Yllana Aduana, Iona Gibbs gush over their PH sash in Miss Earth, Miss Intercontinental pageants

Miss Philippines Earth Yllana Marie Aduana and Mutya ng Pilipinas Iona Gibbs. Image: Facebook/Yllana Marie Aduana, Iona Gibbs

MANILA, Philippines—Two Filipino representatives in separate international pageants taking place in different continents this month got emotional as they received their respective sashes bearing the country’s name.

“Today I am officially sashed [Philippine flag emoji][orange heart emoji][crown emoji],” Miss Philippines Earth Yllana Marie Aduana posted on social media showing her photo taken from Vietnam. Mutya ng Pilipinas Iona Gibbs wrote, “Mga kababayan, I’m officially yours [flaming heart emoji][Philippine flag emoji],” with an image of her taken in Egypt.

Aduana is in Ho Chi Minh City for the 23rd Miss Earth pageant, on a quest to assert the Philippines’ dominance in the environment-themed international competition based in Manila. The country amassed the most wins in the contest with four titleholders, and she hopes to become the fifth Filipino woman to take the crown.

“Representing my beloved PHILIPPINES for the FIRST time on an international stage for my FIRST love is a surreal feeling [Philippine flag emoji][orange heart emoji][Earth emoji],” she continued. Aduana’s first foray on the national pageant stage was in the virtual staging of the 2021 Miss Philippines Earth competition. She returned this year, and easily snagged the title.

Gibbs, meanwhile, will try to give the Mutya ng Pilipinas pageant its first Miss Intercontinental victory. The national organization reacquired the franchise for the global tilt this year and appointed her to compete for the international crown. The two Filipino women who captured the title in the past were fielded by the Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc.—Karen Gallman (2018) and Cinderella Faye Obeñita (2021).

“To finally be sashed as a Miss Philippines is the greatest honor. I have always held my beautiful Philippines within my heart, but to officially wear it upon my heart amongst all of the continents is something completely new and insurmountably special,” Gibbs said.

“Mahal na mahal na MAHAL ko kayo! [white heart emoji] The honor is always and forever, mine [three Philippine flag emojis],” continued the singer from Bataan.

Gibbs will compete against 79 other women for the Miss Intercontinental crown, currently held by Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc from Vietnam. The new winner will be proclaimed in Sharm El Sheikh on Dec. 15 (Dec. 16 in Manila).

Aduana is among a field of 88 international delegates vying for the Miss Earth title. Reigning queen Mina Sue Choi from Korea will crown her successor at the Van Phuc City in Ho Chi Minh City on Dec. 22.