MANILENA BEAUTY CROWNED MISS PHILIPPINES – EARTH 2017
By Noli A. Berioso Photos by Edmund Ong Chua
A twenty-six year old physicist and college instructor at the University of Santo Tomas was crowned Miss Philippines – Earth 2017 at the jampacked mall of Asia Arena last Saturday July 15. Karen Santos Ibasco representing the City of Manila bested 39 other beauties from all over the archipelago to earn the right to represent the country at the Miss Earth pageant this coming November here in Manila.
Host of the pageant Robbie Domingo asked her about the government slogan change is coming and what change she wants to see in terms of environmental policy in the country. She says that the whole world is experiencing climate change. She is grateful that the country signed the Paris Treaty and she hope that that there will be a carbon tax to be implemented so that way our country can invest in renewable energy to help the world to be a better place to live in, a greener environment for the entire humanity.
Other winners of elemental titles are Ms. Olongapo Kim De Guzman – Miss Air; Miss Caloocan Jessica Marasigan- Miss Water; Miss Villanueva, Misamais Oriental Nelliza Bautista – Miss Fire and Miss Lobo, Batangas Vanessa Mae Castillo – Miss Eco- Tourism. Rounding off the Top 10 semi finalists are Ms. Angeles Korin Frances Dizon; Jessica Rose McEwen – New Zealand; Rianne Charlotte Kalaw – Lipa City; Catherine Tabaniag – Panglao, Bohol and Anne Krishia Antonio – Porac, Pampanga.
This is also the first time in the history of Miss Philippines-Earth that the preliminary judging namely form and figure, beauty of face and poise and intelligence was seen live through social media account of Miss Philippines –Earth.
The coronation night was hosted by Kapamilya star Robbie Domingo with former Misses Philippines Earth Sandra Seifert and Catherine Untalan-Vital and Miss Earth 2014 Jaimee Herrel as anchors. The pageant was telecast last July 16 at Kapamilya Network Abs CBN . Miss Philippines-Earth 2017 is a presentation of Carousel Productions, Inc.