MANILA, Philippines - For Filipinos, Miss Earth 2009 Sandra Seifert is this year’s sexiest vegetarian celebrity.
Seifert bested 353 male and female contenders in the country’s sexiest vegetarian celebrity contest, including former US President Bill Clinton, according to the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
The choices included local, Asian and other foreign celebrities.
Ashley Fruno, PETA senior campaigner, said Seifert garnered 759 votes during the voting period that started last April 26 and ended midnight of Tuesday, May 29.
Fruno said the winner would not be receiving any award or cash prize.
“Seifert would only have the pride of being the sexiest vegetarian and be a role model of compassion and living a healthy and humane diet,” Fruno said.
PETA said the former beauty queen narrowly beat Delara frontwoman Lougee Basabas, FHM cover models Alicia Mayer and Geneva Cruz, and Kapuso star Yasmien Kurdi for the title.
Other popular contenders included actors Chin-Chin Gutierrez and Raymond Bagatsing, newspaper columnists Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan and RJ Ledesma, and international stars Natalie Portman, Russell Brand, and Leona Lewis.
In a statement, the animal-rights group said the 28-year-old Seifert is an environmentalist and longtime vegetarian.
She was crowned Miss Philippines-Earth 2009 and represented the country at the Miss Earth international pageant, where she was crowned Miss Earth Air (first runner-up).
She has also graced the covers and pages of many magazines.
Seifert recently starred in an ad for PETA that featured her posing nearly naked and painted like the Earth next to the tagline “Save the Planet, Go Vegetarian.”
“Meat production has a devastating impact on the environment,” Seifert said.
“With so many alternatives to meat available, it’s easier than ever to enjoy great food while saving animals and the Earth. Going vegetarian is the best thing that we can do to save the planet.”
PETA Asia vice president Jason Baker said: “There’s no easier way to put passion in your life than to put compassion in your diet... Sandra knows that going vegetarian is the best thing that you can do for animals, the Earth, and your health. Plus, she’s living proof that being vegan keeps you slim and sexy.”
The complete list of vegetarian celebrities who were in the running in this year’s contest is available at PETAAsiaPacific.com.