Fil-German from Palawan is new Miss Philippines Earth

CEBU, Philippines - A Fil-German beauty who calls Puerto Princesa City of Palawan her hometown was crowned Miss Philippines Earth in a Filipino-themed coronation night held Saturday at the University of the Philippines Theater in Quezon City.

 Imelda Bautista Schweighart, 21, bested 45 other candidates from all over the country and from overseas Filipino communities to take on the unprecedented task of nabbing a third straight Miss Earth crown for the Philippines come October. Jamie Herrell won the Miss Earth crown in 2014 while Angelia Gabrena Ong managed a back-to-back last year.

 During the final Q&A, the top five were asked how they would like incoming President Rodrigo Duterte to help further their individual environmental causes.

 Schweighart’s reply was, “My advocacy is banning genetically modified organisms (GMO) because I believe in natural food in order to feed our mind, body, and soul. So if we really want to feed our minds and become smarter, let’s support banning GMO. At the same time, I would like to encourage him to put bike lanes here in Manila and I would take him to Puerto Princesa to show him how clean our place is.”

Now on its 16th year, Miss Philippines Earth is a pageant founded in the Philippines and has environmental protection as its main advocacy.

Schweighart is no stranger to beauty tilts, having joined She Binibinibing Pilipinas in 2013. She also placed second in Miss Palawan and is the  reigning Miss Puerto Princesa.

Schweighart’s closest contender was Kiara Giel Gregorio from the Filipino community in London, who placed second and was proclaimed Miss Philippines-Air. She was also awarded Miss Hana Shampoo and Miss Oasis Dental.

Loren Artejos from Laoag was named Miss Philippines-Water while Shannon Rebecca Bridgman from Rosales, Pangasinan was Miss Philippines-Fire. Melanie Mader from the Filipino community in Vienna was declared Miss Philippines-Ecotourism. (FREEMAN)