Since Carousel Productions started the continental divide of the ladies in the awarding of the National Costume Competition, I might as well use it as inspiration for my predictions because it reflects a fair assessment of the candidates regardless of the actual results showing a stronger preference for one region.
So without further ado, here are my Miss Earth Elements for each continent ranked accordingly:
Thailand tops Asia for me, followed by Philippines, India and Nepal
Venezuela is my #1 for the Americas, with Bolivia, Costa Rica and Brazil following.
South Africa is at the helm of the African continent. Nigeria, Tanzania and South Sudan complete the quartet.
Ukraine is my Miss Earth for Europe, trailed closely by Austria, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Spain
Mexico is my top spoiler, with Kazakhstan, Indonesia and Australia as three other possibilities.
In summary, my Top 16 would look like this (with the Top 3 in each continent plus my 4 discretionary choices filling up the remaining slots):
1) Thailand – Punika Kunsuntornrat
2) Philippines – Angelee delos Reyes
3) India – Sobhita Dhulipala
4) Venezuela – Alyz Heinrich
5) Bolivia – Maria Rene Carmona
6) Costa Rica – Mariela Aparicio
7) South Africa – Ashanti Mbanga
8) Nigeria – Marie Miller
9) Tanzania – Clara Noor
10) Ukraine – Anastasia Sukh
12) Austria – Katia Wagner
13) Bosnia & Herzegovina – Vera Krneta
13) Mexico – Cristal Silva
14) Brazil – Priscilla Martins
15) Spain – Cristina Martinez
16) Kazakhstan – Kumis Bazarbayeva
From the group of 16 above, I have my Elite Eight (8) – with the last slot upon my discretion- entering the semifinals, as follows:
Elite Eight in alphabetical order
1) Austria – Katia Wagner
2) Bolivia – Maria Rene Carmona
3) Brazil – Priscilla Martins
4) Philippines – Angelee delos Reyes
5) South Africa – Ashanti Mbanga
6) Thailand – Punika Kunsuntornrat
7) Ukraine – Anastasia Sukh
8) Venezuela – Alyz Heinrich
MY ELEMENTAL BEAUTIES FOR 2013
In elemental order now, these four beauties represent the best from each continent
I would be over the moon with a win by Punika Kunsuntornrat of Thailand. Aside from sending an outstanding delegate, the Land of Smiles deserves a Miss Earth crown. It’s a reward that I believe would sit well with most everyone. Other than her, I can also see Alyz Heinrich nailing Venezuela’s 2nd environmental victory. As for Ashanti Mbanga of South Africa and Anastasia Sukh of Ukraine, I want both ladies to make it to Top 4 in order to insure that all continents are represented in the elements. Apart from that, I think they deserve to be up there. A big win for South Africa will not jolt me. It will be a pleasant denouement as well.
In the end, my battlecry is: “PUNIKA, ALYZ OR ASHANTI FOR THE WIN! 
