Miss Philippines Earth

The Miss Philippines Earth, originally called "Miss Philippines" in its early years, is a Filipino national beauty pageant held annually in search of the most beautiful and environmentally-friendly woman in the Philippines.^[1][2] Miss Philippines Earth is beauty pageant in the Philippines with 50 official candidates.^[3][4][5]

The reigning titleholders dedicate their year to promote environmental projects and to address issues concerning the environment.^[6] They also serve as spokesperson for the Miss Earth Foundation, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and other environmental organizations.^[7] The grand winner will represent Philippines in Miss Earth pageant.^[4][5]

The beauty pageant's current titleholder is Karen Ibasco from Manila who was crowned Miss Philippines Earth 2017 on July 15, 2017.^[8]

History

In the first quarter of 2001, Carousel Productions relinquished the franchise for both Mutya ng Pilipinas (Beauty of the Philippines) and Miss Asia Pacific International beauty contests and decided to establish a beauty pageant whose cause is to have its candidates and winners actively promote and get involved in the preservation of the environment and the protection of Mother Earth. As a result, Miss Philippines (currently called Miss Philippines Earth) and Miss Earth pageants were established.^[2]

Miss Philippines beauty pageant was formally launched in a press conference on April 3, 2001 with the search of a delegate to represent Philippines in the international Miss Earth pageant.^[9] The pageant tied up with the Philippine government agencies such as the Philippine Department of Tourism (DoT), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and at least two international environmental groups such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the American Global Release to further its environmental advocacy.^[10][11]

In its formative years, the pageant was simply known as Miss Philippines, but to avoid confusion with another Philippine national pageant of the same name, Binibining Pilipinas (which direct English translation is Miss Philippines), the name was changed to Miss Philippines Earth. This pageant has no connection to the original "Miss Philippines" pageants of the early 1950s.

The pageant contestants are called "Beauties for a Cause." The competition includes swimsuit competition, long gown parade, talent competition, but more weight is given to personality and also to ecological and environmental intelligence in the interview portion.^[12]

In 2006, Carousel Productions opened the contest to Filipina women of foreign ancestry, or from those living abroad such as Australia, France, Germany, United Arab Emirates and the United States.^[2][13]

In 2008, Miss Philippines-Earth broadened its coverage to include candidates from various provinces, cities, and municipalities. The decision to transform Miss Philippines Earth in a larger-scale was made to further the cause of Miss Philippines Earth and with more participants involved, Carousel Productions would be able to reach more people and communities involved in its environmental advocacy.^[2][13]

Delegates

Carousel Production previously held beauty contest in 12 Regions of the Philippines from 2001–2007, through its local franchises. The winners of those contest in turn competed with 12 more contestants from the National Capital Region for the coveted title.^[4][5]

In 2006, Carousel Production opened the contest to Filipina women of foreign ancestry, or living abroad. In 2008, Miss Philippines-Earth broaden its coverage to various provinces, cities, municipalities to send in their candidate.^[4][5]

The grand winner of Miss Philippines Earth goes on to represent her country in the Miss Earth.^[4][5]

From 2007- 2008, the first runner-up or Miss Philippines Air, was officially designated the Miss Philippines Tourism Queen International (MTQI) title and competed at Miss Tourism Queen International pageant. However, in 2009, Grezilda Adelantar, Miss Philippines Eco-Tourism represented the Philippines in the Miss Tourism Queen International pageant. The franchise was transferred to Binibining Pilipinas in 2011.

In 2009, it was also declared that the four elemental court of the Miss Philippines Earth winner namely: Miss Philippines- Air, Miss Philippines- Water, Miss Philippines- Fire, and Miss Philippines Eco-Tourism are all equal winners and the remaining five finalists that failed to advance in the top five are the runners up of the pageant.

Awards and titles

Just like in Miss Earth pageant, the winner of the beauty contest is bestowed the title Miss Philippines Earth; her runners-up are also given titles named after the other natural elements:Miss Philippines Eco Tourism (fourth runner-up), Miss Philippines Fire (equivalent to third runner-up), Miss Philippines Water (second runner-up), and Miss Philippines Air (first runner-up). Miss Earth is the only one of the "Big Four" pageants which have individual titles for the runners-up.^[4][5] In 2009, Carousel Productions, the organizer of Miss Philippines Earth, changed the ranking of the runners up and winners. The judges now select 10 finalists to compete for the top five. The top five then vie for the grand crown (Miss Philippines Earth) and the four other equal crowns. The remaining five finalists who fail to advance in the top five serve as the runners up of the pageant.^[14][15][16]

Titleholders

Color keys

^1 Note: The years 2009 and 2010 editions, the Miss Philippines Earth remained the grand title of the event, but the four other titles i.e., Miss Philippines- Air, Miss Philippines- Water, Miss Philippines- Fire, and Miss Philippines Eco-Tourism are all equal winners. The remaining five finalists in the top 10 that failed to advance in the top five are the runners up of the pageant. It happened once again in 2017. ^2 Note: By 2011, it reverted to its original order with Miss Air as the runner-up or 2nd place, followed by Miss Water, Miss Fire, and Miss Eco-Tourism as 3rd, 4th and 5th placings, respectively ^3 Note: Imelda Schweighart opted to voluntarily give up her crown in light of controversies that she was involved in including accusing Katherine Espin (Miss Earth 2016) of undergoing surgery, among others thus Loren Mar Artajos who was originally crowned Miss Philippines-Water (2nd runner-up) assumed the title of Miss Philippines-Earth. Miss Philippines-Air (1st runner-up), Kiara Giel Gregorio could not assume the title due to studies in London, therefore she also relinquishes her title as well. Therefore, every runner-up moved 2 steps higher and Maria Fatima Al-sowyed and Charinna Barro, both semi-finalists of that edition, are now part of the elemental court.

Annual edition

Color keys

¹ Age at time of Miss Philippines Earth pageant
² Schweighart resigned from her post as Miss Philippines Earth 2016 on the 31st of October 2016, two days after the Miss Earth 2016 pageant, following the leak of a video showing her making a controversial remark against Miss Earth 2016 winner Katherine Espin of Ecuador. The 2nd runner up, Loren Mar Artajos takes over her duties as Miss Philippines Earth. The 1st runner-up, Kiara Giel Gregorio could not assume the title due to studies in London.^[22]

Current franchise

Below are the complete names of the annual titleholders of Miss Philippines Earth, listed in descending order and according to the year in which they participated in Miss Earth, their height and age during their national crowning and their final placement in the aforementioned international pageant after their participation.

The current Miss Philippines Earth titleholder is Karen Ibasco.

Color key

Former franchise

MTQI representatives

Miss Philippines Earth Organization (Carousel Productions) held the franchise for Miss Tourism Queen International (MTQI) pageant from 2005 until 2009. There were no international pageant in 2010. The franchise is currently under the management of BPCI (Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc.) effective in 2011.

The following is the list of the Miss Tourism Queen International Philippines titleholders and their placements:

Color key

Gallery of Winners

• 
  Miss Earth 2015
  Miss Philippines Earth 2015
  Angelia Ong
• 
  Miss Earth 2014
  Miss Philippines Earth 2014
  Jamie Herrell
• 
  Miss Philippines Earth Water 2009
  Kirstie Joan Babor
• 
  Miss Earth 2008
  Miss Philippines Earth 2008
  Karla Henry
• 
  Miss Philippines Earth Eco-tourism 2008
  Venus Raj
• 
  Miss Philippines Earth 2007, Jeanne Harn
• 
  Miss Earth Water 2006
  Miss Philippines Earth 2006
  Catherine Untalan
• 
  Miss Philippines Earth Air 2006
  Ginger Conejero

See also

References

External links

• Miss Philippines Earth official website