Will Miss Universe Philippines Maxine Medina inherit Pia Wurtzbach’s crown?

There is no doubt about it. Miss Universe Philippines Maxine Medina (pictured) is an outstanding beauty with brains to match her charm, opening the possibility that she might receive the crown from Pia Wutrzback on Jan. 30 when the Miss Universe beauty pageant is held at the Mall of Asia arena in Pasay City. (Photo: Bb. Pilipinas(Official)/ Facebook)

MANILA –There is no doubt about it. Miss Universe Philippines Maxine Medina is an outstanding beauty with brains to match her charm, opening the possibility that she might receive the crown from Pia Wutrzback on Jan. 30 when the Miss Universe beauty pageant is held at the Mall of Asia arena in Pasay City.

A few days ago, well-known psychic Madam Venus, who is best remembered for correctly predicting that former Davao mayor Rodrigo Duterte would be elected president of the Philippines two weeks before the May election, declared that Medina has a 90 percent to 95 percent chance of winning the most prestigious beauty title after Wurtzbach.

”She’s a bright girl with a strong personality and sincerity which touches the heart, aside from being a lovely person,” said Madam Venus.

Very recently, Medina became the first Asian cover girl of the XPEDITION Middle East magazine, an international luxury travel magazine that caters to the high society of Dubai, expatriates and 12,000 paid subscribers of United Arab Emirates in the Middle East.

EXPEDITION, founded by Filipino publisher and editor-in chief Josh Mangila, paid a glowing tribute to Medina who was described as highly intelligent yet humble and lovable.

Mangila, who has been awarded by the European Tourism as the Most Influential Travel Journalist of 2015, described the 2016 Miss Universe Philippines as “the epitome of an empowered woman — despite the pressure and challenges of being a beauty queen and being a role model to many girls all over the Philippines and the world, she still handles herself with grace and elegance, backed with her classy and authentic oriental charm — a true representation of luxury Philippines”.

Aside from hoping to become the next Miss Universe, Medina wants to promote tourism in the Philippines, Mangila said.

“Being able to promote and represent the country in the global arena is a privilege to showcase what the Philippines has to offer. I want everyone to know how rich the Filipino culture is. To be able to promote the Philippines gives me the opportunity to show the beauty of our country and our people,” she told Mangila.

“I would like to tell everyone about our unique Filipino values. To be raised and born as a Filipina is something that I will always be proud of and I will never trade places with anyone because growing up in my own country has taught me to be strong, responsible and God-loving individual.”

Aside from Medina’s editorial feature, the magazine also showcased the creations of internationally renowned Filipino designers, such as Frederick Peralta, Francis Libiran, Albert Andrada, Edwin Tan, Pepsi Herrera and Ivarlusi Aserol.

Mangila said the magazine’s fourth issue “is also a tribute to my homeland the Philippines, as we featured the other side of the Philippines — the luxury side of the island. I had a pleasure to work with a great team led by ace photographer Raymond Saldana and his team. We shot the Maxine’s pictorial and our editorial at one of the newest luxury property in the heart of the city, Nobu Hotel.”