Miss Philippines Earth stages first physical pageant after two years

The Top 20 delegates of the 2022 Miss Philippines Earth pageant compete in their first physical contest for this year’s edition of the national tilt. Image: Philippine Daily Inquirer/Armin P. Adina

MANILA, Philippines — The COVID-19 pandemic brought a new era to the Miss Philippines Earth pageant and its counterpart international competition, the Miss Earth contest, by staging virtual competitions in 2020 and 2021 while several other tilts put on hold the staging of their own ceremonies.

But after two online editions, the Miss Philippines Earth pageant is finally back to staging physical activities with its first face-to-face preliminary competition in after more than two years.

The top 20 delegates were gathered together at the Viridian in San Juan City on July 27 for the preliminary judging for “beauty of face” and for “poise” before a panel of judges, and with a select group of spectators witnessing the event.

Pageant partner Connext Holding Inc. organized the event, which also saw the 2021 national queens together, physically, in one room. Reigning Miss Philippines Earth Naelah Alshorbaji hosted the event with Miss Philippines Water Rocel Songano, while Miss Philippines Air Ameera Almamari, Miss Philippines Fire Roni Meneses, and Miss Philippines Ecotourism Sofia Lopez Galve cheered them on from the crowd.

Finally together—reigning Miss Philippines Earth Naelah Alshorbaji (center) finds herself together in one stage with her ‘elemental queens’ (from L) Rocel Songano, Ameera Almamari, Roni Menesea and Sofia Galve. Image: Philippine Daily Inquirer/Armin P. Ardina

This marks a significant turning point to the pageant, whose followers have been egging organizer Carousel Productions to finally stage a physical competition. The 2022 edition started with 38 aspirants from all over the country and different overseas Filipino communities who competed in various online contests.

The virtual competitions they took part in helped determine the top 20 ladies who were called to move on to the next phase of the contest, which would all be held physically.

Among the judges in the July 27 event were 1991 Miss International semifinalist Patty Betita, 2016 Miss Earth Air Michelle Gomez from Colombia, and 2004 Miss Earth Priscilla Meirelles from Brazil.

During the event, Jasmine Paguio from the Filipino community in Toronto, Canada, was hailed as “Miss Bingo Plus Lucky” by a pageant sponsor. She and the rest of the top 20 will take part in another preliminary competition this July 28.

Jasmine Paguio from the Filipino community in Toronto, Canada, is Miss Bingo Plus Lucky. Image: Philippine Daily Inquirer/Armin P. Adina

The 2022 Miss Philippines Earth preliminary judging for “form and figure” and official presentation to the press will take place at the Grand Fountain of Okada Manila in Parañaque City at 4 p.m. The activity will be streamed real-time on the pageant’s official Facebook page.

They will then fly to Coron, Palawan, for a series of environmental activities, and the coronation night which will be on Aug. 6. JB

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