By Raymart Escopel
AFTER facing controversies during the past weeks, Miss Philippines-Earth 2014 has finally concluded. The pageant hailed 19-year-old beauty pageant veteran Jamie Herrell of Cebu City as this year’s victor besting out 49 equally beautiful and witty ladies. The coronation night was held at SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Sunday.
The newly-declared Miss Philippines-Earth 2014 is a self-proclaimed animal rights advocate.
Herrell, one of the early favorites, has already won various special awards and topped a series of challenges during the pre-pageant events.
During the Reality in ME pre-pageant challenge, she was able to win five gold medals in the Darling of the Press, Fun for a Cause, Resort Wear, Swimsuit and Cultural Wear competitions.
In the highly-anticipated Question and Answer portion, Herrell was asked by former Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros the question: “Do you think that we, human beings, have been good children to Mother Earth?”
The beauty queen answered the question with much grace. She said, “Honestly, in my opinion, we haven’t been good children. In fact, I believe that we are the number one cause of her problems, we are the reason why we’re having climate change, and we are the reason why we’re having floods. But in return, if we can only help her and salvage her, she will help us back and take care of us too.” Herrell’s award-winning answer received a big applause and yells from the audience.
Joining her in the royal line up of this year’s winners were Diane Querrer of Tanauan, Batangas who won as Miss Philippines-Air 2014; Kimberly Covert of Dumaguete, Negros Occidental as Miss Philippines-Earth Water 2014; Bianca Paz of Gapan, Nueva Ecija as Miss Philippines-Fire; and Monique Manuel of Dinalupihan, Bataan as Miss Philippines-Earth Eco-Tourism 2014.
Meanwhile, Ilongga candidates Maria Bencelle Bianzon representing Dueñas, Iloilo and Janica Ella Hondrade representing Iloilo City also did great during the pageant. In fact, Bianzon even made it to the top 10. Hondrade on the other hand, represented Iloilo well, being the current title holder of Miss Paraw Regatta./PN
