..the beauty for a cause

Miss Philippines-Earth shines spotlight on advocacy-driven candidates

By MAUREEN MARIE BELMONTE

May 28, 2011

Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines – The Ms. Philippines-Earth 2011 has unveiled its 10 "Beauties for a Cause" contestants who will all compete for the crown and the chance to represent the country at the  Miss Earth beauty pageant. The selected candidates, who bested 40 others, were presented to the media on May 27 at the 7th High Club, Fort Bonifacio Global City.




"We put a lot [of emphasis] on environmental awareness, or at least the willingness of the candidates to learn more about the environment," Miss Earth Foundation Executive Director Cathy Untalan explained.

"This year, the Miss Philippines-Earth beauty pageant aligns itself with United Nations International Year of the Forests. Together with the Haribon Foundation, the candidates will take part in making the Philippines a greener nation as they go around communities to promote planting tress that are native to our country," said Untalan, who is also the 2006 Miss Earth-Water titleholder.

More than their good looks, though, are the contestants knowledge and dedication to the cause promoted by the pageant.

Reigning Lakambini ng Bulacan, 18-year-old University of Santo Tomas Nursing student Mary Denisse Toribio, shared, “If given a chance to win the crown, I would like to focus on ecological solid waste management like recycling and reducing waste.” Asked how her course relates to environmental conservation, Toribio said, “Being a nurse, you learn to care for other people and in turn for the environment.”

UP Diliman Tourism graduate and Makati City representative Tarhata Rico, 22, shared what being in the competition means to her. “Being a beauty queen is one of my dreams and what better way to do it [than by] being a beauty queen [who is] also able to inspire people to do something big for society. And I think it’s perfect because it’s beauty with a cause.”

With the opportunity to vie for the Ms. Philippines-Earth title, Rico said, “My advocacy is about green building. It’s about building homes and infrastructures that are born from environment-friendly resources itself.

Because I’m from Makati and Makati is a business district and it’s full of buildings, you know how much it contributes... like buildings account for 30% of Carbon Dioxide emissions worldwide, building ‘green buildings’ can really be a big difference.”

Believing that all the other contenders are as stunning as her, Rico underscored her advantage over the others, “What I can give the organization is my commitment and sincerity because I am ready to work and I am ready with responsibilities [that will be given to me.]”

The press presentation started with the ladies strutting the catwalk in their formal gowns followed by their parade in casual wear. Later on, the beauties showed their sharp wits, as host and Ms. Philippines-Earth 2009 Sandra Siefert picked their brains for a short Question and Answer portion.

Before the night ended, Muriel Orais, representing Cebu City was awarded Ms. Photogenic, taking home P10,000 in cash and one-year supply of Ever Bilena cosmetics.

For 11 years now, the Miss Philippines-Earth beauty pageant annually searches for ladies who not only possess the beauty of face and figure but also ones who could be the Ambassadors of the Environment. The pageant has also been a springboard for several familiar names in the showbiz industry like actress Carlene Aguilar, Kapamilya showbiz reporter Ginger Conejero, Ms. Universe 2010 4th runner up Venus Raj and Ms. Earth 2008 winner Karla Paula Henry.

“The winners of the pageant go around communities to hold seminars to heighten the awareness of the public and to encourage them to an eco-friendly lifestyle,” as indicated on Ms. Philippines-Earth’s website.

Moreover, they will be asked to engage in various activities like tree planting and coastal clean ups, aimed to gradually help improve the environment.

The Miss Philippines-Earth coronation night will be staged in Puerto Princesa, which is now branded as "the city in a forest” by the city government's new campaign. It will be held on June 5, 2011 at the Puerto Princesa City Coliseum and will be televised by ABS-CBN, with a later broadcast date on The Filipino Channel (TFC).

The 10 finalists vying for the Ms. Philippines Earth crowns are Ma. Alicia Elena Ariosa (Pagadian City), Murielle Adrienne Orais (Cebu City), Edan Dafilmoto (Cotabato City), Michelle Gavagan (Las Piñas City), Jonavi Quiray (Puerto Princesa City), Denisse Toribio (Malolos City), Brenna Gamboa (Fil East Coast USA), Athena Imperial (Casiguran, Aurora), Tarhata Rico (Makati City), and Catrine Rosary Ocampo (General Santos City).