Miss Earth Tereza Fajksova is the busiest winner of the Big 4 for 2012

It is now official. Miss Earth 2012 Tereza Fajksova of Czech Republic is the busiest among all winners of the 4 most important and biggest international pageants - Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss Earth and Miss International. She has been flying from one country to another, giving inspirational talks, attending conferences, crowning winners of different Miss Earth franchises, meeting with presidents of some countries, attending photoshoots, giving interviews to foreign media, etc. Name it and you'll have it. That is how busy our earth warrior.

Why Did Korinna Kocsis Refuse the Miss Intercontinental Hungary 2013 Title?

This is a follow-up story about Korinna Kocsis, the Hungarian beauty queen who made headlines in the world of pageantry for making a stand and for refusing the title she won in Miss Hungary 2013. I can't think of another contestant in my entire life of stalking updates of any beauty pageants who did the same thing. This makes her an epic!

(Korinna Kocsis, when she won third placer in Miss Hungary 2009. She was awarded the title of Miss Earth Hungary 2009 and went on to Manila, Philippines to compete at Miss Earth 2009.)

Winner of Miss Germany 2010, Anne Julia Hagen, is going to Miss Earth and not Misses World nor Universe

Miss Berlin Anne Julia Hagen was crowned Miss Germany 2010 last Saturday, February 13th at Europapark Rust. And she is going to Miss Earth 2010 and not Miss World as it used to be nor Miss Universe.

Miss Germany is the most prestigious national pageant in Germany. This year's edition, the pageant attracted many beautiful and stunning girls. I hope I can collect all the contestants' pictures so that you can verify my claim. I will try to do that.

Before, the winner of this pageant was usually sent to Miss World until it stopped few years back. Luckily, the organizer was able to get the franchise of Miss Earth so the winner is going to Vietnam later this year to compete for the 10th edition of the eco-themed international grandslam pageant.

Anne Julia is a strong favorite for Miss Earth as early as now. Pageant fans are echoing Germany is already assured of a semi-final slot. This is a good indication and if this will happen, this will be Germany's first in this pageant.

But Anne Julia should not relax with this compliments. She should tone down her body since she has the tendency to look heavy or fat in some pictures. But her face is definitely beautiful.

22 girls competed at the pageant and 1st runner-up was given to 20-year old Albana Nocaj, Miss Baden-Württemberg. 2nd runner-up was 24-year old Reingard Hagemann, Miss Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

How did the long gowns of Dayana Mendoza and Stefania Fernandez influence other countries like Wales and Poland?

I was inspired by the turn out of comments on this post I have written about the identical gowns of Miss Philippines and Miss Venezuela during the Miss Universe 2008 in Vietnam. The similarity is more on the cuts of the gowns.

Because of this post, I have realized how strong Venezuela is in influencing other countries when it comes to pageantry. The long gowns of Dayana Mendoza and Stefania Fernandez, the back-to-back Miss Universe winners from Venezuela for 2008 and 2009, have been the inspirations of other countries. Poland and Wales (United Kingdom) copied the designs of the gowns for their representatives to Miss World and Miss Earth respectively.

Although this act of copying designs is a fashion crime, I am more curious to know the feelings or reactions of the girls who were forced to wear these gowns. Did they wear it with pride and confidence? Did it affect their performances?

For comparison, the next two pictures are Dayana Mendoza (first) in her yellow gown and Stefania fernandez (second) in her red gown.

Now, here is Miss Wales Dominique Dryer during the preliminary evening gown competition of Miss Earth 2009 in Manila. The gown is exactly the same with Dayana's gown except that she changed the color to pink.

On the other hand, Miss Poland Anna Jamróz paraded in Miss World 2009 with a gown which was obviously a fusion of the gowns of Dayana and Stefania. The upper part of the gown is patterned from Dayana's while the lower part is copied from Stefania's.

Would you choose Miss Earth over Miss World?

I am sure you would pick Miss World over Miss Earth if you are asked to choose between the two.

It won't surprise me. Afterall, Miss World is the oldest among all the 4 grandslam pageants while Miss Earth is only celebrating its 10th year anniversary. Julia Morley's pageant has been broadcasted in most parts of the world while Carousel's can only been seen in Philippine television.

Miss World attracts more participating countries every year of around 100 beauties but Miss Earth is catching up with 80 plus girls. Most beauty pageant fans believe Miss World has more beautiful participants than Miss Earth every year. But personally, I believe this is not true especially if we compare the ladies who competed last year in both pageants. Miss Earth had more quality contestants than Miss World. In fact, Miss Earth produced the most competitive and most stunning girls in the Top 5 of any international pageants last year.

If most of us will choose Miss World, Vietnam did the exact opposite over the question on which of the two pageants they will keep to host. The Province of Khan Khao dropped Miss World 2010 but they kept Miss Earth 2010.

This is definitely a blow on Julia's face but a sure victory for the lesser Miss Earth. I can't imagine what Julia might be thinking now but I am sure the Carousel staffs are grinning from ears to ears.

I can only think of one valid reason why Miss Earth was favored. Hosting this pageant is lot cheaper than the USD 10 million Vietnam will be needing to bring Miss World.

With this, I personally believe Khan Khoa just did the most practical thing to do. The Vietnamese government can still market their tourism with Miss Earth with a lesser budget than spend 10 million without a guarantee they can get this back.

So, kudos to Vietnam for the wise decision.

Miss World 2010 is going to Sanya, China AGAIN?

Miss World is not Miss World without controversies. Since time in memorial, this London-based pageant has been plagued by scandals. The 2010 edition is not an exception. The pageant has not even started yet but it is already drawing the attention of pageant fans worldwide.

Last week, it has been announced by Miss World Organization through its official website that the pageant will take place this year in Vietnam in November. Actually, the announcement did not come as a surprise because as everybody knows Julia Morley, the owner of the pageant and Ksenia Sukhinova, the then Miss World winner, were in Vietnam in 2008 to sign the contracts. The announcement was only a formality.

What excited the fans was the scenario that both Miss World and Miss Earth pageants will be taking place at the same country on the same month.

Read my post here about Miss Earth being hosted by Vietnam in November.

But news broke out that the main sponsor of Miss World backed out because of a dispute on the venue. Two provinces, Tien Giang and Khanh Hoa were caught in the middle of the dispute.

RAAS, a pharmaceutical company, is providing USD 10 million for the pageant and they wanted it to be held in the Province of Tien Giang. However, the government of Vietnam through its Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism approved the pageant to be held in the province of Khanh Hoa, in Nha Trang City.

Since this is the decision of the government, Mr. Hoang Kieu, the president of RAAS company can't do anything so he willingly gave up the right to organize the Miss World 2010 to Khanh Hoa Province.

The problem came when the Province of Khanh Hoa announced that it is not willing to spend USD 10 million just to sponsor the pageant. No one from Khanh Hoa can afford to shell out the amount needed to host Miss World 2010.

In another development, Hoang Kieu and the RAAS company will instead seek the permission of the Vietnamese government to host Miss World 2011 or 2012.

Now there is a rumor that if Miss World 2010 will not be held in Vietnam, it will be moved back to Sanya, China. Sanya hosted the pageant for 4 years - from 2003 to 2005 and in 2007.

Miss Earth might not be held in Vietnam as earlier reported

There is a good news for the followers of Miss Earth pageant. On it's 10th year anniversary celebration, Miss Earth Organization is stepping up by bringing the pageant outside the Philippines to Vietnam. Let us all celebrate.

Personally, I am happy with this development or this decision by Carousel Productions, the pageant organizer, because this means one thing - the pageant is soaring higher.

Miss Earth is the most bashed pageant because fans see the final production as amateurish and raw. Although, they rank the pageant second to Miss Universe in terms of excitement and promotional activities, the incapability of Miss Earth to broadcast its pageant internationally makes it not at par with the other grandslam pageants like Misses Universe and World.

Well, bringing the pageant to Vietnam this year is the first step for Carousel in marketing Miss Earth to the global audience. It surely creates interest among the Vietnamese. And next year, Vietnamese televisions will be bidding for the right to broadcast it again in their country. And if other countries show signs of interest in hosting the pageant, in a matter of another 10 years, at least, Miss Earth will definitely be giving Misses Universe and World a run of their money.

There are no official statements yet coming from Carousel and Vietnam about holding the pageant in the province of Nha Trang but this report was leaked to fans when a Vietnamese newspaper wrote a contract signing between Miss Earth officials and the sponsors took place in a ceremony in a hotel in Saigon.

But there are some fans who are still skeptical whether Miss Earth will be finally held outside the Philippines. Their fear comes from an incident in the past. In 2005, it was announced by the host that the 2006 edition was going to be held in Chile. But later that year, it was still in Manila.

So, let's wait more developments before we can finally say that Miss Earth is really going to Vietnam.

Sandra Inez Seifert is hot!

Miss Earth Philippines 2009 and also Miss Earth 2009 1st runner-up, Sandra Inez Seifert is looking gorgeous and hot. With this latest photo (above) of her, the Filipino-German beauty queen has just proven she deserves the Best in Swimsuit award she got at the Miss Earth 2009 preliminary.

She is screaming Miss Universe but sad to say she was rejected by Binibining Pilipinas (BPCI), the body responsible for selecting a Filipina delegate to the Donald Trump-owned Miss Universe pageant. She is a lost of BPCI - really for sure.

But look on the photo again. This time just focus your eyes on the horse. A naughty friend suggested that Sandra is no doubt looking so hot that even the horse got aroused. Hilarious!

Venezuela is losing its Miss World Charisma

With 17 titles - 6 Miss Universe, 5 Miss World, 5 Miss International and 1 Miss Earth - without a doubt, Venezuela is the the leading powerhouse in beauty pageants!

This decade was very fruitful for this South American nation.

In Miss Universe, they only missed the semifinals twice - 2004 and 2006. But these exclusions were rewarded by back to back titles in 2008 and 2009. Aside from that, all remaining placements of Venezuela were in the Top 5.

Venezuela had some struggles in the first years of Miss Earth. In 2005, Alexandra Braun became the first Venezuelan to enter the semifinals and eventually won. Since then, Venezuela has placed every year.

Miss International proved to be the best pageant for Venezuela this decade - winning 3 titles, 1 first runner up and 4 semifinalists - are proofs that Venezuela occupies the number one spot for the Tokyo-based pageant.

Miss World - this decade they had 5 placements - and the highest was in 2002 - Goizeder Azua's Top 10 finish! Compared to their performance in the 90's, it was really poor. Two winners (1991 and 1995), one 1st runner up (1999), three 2nd runners up (1990, 1992, 1994) and two 4th runners up (1993 and 1996). They only missed the Top 10 in 1997 and 1998 - and the reason was because Venezuela didn't send their national winners to Miss World. This decade, Venezuela did not even make it to the final cut.

What could have been the reasons?

Vanessa Cardenas, Andriena Prieto and Goizeder Azua were not crowned in Miss Venezuela finals instead, Osmel staged a small pageant for Miss World Venezuela 2000 - 2002. Among the three, Goizeder was the most refreshing beauty - something that Miss World is looking for.

In 2003, Miss World Venezuela was back in the top prizes - Valentina Patruno won and became a semifinalist in Miss World 2003.

Andrea Milroy and Susan Carrizo failed in 2004 and 2005. Their beauties aren't really suited for MW.

The Miss World Organization announced that Miss World 2006 would be held in Poland on September 30, three months ahead of schedule. The Miss Venezuela Org. decided to return to the "emergency" system used in 2000-01 and hold a special pageant, Miss World Venezuela 2006. Federica Guzman was the undisputed favourite for the national title, causing the usual controversy, but her performance at Miss World broke the failure streak of her country to classify into the semifinals since the participation of Valentina Patruno in 2003.

Claudia Suarez and Hannelly Quintero continued the streak. But Milagors Veliz broke it again!

Why? Claudia and Hannelly were young and beautiful, Milagros was a bad choice - she was a complete opposite of the two.

The main reason why Venezuela is losing its force in Miss World is because MVO gives a higher importance to Miss Universe than Miss World. And most of the times, their MU delegates were better than their MW representatives. But Julia was kinda fair not to exclude beautiful ladies like Valentina, Federica, Claudia and Hannelly.

Julia doesn't want to be second.

Expect this, if Miss Vnezuela Organization will not do something with it, don't expect the 6th Venezuelan Miss World to be crowned.

Julia is not Eric Morley. Now that the rivalry between Trump and Morley is getting more intense, Venezuela will never advance in the final 5 of Miss World.

For Miss Venezuela Organization - simply send a woman who is beautiful, sweet, young - not a drag queen nor a too polished woman that is more of a Miss Universe material.

Text from Miss Cosmopolitan.

Miss Earth 2009 Winner - Miss Spain Alejandra Echevarria?

The final stage for the Miss Earth 2009 pageant at Boracay Resort and Convention Centerin the Philippines.

Today is the big day for Miss Earth 2009 pageant when the new winner will be crowned at Boracay Ecovillage Resort and Convention Center in the Philippines.

In less than 4 hours, we will see if the most anticipated back-to-back win for the Philippines with Sandra Inez Seifert happen. Or will the overrated Cuba's Jamillette Gaxiola and Venezuela's Jessica Barboza live up to the expectations.

Sandra started the competition with fire. Her Best in Swimsuit and Long Gown Awards are validation to this. Unfortunately, these awards have no bearings come tonight's final.

I just would like to address those people who are questioning the victory of Sandra. I have seen the videos and I can say Sandra was deserving to win the Best in Evening Gown. She had the most unique gown. The other gowns are equally beautiful but you usually see them in beauty pageants. The moment Sandra was flashed in the screen with the so-called rainbow gown, I was really mesmerized which I didn't feel with the others. In fact, she deserved the Best in Long Gown more than the Best in Swimsuit.

At the preliminary swimsuit competition, Sandra may not have the best body among all the finalists but she was oozing with charisma. She was so energetic in her presentation. She was simply glowing. I guess these are the factors the judges saw on Sandra which eventually convinced them to give the title to her.

But relax and sit back, folks. The pageant has not even started. It's not yet over 'till it's over. Like what I have said earlier, the awards that were given to Miss Philippines have no bearings tonight. These awards only cemented Sandra's fate as one of the finalists - that is for sure - but all the ladies who will be included in the Final Top 18 will start the night again with equal chances. They will all start from scratch.

Just take a quick look on what happened during the Miss Earth 2007. Venezuela's Silvana Santaella bagged these two major awards also during the preliminary competition but she ended up Miss Earth-Water or second runner-up only.

Like what I have said in my entry yesterday, I would have love to come up with my prediction of the Final Top 18 but since I was just fully updated with this year's pageant few days ago, I am afraid I will be very biased with my list. For sure, I will only be basing my judgment on the pictures which is not fair to do. But in case you are interested to know my bias opinion, I will tell you that I have the feeling that Miss Spain's Alejandra Echevarria will take the crown.

We will see.

Beauty In Pageants is Back

Contestants of Miss Earth 2009 pageant during the filming at the famous world-class Boracay in the Philippines. The new Miss Earth winner will be crowned on Sunday, 22 November 2009, by Miss Philippines Karla Paula Henry.

Beauty In Pageants has not been updated for 3 months and 9 days to be exact. The last blog entry we have posted was on 12 August by Kuh Chara, at the heights of the 2009 Miss Universe pageant in Bahamas which was won by Miss Venezuela Stefania Fernandez.

Now, that I am back with my favourite hobby and that is blogging on beauty pageants, I am very happy to tell everyone that I missed you all. It was actually almost six months that I never posted anything in my blog because of the accident I was involved with.

And, I also would like to thank everyone for the support you have given on this site. Some of you remained regular visitors despite of having no fresh updates from us for more than 3 months. Kuh had to leave blogging for more important things and I don't know if he's coming back. I can't tell. For the benefit of my new readers, it was Kuh who continued writing on this blog for almost 3 months when I can't do it because of the accident.

It's a good thing I am over with my ordeal - hospital and jail. So, now I can concentrate on bringing you up the latest news, gossips and comments about the latest beauty pageants on earth. I will try to introduce some changes in my site for the next few days and hopefully, everyone would still remain loyal. I owe to all of you the success of this blog.

I just want to tell everyone about this one big opportunity I missed for a lifetime -bigtime!

I was surprised to learn that the more than hundred delegates of the Miss World 2009 pageant visited Abu Dhabi for a fashion show. They were in the capital of United Arab Emirates for 3 days, I guess. They left the country for South Africa on 14th November. Here's the most depressing part of the story. I was released out from jail (because of the accident)of Dubai on 15th November. I missed the chance of covering the event. As a beauty pageant fanatic, I should have given you personal updates and tidbits about the Miss World 2009 pageant here if only I was released earlier. Sigh!

Anyways, I am excited about the upcoming Miss Earth 2009 pageant to be held at the famous Boracay Beach in the Philippines on November 22nd and the Miss International 2009 pageant in China on November 29th. Unfortunately, I can't give you my predictions on who will most likely penetrates the Final Top 15 or Top 18 because I have little information about the ladies. I am hoping I can do this with Miss World 2009.

So, stay tuned.

Karla Paula Henry Graces Miss USA Earth 2009

Miss Earth 2008 Karla Paula Henry of the Philippines graced the coronation night of Miss USA Earth 2009 pageant that took place in Nevada, USA. The pageant was won by Amy Diaz of Rhode Island. She's US representative to the 9th edition of Miss Earth in Manila, Philippines in October this year.

Another beauty who graced the event is Miss Cuba Earth 2009 Jamillette Gaxiola. Jamillette and Amy will be battling each other at the Miss Earth 2009 for the crown.

"Miss Earth Tots Botswana 2008 buried after mysterious death", a headline says

Miss Botswana Earth 2008 died in a mysterious illness.

That's what I thought when I first read the headline of a breaking news from a website in Botswana.

The title says, "Miss Earth Tots Botswana 2008 buried after mysterious death"

Then I continued reading the lead or the first paragraph.

"Eleven-year-old Katlo One Lore, who was crowned Ms. Earth Botswana in 2008, was buried last week Saturday, 27th June, 2008 at her home place, Kanye, following a mysterious illness."

I started to doubt the authenticity of the write up written by Gowenius Toka when I read the girl was only 11 years old. How can she be so young to compete at Miss Earth 2008?

Then I realized there was a serious error in the reporting when I verified that Botswana was represented at the 2008 Miss Earth in Manila by a 19 year-old named Nametso Ngwako.

I hope you weren't fooled too just what exactly happened to me.

*****The first picture is the real Miss Botswana Earth 2008 Nametso Ngwako. The second picture is the girl, Katlo One Lore, who died with a mysterious illness.

SOURCE: http://sundaystandard.info/news/news_item.php?NewsID=5295&GroupID=1

Miss Earth Gets a new crown?

Miss Earth 2008 Karla Paula Henry of the Philippines with the new Ramona Haar-made crown

Miss Earth's official website has a new look. You gonna love it. It has a new domain name also - from www.missearth.tv to www.missearth.info.

I was looking for updates about this pageant when I discovered this. But there is one thing that I'm curious about. Miss Earth will reveal its new crown soon.

The teaser goes like this, "Over 80 gems from all over the world on one coveted headpiece - The NEW Miss Earth crown, Unveiling soon"

We all knew that the crown lying on the head of Karla Paula Henry, the current Miss Earth, is new as it was only introduced in November during the latest edition of the pageant. It was designed by Ramona Haar Fine Jewelry and its value is US$25,000.

The new crown is still a masterpiece of Ramona Haar.

Krystal Brown is the new Miss Bahamas Earth 2009

When the original winner of Miss Bahamas Earth, Ife Bethel Sears, gave up her crown to continue her study, reports circulated in forums and blogs that Amanda Appleyard, Miss Bahamas International, was taking her place. Truth is ... Amanda retained her title.

A new girl was named  Miss Bahamas Earth. The lucky lady is Krystal (or Krystle?) Brown. She is indeed very lucky if you pay attention to the clamor of many Bahamians who are disappointed with the turn of events.

Pageant enthusiasts from Bahamas are questioning why a non-finalist like Krystal would get the right to compete in a better pageant like Miss Earth and the First Runner-up, who happens to be Amanda, is going only to Miss International which is far inferior than the former.

Amanda was elevated as First Runner-up from being Second Runner-up when Ife (original First Runner-up) resigned. On the other hand, Krystal was appointed as the Second Runner-up.

Some are also arguing why the fourth and fifth runners-up of the pageant, Alyssa Knowles and Camille Kenny, were not offered with the title vacated by Ife.

Fans also argued that Miss Bahamas Organization should stick to their tradition of sending the First Runner-up to Miss Earth and the Second Runner-up to Miss International.

Supporters of Miss Bahamas Org reasoned out that Amanda already signed a contract designating her as the representative of Bahamas to Miss International, therefore, they can no longer give her the title of Miss Bahamas Earth.

Going back on Ife Bethel Sears, someone fed us some information that the beauty queen just used her studies as her reason to quit her title. According to our informer, the real reason was because Ife believed her contract with Miss Bahamas Organization was bogus. The former Miss Bahamas Earth 2009 was not happy with the stipulations in her contract.

This would only remind us the issues involving Gaynell Stubbs-Rolle, Miss Bahamas organizer, and former winners of the pageant like Sacha Scott.

 

Miss Bahamas Earth 2009, Krystal Brown and Miss Bahamas Universe 2009, Kiara Sherman pose for the camera.

 

From Left-Right: Krystal Brown Miss Bahamas Earth 2009, Miss Bahamas International 2009 Amanda Appleyard, Miss Bahamas World 2009 Joanna Brown, Miss Culteral Bahamas, Miss Bold Beautiful Bahamas, Miss Global Bahamas Azariah Clare and Miss Gospel Bahamas. They attended the the Bahamas 36th Independance Day Celebrations at Clifford Park in Nassau on July 10th 2009.

Puahinano Bonno Wins Miss Tahiti 2009

Puahinano Bonno is the winner of Miss Tahiti 2009 in a pageant that was held last 26 June 2009 in Papeete, the capital of French Polynesia. She beat 11 other lovely ladies to have the right to represent Tahiti to the Miss France 2010 pageant.

You have read it right. Bonno is not going to any major international beauty pageants like Misses Universe, World, Earth or International. But her runner-up, Niuriki Teremate, (First Runner-Up) will go to the 9th edition of Miss Earth in Manila, Philippines in October.

Just a quick note to some readers who might not know this, Tahiti is a French territory. It is part of France that's why it has to be represented in Miss France pageant.

Bonno stands 1.78 meters. She is a student of Business Management.

Second Runner-Up was Mereani Meyrand.

Miss Mundo Argentina (Miss Argentina World) 2009 Crowns Bets to Misses World, Earth and International 2009

Argentina, a beauty superpower during the early days, has another reason to be optimistic that the memories of old gold days in pageantry will be alive again in this year's international pageants. Just hours ago, May 17, three lovely and gorgeous Argentinian ladies were crowned as the country's top beauty queens to be sent to Miss Universe, Miss International and Miss Earth.

 

  

 

Evelyn Lucia Manchon, 22 years old, finished on top of the Miss Mundo Argentina 2009 or Miss Argentina World in English. She will represent this South American country to the Miss World 2009 pageant in Johannesburg, South Africa and London, UK in December 12.

Announced as First Runner-Up is the crowd favourite, Mercedes Viaña, 18. She will compete at the Miss International 2009 pageant to be held in Japan and China.

The Second Runner-Up who is going to Miss Earth 2009 pageant in Manila, Philippines, is 21-old Gisela Menossi.

The remaining two girls in the Top 5 who won't go to any international pageants are 3rd Runner-Up, Gema Pineda of San Juan; and, 4th Runner-Up is Belen Fernadez of Corrientes.

The rest of the Top 10 are Debora Quiroga of Santa Fe, Guadalupe Ferreira of Catamarca, Micaela Lopez of Salta, Johanna Milsztejn of Tucuman and Paulina Becher of La Pampa.

Goodluck, Argentina. I am one of many beauty pageant fans who is looking forward to see Miss Argentina in the Top 10 of Misses World, Earth or International.

Mariana Valente wins Miss Canada Universe 2009

Canada crowns Mariana Valente to be this country's representative to the Miss Universe 2009 pageant to be held in Nassau, Bahamas in August 23. The 23-year old beauty queen who is originally from Brazil and moved to Canada when she was 12 was crowned as Miss Canada Universe 2009 at John Bassett Theatre in Toronto, May 16.

Have you noticed that lately Canada is not selecting pure Canadians to represent this country in international pageants? I just noticed that their recent beauty titleholders are of mix blood. Most of them are immigrants.

Natalie Glebova who won Miss Universe 2005 is from Russia and Miss Earth 2007, Jessica Trisko is of Filipino heritage. Miss World 2003 First Princess, Nazanin Afshin-Jam has Iranian parents.

Going back to Miss Canada Universe 2009, Valente is a student of languages at York University. She is 1.72 meters tall.

The first runner up is a contestant from Canada's Next Top Model. She is 26-year old Ylenia Aurucci. Ksenia Mezenina is second runner up. Neda Derakshan is third runner up while fourth runner up is Isabelle Grastin.

Even the courts of Valente are not pure Canadians, I guess. Their names sound Russian. I know for a fact that Neda has Iranian blood because I posted a blog entry about her here.

There are 56 women who competed in this year's pageant.

For the special awards, TingJia Lorogiano is People's Choice Award. Chanel Beckenlehner is Miss Elegance and Audience Favourite. Xiao Sun is Best in Runway while Cristina Heslenfeld is Best in Swimwear.

Have you noticed it again? Even the winners of the minor awards are not pure Canadians. Well, this means Canada is a melting pot of all nationalities around the world.

Sandra Inez Seifert Wins Miss Philippines Earth 2009: A Sweet Revenge

Sandra Inez Seifert wins the right to represent her country, the Philippines, at the 9th edition of Miss Earth, the third biggest beauty pageant in the world, sometime in October this year in Manila.

Seifert was crowned last Sunday night. May 10, as Miss Philippines-Earth 2009 in the Arena Entertainment and Recreational Center of the People in San Juan City and aired over ABS-CBN Channel 2. She represented the province of Negros Occidental.

The beauty queen, 24-year old Filipino-German nurse, bested more than 40 candidates.

This is definitely a big victory for Sandra after she was disqualified last month from the rival beauty pageant that selects Philippines' representatives to Misses Universe, International and World.

Just two days before the coronation night of Binibining Pilipinas 2009 (Miss Philippines 2009), Sandra was disqualified after she was discovered to have posed for a men's magazine. In fact, her pictures that appeared in Maxim (Philippine edition) are not scandalous. She was just wearing what beauty contestants definitely wear during swimsuit competitions. The pictures were just made controversial by the hypocrites of the Binibining Pilipinas.

Indeed, this victory is a sweet revenge for Sandra who is now aiming the title of Miss Earth 2009. Another Filipina beauty queen, Karla Paula Henry, is the current titleholder.

Going back to the result of the pageant, aside from Seifert, Grezilda Adelantar was named Miss Phillipines Eco Tourism; Miss Philippines Fire is Patricia Marie Tumulak from Quezon City; Miss Philippines Air is Michelle Martha Braun of Aklan and Miss Philippines Water is Catherin Loyola of Sydney, Australia.

Miss Philippines Earth is now claimed by many beauty fans as the biggest beauty pageant in the Philippines drawing around 40 candidates every year.

The semi-finalists who made to Top 10 are Alexis Go of Manila, Tessa Kruger of the Filipino community in Canada, Monique Teruelle Manuel of Bataan, Vanessa Johnson of Pampanga (She is also a semi-finalist of Binibining Pilipinas 2009) and Kirstie Joan Babor of Alegria.

Miss Earth-Philippines titleholders dedicate their year to promote environmental projects and to address issues concerning the environment. The winners also serve as the spokesperson for the Miss Earth Foundation, the United Nations Environment Programme and other environmental organizations.

50 bets vie for Miss Philippines-Earth

Reigning Miss Philippines-Earth Karla Paula Henry confessed to the Inquirer that she feels sad about giving up her national title.

But upon seeing the 50 contestants vying for her crown, Henry said she is “excited because a new batch is coming in to try out the things that we did.”

Henry, a Cebuana who’s also the reigning Miss Earth, said “when we crown the next Miss Philippines-Earth, I can focus more on my international duties and responsibilities.” She hopes to travel a lot to spread the pageant’s environmental advocacy and make Miss Earth known on a wider scale.

First Asian Miss Earth

The ramp and commercial model is the third Binibining Pilipinas castoff to be crowned Miss Philippines-Earth. She failed to advance in the rival pageant’s semifinals last year, but became the first Asian woman to be proclaimed Miss Earth.

Catherine Untalan, the 2006 Miss Philippines-Earth winner, admitted she had also signed up for Bb. Pilipinas but failed to make the roster of candidates. Her vindication came when she placed third in the Miss Earth international pageant.

Jeanne Harn was also empty-handed in Bb. Pilipinas but was proclaimed Miss Philippines-Earth in 2007 and went on to win special citations in the Miss Earth pageant.

If this trend continues, some candidates may already have an advantage.

Victorias City’s Adie Adelantar and Evangeline Mae Castillo of Tarlac joined Bb. Pilipinas in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Both failed to crack the Top 10.

Sandra Seifert, who was disqualified from Bb. Pilipinas 2009 two days before coronation night for posing in a men’s magazine, is trying her hand in Miss Philippines-Earth representing Negros Occidental. The controversial beauty said she feels blessed for getting another opportunity to join a pageant.

Among the other contenders are 2009 Bb. Pilipinas finalist Vanessa Johnson of Apalit and 2007 Mutya ng Pilipinas semifinalists Angelee de los Reyes of Olongapo City and Tanya Louise Hendy from the Filipino community in Melbourne, Australia.

Some early favorites include Michelle Martha Braun of Aklan, Paula Figueras of Ilocos Sur, and Tessa Kruger from the Filipino community in Canada.

The Miss Philippines-Earth coronation night will be held on May 10, 7 p.m. at The Arena in San Juan City. It will be televised on ABS-CBN on the same night and will be beamed to other countries via The Filipino Channel.