Miss Puerto Rico Universe Mayra Matos lands on top of "Pre-Pageant Favorites"

Last Monday, I gave you the early favorites for Miss Universe 2009 from each continent and now I have finally come up with my final "pre-pageant favorites" list for Miss Universe 2009 beauty pageant as the candidates start arriving today, August 1, 2009 in Nassau, Bahamas.

On top of my list is Miss Puerto Rico Mayra Matos Pérez (photos) who instantly become a huge favorite for Miss Universe 2009 when she was crowned Miss Puerto Rico Universe in October of 2008.

Mayra, who will turn 21 years old 5 days after the Miss U finals on August 23, was Miss Teen International 2006.

Prior to being elected as Puerto Rico's official rep to the Miss Universe 2009 pageant, Mayra was a fashion model for famous designers in her country and have traveled other countries for modeling stints.

They say, she's another Zuleyka Rivera (Miss Universe 2006 from Puerto Rico).

Yes, Zuleyka is sexier than Mayra but Mayra is more beautiful than Zuleyka.

"Mayra Matos" is a short name which is so easy to remember just like former Miss Universe titlists: "Gloria Diaz", "Amparo Muñoz", "Lupita Jones", "Sushmita Sen", "Chelsi Smith", "Brook Lee", "Lara Dutta", "Amelia Vega" and "Riyo Mori". Will she be added to the list?

Last year, Dayana Mendoza from Venezuela was on top of Mykiru's pre-pageant favorites and she ended up winning the title.

We'll see if Mayra Matos will live up to expectations and sustain that pre-pageant dominance once she arrives in the Bahamas anytime soon.

Next up on my pre-pageant favorites list are Miss Mexico Karla Carillo and Miss Dominican Republic Ada Aimee de la Cruz.

There's high hope for Miss Mexico who is bent on giving her country at least its 6th consecutive semi-finals placement in Miss Universe. Well, she could do it and bring back the glory of Mexico, who deserved higher placement on last year's finals.

Miss Dominican Republic is becoming the most-hyped candidate this year after being on top of most "frontrunners list".

Not surprising though because back in Miss World 2007, she was a Top 16 semifinalist and Beach Beauty winner.

Miss Philippines Pamela Bianca Manalo is surprisingly 7th on my list, 2nd in Asia after Miss Vietnam.

Her initial photos don't do her good, but I've heard she is going to pull a surprise and bombs Bahamas with her regal Asian looks.

I'm now so excited to see the lovely candidates in action.

Take a look at my Top 30 Pre-Pageant Favorites for Miss Universe 2009:

1. Puerto Rico, Mayra Matos Perez
2. Mexico, Karla Carrillo
3. Dominican Republic, Ada de la Cruz
4. Venezuela, Stefanía Fernández
5. Australia, Rachael Finch
6. Vietnam, Võ Hoàng Yến
7. Philippines, Pamela Bianca Manalo
8. Colombia, Michelle Rouillard
9. USA, Kristen Dalton
10. Japan, Emiri Miyasaka
11. Indonesia, Zivanna Letisha Siregar
12. Czech Republic, Iveta Lutovská
13. Hungary, Zsuzsa Budai
14. Brazil, Larissa Costa
15. South Africa, Tatum Keshwar
16. Russia, Sofia Rudieva
17. Guatemala, Lourdes Figueroa
18. Albania, Hasna Xhukuci
19. Slovak Republic, Denisa Mendrejová
20. Turkey, Senem Kuyucuoğlu
21. Netherlands, Avalon-Chanel Weyzig
22. Lebanon, Martine Andraos
23. Iceland, Ingibjörg Egilsdóttir
24. Belgium, Zeynep Sever
25. India, Ekta Choudhry
26. Canada, Mariana Valente
27. Costa Rica, Jessica Umaña
28. Greece, Viviana Kampanile
29. Thailand, Chutima Durongdej
30. Nicaragua, Indiana Sánchez

For sure you have your own list. Share it to us and post them down below.

Mykiru's "annual" Fun Poll starts in 5 days and Mykiru's 1st list of favorites will be unveiled soon after.