Miss Earth delegates. Images from Armin P. Adina
MANILA, Philippines — This year’s batch of Miss Earth delegates has had an exhausting stay in the country, with a punishing schedule that saw them traveling to different destinations in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao in just over a week. But the international beauties are tapping into different motivations to power them through the competition all the way to the end.
“I think what keeps me going is, of course, the girls, their drive, and also the support I have from my family,” Canada’s Jessica Cianchino told the Inquirer during a tree-planting activity at the future site of The Forum, an Information Technology Park in Batangas City being developed by Pontefino.
“If not for my family, I wouldn’t be where I am today. So I’m doing this for them, I’m doing this for myself, and I’m doing this for my country,” continued the Canadian-Filipino, who was also proclaimed Miss Pontefino Hotel during an auxiliary event held in Batangas, just after they visited Romblon in the Visayas and Zamboanga City in Mindanao.
For Colombia’s Andrea Aguilera, who was a Top 13 finisher in the 2021 Miss World pageant that concluded just earlier this year, representing her country on the international stage keeps her going.
“This is not Andrea Aguilera anymore, so I have a big responsibility that I face with so much love and passion. And it keeps me always happy and motivated and energetic, and be a voice for environmental protection. So I think it’s my country and of course environmental cause,” she shared.
News anchor Karina Basrewan from Indonesia said, “I still want to keep pushing because I do have the heart to really want to change and make a great impact, not just in Indonesia, but in the world. And I see this as the unity between me and my sisters from 85 different countries, how we can create relations, a bond that could go even beyond the two and a half weeks, and how we can work together long term to make sure the Earth is a better place.”
Cuba’s Sheyla Ravelo cites her “grateful heart” for giving her the strength to go on. “This is incredible, we are in a new country representing our respective countries, really on a vacation, getting to see all the beautiful sites with the red carpet rolled out everywhere we go, so much hospitality,” she said.
She also said being a long-time eco activist, her drive to save the planet powers her through the hardships. “You have to have a ‘why.’ If you don’t have a strong reason for being here, and then sometimes things can fall out of sight or they might not seem worth it anymore. And my why is my environmental advocacy,” she explained.
Australia’s Sheridan Mortlock credits the Filipino people. “Every time we rock up a new location, they are so excited to greet us and so happy and so hospitable. So you just can’t help but smile back and be excited as well,” she said.
The student of global sustainability and politics also said she gets her strength from her “Miss Earth sisters,” her fellow delegates. “I’ve been able to connect really well with some of them, and so we keep each other’s spirits up,” she continued.
The 2022 Miss Earth coronation program will be staged at Cove Manila on Nov. 29, where reigning queen Destiny Wagner from Belize will turn over her crown to her successor.
To date, four Filipino women have received the title—Karla Henry in 2008, Jamie Herrell in 2014, Angelia Ong in 2015, and Karen Ibasco in 2017.
This year, American-Filipino psychology student Jenny Ramp from the province of Tarlac is representing the country in the annual pageant. EDV