Miss Universe preliminary competition underway

The Miss Universe preliminary competition, which will decide the pageant's top 12, is underway.

Reigning queen Pia Wurtzbach is the host, along with actor Derek Ramsay.

Pia Wurtzbach joins Derek Ramsey as host of #MissUniverse 2016 prelims @gmanews pic.twitter.com/PMAHtbXrX4

— Bianca Rose Dabu (@biancadabu) January 26, 2017

Early crowd favorites are Brazil, Colombia, Curacao, Mexico, Sierra Leone, Thailand, USA, Venezuela and, unsurprisingly, the Philippines.

LOOK: The #MissUniverse prelims swimsuit competition has officially begun! @gmanews pic.twitter.com/5UFuFnETRV

— Bianca Rose Dabu (@biancadabu) January 26, 2017

WATCH: Miss Philippines Maxine Medina in the #MissUniverse 2016 prelims swimsuit competition @gmanews pic.twitter.com/dmyoAeCmkD

— Bianca Rose Dabu (@biancadabu) January 26, 2017

#MissUniverse Philippines, Maxine Medina, sure knows how to work a crowd.

Watch it live: https://t.co/k3LnQhcRaU pic.twitter.com/R4ejWl7RGV

— Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach (@MissUniverse) January 26, 2017

Some trivia we've learned at this event:

• The oldest candidates are from Costa Rica, Great Britain, Kenya, Peru, Romania, USA, and the US Virgin Islands, all of whom are 27.
• The youngest candidate is 18-year-old Yam Kaspers Anshel from Israel.
• The tallest candidate is Miss Jamaica Isabel Dalley, standing at 6'2".
• Miss USA Deshauna Barber made history as the first delegate crowned while actively serving in the military.
• Miss Venezuela Mariam Habach celebrated her 21st birthday by competing in the prelims!
• Shannon Harris is the first delegate from Barbados to walk the Miss Universe stage in 9 years.
• Miss Guam Muñeka Joy Cruz Taisipic has never worn high heels before!
• Miss India Roshmitha Harimurthy once walked on a bed of hot coals!
• Miss Japan Sari Nakazawa is a trained pianist, practicing every day for 15 years straight.
• Miss Malta Martha Fenech is proud to be her country's first delegate in 15 years.
• Miss Paraguay Andrea Melgarejo once saved the life of a choking child!
• Miss Switzerland Dijana Cvijetic got into pageants after being discovered through Facebook.
• Miss USA Deshauna Barber has a 4-foot long python for a pet!

After Maxine dazzled the crowd in her swimsuit, the evening gown competition was underway.

The #MissUniverse 2016 preliminary evening gown competition has officially begun! @gmanews pic.twitter.com/I9PqLxJfrG

— Bianca Rose Dabu (@biancadabu) January 26, 2017

WATCH: Maxine Medina wears a Rhett Eala gown in the #MissUniverse 2016 preliminary evening gown competition @gmanews pic.twitter.com/7rDjAdBOVF

— Bianca Rose Dabu (@biancadabu) January 26, 2017

And the prelims are done...but the National Costume competition is just starting!

Watch the Miss Universe pageant live on January 30 at 8 a.m. on GMA. — BM, GMA News