WHO WILL WIN tonight’s Binibining Pilipinas 2018 coronation? That’s the question Filipino pageant fans can’t wait to answer. In today’s pageant world, where critics, propagandists, and paid personalities all have social media to push their own agendas, it’s hard to tell what’s sincere from what actually serves the country’s pride once our ladies compete internationally.

We can never discount pure blind fanaticism either — more often than not, it’s the loudest voice in the room.

While we stand on the sidelines doing what we usually do — rooting for the candidates we believe deserve it — we put this post together ahead of tonight’s grand coronation. It won’t change anything, but pageants are part of our lives as Filipinos whether we like it or not, and we enjoy talking about them.

Like many others, we’ve had limited interaction with this year’s candidates, so our opinions come from observation — photos, videos, and their media exposure. We stayed off the forums on purpose; they’re full of die-hard fans, and whoever has the biggest following ends up either bashed or praised the hardest.

Pageant experts have their own picks, based on scoring systems and what’s trending in pageants worldwide. We’re sticking to our own read, choosing who we believe are the best bets for the country — without discounting the others’ capabilities.

Here are our top choices to wear the crowns and sashes. Six of these ladies shall represent the Philippines in various competitions abroad:

1.) Karen Gallman

The very regal Karen Gallman for Binibining Pilipinas 2018

2.) Jehza Huelar

The returning Jehza Huelar is in to winning a crown at Binibining Pilipinas 2018 pageant

3.) Michelle Theresa Gumabao

Volleyball star Michelle Gumabao vies for a crown at the Binibining Pilipinas 2018. Will she bag one?

4.) Samantha Mae Bernardo

Samantha Mae Bernardo is your Binibini 14.

5.) Catriona Elisa Gray

Catriona Gray for Binibining Pilipinas 2018

6.) Ma. Andrea ‘Aya’ Abisamis

Aya Abisamis for Binibining Pilipinas 2018

7.) Patrizia Mariah Garcia

One of the best bets to win the crown is Patrizia Mariah Garcia

8.) Muriel Orais

Pretty face Muriel Orais is one of our ultimate bets to win a crown at Binibining Pilipinas 2018.

There you go, folks — six of these eight, Karen Gallman, Aya Abisamis, Jehza Huelar, Catriona Gray, Samantha Mae Bernardo, Michelle Theresa Gumabao, Patrizia Mariah Garcia, and Muriel Orais, are who we expect to win tonight.

Our pick to win Miss Universe Philippines, though, is none other than the complete package, Catriona Gray, who we’ve been rooting for since her Miss World 2016 bid for the Philippines. More updates later tonight.