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.

Miss Philippines Reacts After Winning the Miss Earth 2008 Title

Miss Philippines Karla Henry (2nd R), 22, poses for photographers after winning the Miss Earth 2008 beauty pageant at the Expo amphitheatre in Clark air base in Pampanga, north of Manila November 9, 2008. Henry beat around eighty-five beauties from around the world declared their personal environmental campaigns, with the theme for this year's competition focused on "green lifestyle" during the coronation night on Sunday. In photo from L-R: Miss Brazil Tatiane Kelen Alves, 24, who won Miss Earth Fire, Miss Mexico Abigail Elizalde Romo, 23, Miss Earth Water, Miss Philippines, and Miriam Odemba, 25, of Tanzania, who won as Miss Earth Air.

Miss Philippines Karla Henry, 22, holds her crown after winning the Miss Earth 2008 beauty pageant at the Expo amphitheatre in Clark air base in Pampanga, north of Manila November 9, 2008. Henry beat around eighty-five beauties from around the world declared their personal environmental campaigns, with the theme for this year's competition focused on "green lifestyle" during the coronation night on Sunday.

Miss Philippines Karla Henry (C), 22, reacts after winning the Miss Earth 2008 beauty pageant at the Expo amphitheatre in Clark air base in Pampanga, north of Manila November 9, 2008. Henry beat around eighty-five beauties from around the world declared their personal environmental campaigns, with the theme for this year's competition focused on "green lifestyle" during the coronation night on Sunday. At right is Miriam Odemba, 25, of Tanzania, who won as Miss Earth Air.

Miss Philippines Karla Henry (L), 22, reacts to winning the Miss Earth 2008 beauty pageant at the Expo amphitheatre in Clark air base in Pampanga, north of Manila November 9, 2008. Henry beat around eighty-five beauties from around the world declared their personal environmental campaigns, with the theme for this year's competition focused on "green lifestyle" during the coronation night on Sunday. At right is Jessica Nicole Trisko, Miss Earth 2007.

Miss Philippines Karla Henry (C), 22, is congratulated by other beauty contestants after winning the Miss Earth 2008 beauty pageant at the Expo amphitheatre in Clark air base in Pampanga, north of Manila November 9, 2008. Henry beat around eighty-five beauties from around the world declared their personal environmental campaigns, with the theme for this year's competition focused on "green lifestyle" during the coronation night on Sunday.

The Miss Earth 2008 stage at the auditorium of the Clark Expo in Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines. At the background are the ladies in their evening gowns.

Miss Earth 2008 Calendar

The 85 contestants for the Miss Earth 2008 pageant were presented to the press yesterday morning (October 28) at Traders Hotel Manila in the city of Pasay in the Philippines while last night the National Costume Competition was held at Pagcor Grand Theater in Paranaque City.

On November 01, 2008, the ladies will compete for the Best in Swimsuit at Fontana Leisure Park and Casino in the city of Los Angeles, Pampanga, a two hour drive to the north outside of Metro Manila.

Talent Competition will be on November 2 at 7pm at Tamayo's in Intramuros, a walled city used as a fortress of the Spaniards during their 333 years occupation in the Philippines.

The grand finals will be on November 9 at 6pm at Clark Ampitheater in Clark, Pampanga. It will be broadcasted as live at 10 pm over ABS-CBN, the local network of the pageant.

The candidates of the Miss Earth 2008 are busy promoting how to take good care of our Mother Nature.

“With the onslaught of global economic showdown, we need to spread the message that adap­ting a simpler lifestyle, one that respects the boundaries of environment exploit, can help ease the effects of the crisis,” says G. Ramon S. Monzon, president of Carousel Productions, Inc. - the creator of the pageant. “All the delegates repre­sent the countries which in one way or ano­ther are affected by said adver­sary."

“In this quandary, we can find an opportunity, and that is to think of new ways on how to use our natural resour­ces wisely. A rich environment is integral to economic progress.”

The host representative is a 22-year old model Tourism student, Karla Henry.