after they crowned Olivia Culpo over Janine Tugonon in 2012, and fresh from the 2014 pageant, where USA’s Nia Sanchez won first runner-up to the reigning Miss Universe, Paulina Vega of Colombia, earlier this year.

Aside from our Pia, the beauty queen from Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil is the perfect candidate to win Miss Universe 2015.

Why Marthina

I checked out her performance in the preliminary competition on December 17 for the second time (the video is below), and man, she has what it takes to bag the crown! With one of the prettiest faces in this year’s batch, Marthina exudes confidence, fierceness, and just the right mix of sweetness in her eyes that makes her a queen. I wouldn’t be surprised if Brazil wins this time.

Like the Philippines, Brazil has only won two crowns in the history of Miss Universe. It’s nice to note that their first Miss Universe titleholder, Ieda Maria Vargas in 1963, also came from Rio Grande do Sul. Five years later, Martha Vasconcellos was crowned Miss Universe 1968.

They have many Miss Universe runners-up as well. Like the Philippines, Brazil has always been a country to beat in Miss Universe. Since 2011, they’ve always been part of the Top 5, except last year, when Melissa Gurgel placed only Top 15 while our Mary Jean Lastimosa placed in the Top 10.

Will this be Brazil’s year? Let’s see.