With only a few days to go to the Miss Universe 2008 finals, beauty connoisseurs around the world are keenly watching the bookmakers' odds on who are the current favorites for the title. Though not conclusive, it is often a good gauge on who will most likely land in the top 10.

It is unfortunate that the preliminaries aren't televised in our neck of the woods otherwise I (as well as thousands of other Pinoys) would have my own personal picks to divulge here. But thanks to the internet, I found a list of the the current top favorites for the Miss Universe 2008 crown. It is a collection of "the usual suspects", composed of representatives from countries who have prominently figured in the past editions of the Miss Universe, and every other international beauty contest for that matter - Venezuela, Puerto Rico and other South American states, together with India. Here is the complete list of favorites based on my internet sleuthing.

Update: Miss Venezuela wins Miss Universe 2008; read about it here.

The Miss Universe 2008 Top Ten Favorites

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Miss Venezuela, Miss Puerto Rico, Miss Mexico and Miss India

Miss Colombia, Miss Czech Republic, Miss Panama, Miss USA

Miss South Africa and Miss Dominican Republic
And here are some other favorites who didn't make it to the bookmakers' top ten:

Miss Belgium, Miss Kosovo, Miss Albania, Miss Ireland

Miss Greece, Miss Canada, Miss Finland, Miss United Kingdom

A few observations here:

Besides Miss India, there is no other Asian candidate in the top favorites. A pity. That should be expected, according to my mom, since last years's winner is from Asia. What? Does it work that way? I hope not.
It is notable how poses have changed in recent years. Whereas before when candidates would just smile and wave to the cameras, now they play to the lenses in some of the most provocative ways. This, I think, is to the disadvantage of Asian candidates who are generally reserved and conservative.
From among those pictures above, my favorites are Misses Belgium, Albania and Finland. I hope one of them makes it even just to the top five. As for Miss Venezuela? If this was a contest for Playmate of the Year, I would definitely pick her! Ha ha ha.
Rumors are rife about the rampant use of cosmetic surgery especially among the South American candidates. So that's why they've been winning!
What about Miss Philippines? Well, she's not in the top faves, not even in the top 20. Though I find her very attractive, it looks like the quiet and demure type doesn't sell anymore. He he.

I also found two videos of the presentation night on YouTube. However, they're in Vietnamese (I think) so just mute the sound if you want to.

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