Miss Philippines, Carlene Aguilar, will win the crown of Miss World, according to a leading United States-based online betting, gambling and gaming company.

Sportsbook.com has released odds on who will win the 55th Miss World competition which will be held live from China on Dec. 9.

The early oddsmakers’ favorites are Miss Philippines, and Miss Italy, Sofia Bruscoli. Both women stand at 12-1 odds followed by Miss Canada, Ramona Rina Amiri, and Miss England, Hamassa Kohistani, both with 15-1 odds to capture the crown.

Lisette Diaz, Miss USA, is a 50-1 long shot as she attempts to bring the Miss World crown to the U.S. for the first time since 1990 when Gina Marie Tolleson won the title. The only other time a U.S. contestant won the Miss World title was in 1973.

Of the favorites, only England can claim to have previous winners while Italy, Philippines and Canada all seek their first Miss World crown.

A win for Miss Canada would be a historic achievement given that Toronto’s Natalie Glebova was crowned Miss Universe on May 30 of this year.

“The Miss World contest is in its 55th year and continues to be one of the most prestigious and watched television programs around the world,” says Alex Czajkowski, marketing director of Sportsbook.com.

“Everybody loves to bet and these pageants are a real attraction. They are exciting and unpredictable; people really get drawn in by their national ties.”

Other favorites for the crown include the representatives from Norway (18-1), Costa Rica (22-1), Puerto Rico (22-1) and Mexico (25-1).

The contestant from the American Virgin Islands is listed at 60-1. Last year’s winner was from Peru and this year’s representative from the South American country could be in the mix as well at 30-1 odds.

The following is the pageant’s description and interview with Aguilar, 23, in the Miss World website:

“Carlene Aguilar was born in Mandaluyong located in the heart of Metro Manila and raised in Quezon City, the most populated city in the country. The Philippines is an archipelago made up of 7,100 islands, hence the country has been known as The Pearl of the Orient. Carlene has a BA in art studies. Last year, she was contracted by a TV Station in Hong Kong to do some commercials, while there she was asked to play the role of a pig fairy in one of their series and had to have prosthetics taped to her face to really look like a little pig. It was all a great experience. Her ambition is to be a successful woman in every aspect of her life. Her hobbies are watching movies, singing, dancing, playing badminton, volleyball, swimming and relaxing by listening to new age music. Her favorite food is chocolate.”

How would you describe yourself in three words?

Compassionate, driven, involved.

Do you have a special or unusual talent? (What is it?)

Singing is a universal language and I can sing from the heart, it lifts the spirit and thus it’s understood. That makes it special.

Where would you most like to visit in the world and why?

I would like to visit Vatican City in Rome, especially St Peter’s Basilica. As an art studies major and a person who truly loves the arts, it will be a great experience for me to be there. It’s a very interesting place because it is said to be the most magnificent church and you feel your entering past civilization like the Renaissance period which bore the fruits of many talents like Michelangelo, Bernini and others.

What is the best thing about your country?

Aside from the pristine beaches and captivating tourist spots, my country has its people. Filipinos are known to be survivors and resilient, we don’t lose hope and we never give up with all the problems we are experiencing. Filipinos are a very happy people and have a ready smile for everyone. We let other people who visit our country feel at home.

What is your favorite...

Film: “Patch Adams.”

Music: Rhythm and Blues.

Singer/band: Usher.

Book: “Tuesdays with Morrie” by Mitch Albom.

If you were granted one wish what would it be?

It is to win Miss World 2005, it will be the first for my country. I want to show the whole world what my country is all about and want to show other people that we can be one despite our differences.

If you were stuck on a desert island with one other person (famous or not) whom would you choose?

I would choose Mitch Albom the author of my favorite book “Tuesdays with Morrie” because I believe he’s a great man. I know in such a devastation time I could learn a lot from his inspirational worlds that will uplift my spirits and in doing so others.

What is your message to all the other Miss World contestants?

I’m so happy and excited to be there with a hundred plus beautiful, intelligent, talented and accomplished women form around the world, proving that there is unity in diversity and that we’re all human beings who experience the same things in life. Also we’re all here to prove to the whole world that women have accomplished a lot today. And thus deserve the same respect as men who have accomplished a lot and, we, women can learn a lot form the men as men can learn a lot from women.

You’re judging the final five contestants, which question would you ask the finalists?

If you could choose one value that you could instill in people of all nations, what would that value be and why?