MJ Lastimosa among Miss Universe favorites, says pageant enthusiast site

Will Philippines bet Mary Jean "MJ" Lastimosa be the one to finally bring back the crown, the first for the country since 1973's Margie Moran? 

 

She just may, if the pageant enthusiast site MsUniversePageant Hotspot is any indication.

 

MUPH ranked Lastimosa as a fourth runner up in their Early Famous Favorites list, emphasizing that she is “the strongest in Asia so far” and will “give a good fight against the Latinas.”

 

“She’s the oh-she-made-it-oh-no-she-didn’t-make-it kind of girl and we want to let you know that it’s a compliment,” MUPH wrote of her. “Her make-or-break vibe makes her pretty engrossing honestly. Just like Janine Tugonon, she puts us in a doubt first, then lures us for a second look and finally impresses us. Her body is a red-hot chili pepper! Her presence is impactful. She keeps improving. She keeps experimenting looks. She’s determined and we know she will never give up. She got Venus Raj’s strength of character and Janine Tugonon’s queenly aura.”

 

They added, “We’re still not seeing the crown on her head as of this time being, but she’s one of the strongest girls that might clinch the crown.”

 

Lastimosa also ranked second on the site's 2014 Pre-final Favorites list. 

 

“At first we thought that it was all because of her gazillion supporters that made her a sensation, but she really is defining the word 'hype' and she’s worth every single letter of it. She’s very queenly and sweet at the same time: CLASSY. No wonder why her supporters have been going gaga over her and even have been having all her photos flooding all over the net. She was MIA upon arrival, but came out strong later on and proved herself to be the one to beat. If she doesn’t place, we don’t know who will,” MUPH wrote of her.

 

She was also noted as an Asian standout, with MUPH saying, “[She] looks better in person (and younger too). She has a magnetic personality and is very approachable. Her smile will melt your heart. She’s always surrounded with happy people.” 

 

And Lastimosa also placed in the Top 20 Best Swimsuit Profiles. “Sexy, sultry, yet sophisticated. This girl is a pro in front of the camera.” 

 

Lastimosa is 26-year-old actress, model, and businesswoman. She grew up in a religious household in North Cotabato and was named PETA's 2014 Sexiest Vegetarian Celebrity. She also competed in the Binibing Pilipinas pageant in 2011 and 2012. — Vida Cruz/JST, GMA News