The candidates likewise paraded Freego denims and Gibi shoes.
The most applauded number was executed by Candidate No. 15 Jennifer Precious Gaston who did an original ballet medley.
A member of the Sarraga clan, Precious is natural in her grace, she being an in-house ballet instructor at Grace and Pointes for several years now.
Next on my list is the eye-popping Candidate No. 10 Joanne Galenzoga who gyrated her way into belly dancing.
And then there was Candidate No. 14 Grace Mortola whose revealing outfit and facial paintings complemented her ethnic dance score.
Of course, there was red-themed Candidate No. 13 Rexza Tagaloguin whose balancing-on-a-stool act underscored her inspiring transformation from an awkward shy person during the go-see days to the now very elegant beautiful look on the ramp.
Most surprising talent was Candidate No. 4 Lovely Jane Estampa.
Jane, reigning Miss Patag and considered the baby among the 15 candidates because of her petiteness, was reprimanded earlier in the day during the final rehearsal at City Tourism Hall because she was "too mahinhin."
Gone were the "mahinhin" moments when she delivered the most-heartbreaking monologue during the tilt where she played the role of an orphan whose mom was killed by her own father.
She was later made crowned as Miss SM Kagay-an 2008.
Being a chinita, Candidate No. 5 Hazel Mari Go is au natural as Kim when she sang I'd Give My Life for You, culled from Miss Saigon.
Candidate No. 1 Sybil Sarte had an on-the-spot painting using her own body as brush.
Candidate No. 2 Bianca May dela Cruz had a declamation.
Candidate No. 3 Joannarica Nambatac had a dance medley (she's a natural dancer).
Candidate No. 6 Dominique Marie Manuta had hatched from her Miss Teen Philippines days to a grown woman via her rendition of Madonna's fever.
Candidate No. 7 Lasy Kwong played the banduria while Candidate No. 8 Shayne Muit sang Kailan.
Candidate No. 9 Girlie Armilla danced the hula, Candidate NO. 11 Gladdys Labis did an interpretative dance to the tune of Mulan's Reflection and Candidate No. 12 Joy Carpentero dedicated Celine Dion's Dance With My Father to her own dad. (With reports from Cong Corrales)
