Candidates for Ms. Earth pageant down to 30

THE 2011 Miss Philippines-Earth is down to its last 30 candidates after two rounds of early elimination held in the cities of Pasay in Metro Manila and Calapan in Oriental Mindoro.

Marde Rose Enriquez (Calamba), Mary Grace Opingo (Midsayap), Czshevinah Alejandro (Lipa), Honey Arranguez (Davao), Caraleigh Ico (Sapian), Crista Juanico (Libungan), Cari Campbell (Central US) and Princess Iñosa (San Pedro) were included in the first cut announced during the special Long Gown Competition in Calapan last May 6.

Last Thursday, the second round of elimination was held at the Casual Wear Competition at Opus in Resorts World Manila.

Among those booted out were Alabat, Quezon’s Gabrielle Cabrera, younger sister of 2005 Binibining Pilipinas-Universe Gionna Cabrera, and Miss Congeniality Norella Nacis from Santo Tomas, La Union.

Second cut

Also in the second cut were Klaudine Palma (Antipolo), Christine Adi (Baguio), Beverlyn Alquiros (Balagtas), Clarize Barrameda (Caloocan), Imelda Gaborno (Filipino community of Canada), Mercy Malaluan (Capalonga), Rhizsa Bravo (Labo) and Kuljit Babrah (Parang, Maguindanao).

The competition started with 50 delegates from across the country and some overseas Filipino communities. Two bets, Christine Rodriguez (Marikina) and Jaymie Lou Pagulayan (Santiago), backed out of the race even before the candidates were trimmed down.

Pageant organizer Carousel Productions said the elimination will end after only 10 candidates remain.

Project director Peachy Veneracion said this development “makes the pageant more exciting” and shows that the competition does not only take place during the pageant night.

Catherine Untalan, executive director of pageant partner Miss Earth Foundation, said the elimination was a result of two closed-door pre-judging sessions with different boards of judges. The ladies were chosen based on their physical beauty and their grasp of environmental knowledge.

The pageant is seeking an ambassadress for environmental advocacies.

Makati bet

Among those who remain in the race is Tarhata Rico (Makati), who recently earned a Tourism degree from the University of the Philippines.

She said a highly-urbanized city such as Makati may still observe the “International Year of the Forests” declared by the United Nations this year.

“It does not matter if we live in small spaces,” she explained. “We can build pocket gardens on rooftops and even just put plants on each of our window sills. This one simple act not just observes the ‘Year of the Forest’ and is not just good for one year, but defines what the environment will be for many years to come.”

The third round of elimination will take place during the Cocktail Wear Competition on Monday at the Carlos Romulo Auditorium at the RCBC Plaza in Makati City.

The coronation night in Puerto Princesa City on June 5 will be aired on ABS-CBN same day at 10 p.m.