Beautiful bombshells strutting their stuff for the environment.That too in swimsuits and in national costumes a la Miss Universe. Surely, conservationists must be gnashing their teeth. Nevertheless, a contest of that type was held in Quezon City in the Philippines on 28 October. You can get a ringside view of what happened by tuning into the Miss Earth Pageant on Star World on Friday 30 November. The show was held at the UP Theatre and had participation from 42 countries.
Miss Earth 2001 Catharine Svensson of Denmark (second from the left) (from left to right) Miss Argentina Daniella Stucan who won as Miss Earth Fire (3rd runner-up), Miss Brazil Simone Regis, the Miss Earth Air (first runner-up) and Miss Kazakhstan Margarita Kravstova who won as Miss Earth Water (2nd runner-up).
The winner a certain Miss Denmark walked away with the Miss Earth crown and $20,000 in cash, apart from other takings. The first and second runners-up, won the Miss Earth Air and Miss Earth Water titles, while the third runner up was crowned Miss Earth Fire crown. The first and second runners-up pocketed $ 2,500.00
The show was hosted by Jaime Gachitorena with popular Channel V VJ Asha Gill and Miss Asia-Pacific 1997 Emma Suwanalat of Thailand serving as co-hosts. The 42 beauties had a happy go lucky time interacting with Mother Nature and soaking in the natural beauty of the Phillipines. They also spoke with environmental personnel and activists in the country. The opening ceremony which had the the contestants wearing their National Costumes ranging from simple European desgins threads to native clothing from Africa and Asia. One of the pre-pageant awards was won by Miss India Shamita Singha in the National Costume category.
The Miss Earth Pageant had its fair share of controversy. Charges of racisim were hurled at the Miss Ponds Rosy White Skin competition which was won by Miss Estonia Evelyn Mikomagi. The critics carped that Africa had no chance of winning this award since it was meant for those possessing fair skin.
The Miss Earth Show airing on Star World features interviews with the ten semifinalists who had to describe what selected pictures meant for them, all of which concerned the environment. One picture showed an area affected by drought while another showed a man chopping down a tree. Miss Brazil Simone Regis spoke about the importance of preserving the Amazon.
There was also the swimsuit competition which had the contestants wearing similar Avon swimsuits with blue wavy design and the gown segment.
The finale had the five finalists tackling the question "Technology makes life very easy but it is to blame for certain environmental problems. How do you find solutions to balance technology and earth preservation."
