Miss Universe Singapore 2016 is on its way to the finale which is slated to be held on 16th October 2016 at Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel. There are a total of 15 finalists competing for the coveted title.

The winner will receive a $10,000 cash prize, $24,000 of beauty and wellness services from Beaute Hub, up to $20,000 of dental aesthetic services from Orchard Scotts Dental and $9,000 of training sessions from Bodyburn Fitness Singapore. She will also receive a special coverage in Singapore Press Holding's stable of titles including print, radio and magazines.

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For the first time Singapore Press Holdings' The New Paper is co-organising the beauty pageant. "The competition is not just about picking the most beautiful contestant, but about finding someone who can represent the country with confidence and pride. With this exciting crop of finalists, I am sure we will find the right ambassador to represent Singapore," says the deputy editor of The New Paper Mr Murali Subramaniam.

The contestants this year are not just good looking, but are also well educated – perfect combo of Beauty with Brains. 27 years old Patricia Eng is the oldest in the batch. Patricia who is an online entrepreneur designs and sells her own line of jewellery online. "My family and friends had encouraged me to join previously, but I always thought I was not ready. My mother said that I'm of age and this is the last time I could try, so I decided to go for it," says Eng.

Another contestant, 23 years old Nikki Tay is a trainee lawyer. Nikki says that she has had aspirations of winning the Miss Universe Singapore contest even before she had dreams of becoming a lawyer in Primary 6. "When I set my sights on something, I won't let it go. Joining this is like fulfilling a promise to myself," she says. Tay considers Miss Singapore Universe 2002 Nuraliza Osman also a lawyer) as her role model and says, "I wanted to join this pageant primarily because I wanted to eliminate certain stereotypes of beauty pageants."

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25 years old Hazel Tay, another contestant this year, is a data analyst by profession. She has a master's degree in financial mathematics from the University of Chicago.

So this year the competition is tough, as it is not just about beauty... but beauty with brains!!