As you can read from the title, it's PAGEANT TIMEE~ I've always been triggered everytime I have to talk about pageant. It's like talking about skin care but in the "more excited" mode. LOL.
Usually, when talking about pageant, I write every word in English so that everyone in the corner of the world can read. LMAO
Okay, let's talk about the winners of the previous year. Last year, Indonesia earned its second Major crown through Jawa Barat's Kevin Lilliana in the Miss International pageant. It was such a huge step for Indonesian pageantry to earn two major crowns in two years (2016 Indonesia won the Miss Grand International pageant). It is such a big deal for us Indonesian to win such things. It means that Indonesian women are now acknowledged as one of the best in the entire world (okay I over exaggerated that one. LOL). The rest of the winners are also making a great mark in their respective Pageant. Dea Rizkita, for example, has succeeded to land herself in top 10 and won the Best National Costume Award in the Miss Grand International 2017. Karina Nadila also landed in the 14th rank in the Miss Supranational 2017. Not to mention Bunga Jelitha, she might not win any awards nor earned a spot in the semifinal round of the Miss Universe pageant, but her effort and her journey to the pageant is worth the standing applause.
I still remember last year I said "it's one of the best years in the history of Puteri Indonesia. Look at all those contestants! They are gorgeus!" and I hesitated to say the same this year. I honestly want to say the same like last year but I see something different from last year's. Each contestant of this year's Puteri Indonesia is a piece of puzzle. What does it means? it means that no one is more supreme than the other. There is always something missing in one contestant and the missing piece exists in the other contestant. There is no such thing as a 'clear winner'.
Last year I remember to have all the top 4 in my favourite list, and I guessed the right winner! This year? I don't know. It is more difficult than I thought. Still, I'll try my best to find out who is the possible winner! With that said, let's jump right into the list!
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| Jawa Tengah - Kidung Paramadita |
Puteri Indonesia 2018
Miss Universe Indonesia
Jawa Tengah - Kidung Paramadita
This girl is the closest--in my opinion to the recent 'standard' the Miss Universe is looking for. She is sweet, kind, and fierce at the same time. Her facial feature is very classic Javanese woman (in my opinion) which will be her strong point in the Miss Universe pageant.
Unfortunately, I cannot see her being a 'magnet'. The last three Miss Universe-IMG era winners are all a magnet that their presence is so difficult to be ignored. They have the charm--something I haven't seen yet in Kidung's presence.
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| DKI Jakarta 6 - Karina Basrewan |
Puteri Indonesia Lingkungan 2018
Miss International Indonesia
DKI Jakarta 6 - Karina Fariza Basrewan
This girl is MY PERSONAL FAVOURITE !! She is smart, authentic, fierce and strong. From so many occasions I saw, she is such a beauty with a heart. She is originally so humble, nice and most importantly she is REAL. You know sometimes a typical pageant girl is nice in front of the camera but acting the opposite off-camera. I find this girl so nice and real.
Question: Why Miss International?
I personally wanted her to be our Miss Universe Indonesia but in some ways I see her fits the Miss International organization. As I told you just now, her beauty, authenticity and her attitude is something the Miss International Org. is looking for. Plus, the Miss International Organization never like a representative that is looking the same way like its predecessor. Karina is so contrasting with Kevin, which is a good point to break the Miss International 'curse'
(There are sayings that if a country wins Miss International, the next year's rep will fail, but I guess it's because a country sends almost the same type with their winning girl, hoping to create a back-to-back win)
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| Papua - Yuli Nella |
Puteri Indonesia Pariwisata 2018
Miss Supranational Indonesia
Papua - Yuli Nella
A black girl from eastern Indonesia to represent Indonesia in the international pageant?
BIG YES! YES! YES!
There are already so many types of girls repping Indonesia in Major pageants (MU, MW, MI, ME, MS, and MGI) except the black girl. Indonesian beauty is so diversed that I can say the whole universe is in Indonesia. I think it is time to introduce another type of beauty to the world.
Yuli is so beautiful. She is energetic, passionate, and just too sweet to be forgotten. I think this type of girl fits the Miss Supranational pageant. I believe if she really is going to Miss Supranational, she will at least walk with the top 5 title. How about winning? POSSIBLE, but she still has a big shoe to fill.
TOP 5
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| DKI Jakarta 4 - Jesslyn |
DKI Jakarta 4 - Jesslyn Limm
Another strong contender. She is, for me, a type of either Miss Universe or Miss Supranational. She has stood out from the beginning of the quarantine 'til the present day. She is both a model and a TV host, things you can't deny are an excellent start to win the crown.
One thing I feel weird about her is that her presence is somehow too extra. She is confident--which is so good but I just feel that she is too extra. Nonetheless, she is still one of the frontrunners to grab the grand title.
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| D. I. Yogyakarta - Dilla Fadiela |
Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta - Dilla Fadiela
Maria Harfanti, is that you? No, she is Dilla Fadiela. At glance, she really is looking like Maria Harfanti, Miss Indonesia 2015. Netizens hope that her resemblance with Maria Harfanti leads her to the same fate with Maria, being the winner of the national pageant. However, don't let her beautiful face just a beautiful face. She is a fighter.
Before joining Puteri Indonesia, Dilla joined the Artikawhulandary beauty camp. She is one of the well-prepared girls in the competition. It makes her such a strong contender to bag one of the title in Puteri Indonesia 2018.
TOP 11
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| Sulawesi Tengah Sinar Wulandary |
Sulawesi Tengah - Sinar Wulandary
Sinar, has been robbing public's attention. For some reason, her facial feature is resembled with Chalita Suansane - Miss Universe Thailand 2016. Just like a de ja vu, her background was also similar with Chalita's. She used to be a not-so-wealthy girl and slowly rise and shine, just like her name. I believe this could be her strong aspect to win a spot in the top 11. I actually believe she will win, but somehow I think there will be no organization would send a girl that looks like someone in the past. Sinar's resemblance with Chalita Suansane, I believe, is the only problem to hold her away from going to Miss Universe.
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| Jawa Barat Tria Devita |
Jawa Barat - Tria Devita
A big hit for Jawa Barat. This year's theme for Puteri Indonesia is somehow related to Jawa Barat. Last year, a girl from Jawa Barat won an International crown. I believe Tria's job is one of the most difficult compared to any other contestants.
Fortunately, Tria has shown the world that all those things does not 'hit' her. She did amazingly well, she also handled every single day with grace, poise and she really enjoys the quarantine.
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| Sumatera Selatan Berliana Permatasari |
Sumatera Selatan - Berliana Permatasari
Girl, she is the definition of beauty! She is gorgeus, nice, she can also be fierce. The only thing I don't like is her makeup. Sometimes, her makeup is way too heavy. She looks older than she should. I believe with another training in makeup, she is just ready to rule the world!
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| Maluku Leinda Melissa |
Maluku - Leinda Melissa Wattimena
Another exotic girl? why not? She is such a gem, so precious. The problem about her is, she is too raw. She needs several more polishes before really ready for the international event, but hey? everything is about process, right?
One more note for her, she really need to be more 'magnetic'. The beauty, she already possessed is not enough. She needs to be unforgettable, which she has not realized the importance of it yet.
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| Sumatera Barat Resti Asda |
Sumatera Barat - Resti Asda
Girls from Sumatera Barat are acknowledged for its exotical beauty. Not only physically beautiful, West Sumatran girls are also strong and smart. This can be proved by Sumatera Barat's representative Resti Asda. She is not just beautiful, but also smart, elegant and most importantly killing every moment.
At first, she was not my favourite. but as the time marches she is growing better and better that she deserves an acknowledgement.
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| Sumatera Utara Sri Bunga Hambali |
Sumatera Utara - Sri Bunga Hambali
As the first contestant to be elected, she has more time to be prepared than any other girls in the competition. Sri Bunga apparently did not waste the chance. She transformed amazingly since she was first elected Puteri Indonesia Sumatera Utara.
If she stays as consistent as this, it is no suprise that she will bag one of the crowns of Puteri Indonesia 2018.
Other possible placement
Aceh - Nandiya Deva Puspa Dewi
Sulawesi Utara - Stevany Carolin
Banten - Vania Herlambang
NTT - Melati Tabita Thei
Regardless of every comments I addressed above, I truly appreciate every girl's effort for winning the title. No matter how, you are the best version of yourself.
Don't forget to read my final thought on March 9th 2018 !!
Cheers
