In photos: Miss World Philippines 2014 press presentation

By Kai Magsanoc for Yahoo Southeast Asia

Miss World Philippines held the press presentation of their official candidates for 2014 on September 17 at Eclipse Bar in Solaire Resort and Casino.

Twenty-one ladies were announced as candidates right after the September 9 and 10 screenings at Raven Manila in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. As of September 17, the official number of candidates was 26. Some who were in the first 21 were no longer in the list of final, official candidates, including Roxanne Cabanero.

"This year's batch of candidates all contain or have the same attributes that we're always looking for: smart, charming, pretty," said Cory Quirino, the pageant's national director. "But I think this year, we have an extra adjective to add: sexy!" (laughs)

"There's a more 'woman' appeal this year," she added. "Whereas before we had a girly, sweet presence in the pageant, this year we have a lot more of womanly grace and beauty."

2014 also sees the first time that a woman with hearing impairment, Christine Balaguer, is allowed in the pageant. "She's a member of the Dragonboat Team! So her spirit of competitiveness is very strong," Quirino said. "At the same time, you can see that her spirit is strong, and she has a winning smile."

The Miss World Philippines 2014 coronation night will be on October 12 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Yahoo Philippines is the official online partner of Miss World Philippines 2014.

Photos by Jory Rivera of OPMB Worldwide

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