Imelda Bautista Schweighart, a Filipino German, bested 47 environmental representatives from around the country and Filipino communities abroad to win Miss Philippines Earth 2016 during the Philippine Independence Day-themed pageant finals last Saturday night at the UP Theater in Diliman, Quezon City.
With the world famous Banaue Rice Terraces as backdrop, the candidates came out on stage swaying to the patriotic song “Mga Kababayan Ko” clad in yellow, red and blue jeans, the colors of the national flag, with white Maria Clara top, showcasing the beauty, belief and tradition of the Filipino race and equating the Filipinos fight for our freedom to the fight for Earth’s survival.
Schweighart, a 21-year-old, student of Theater Arts at Meridian International, was crowned by last year’s titlist and reigning Miss Earth Angelia Gabrena Ong, who took her farewell walk in a stunning Leo Almodal blue gown. Schweighart and Ong have one thing in common as both were named Miss Photogenic at the Bb. Pilipinas pageant.
“My climate change advocacy is banning genetically modified organisms and genetically modified seeds, because I believe in natural food 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 in Manila, and I would invite him to Puerto Princesa to show how clean our place is,” Imelda answered the Top 5 Q&A, “What assistance would they ask from President-elect Duterte on their climate change advocacy, if given the chance to talk one-on-one with him?” Imelda also bats for biking to minimize air pollution.
Schweighart’s court of honor include Miss Philippines Air 2016 Kiara Giel Gregorio (Filipino community in London, UK), Miss Philippines Water 2016 Loren Mar Artajos (Laoag City), Miss Philippines Fire 2016 Shannon Rebecca Bridgman (Pangasinan) and Miss Philippines Eco-Tourism 2016 Melanie Mader (Filipino community of Vienna, Austria). Gregorio won as Miss Hanna shampoo
The Top 12 semi-finalists also included Charinna Barro of Cagayan de Oro City, Athena Mari Catriz of San Pedro City, Jessica Madeline Zevenbergen of Negros Occidental, Joanna Rose Tolledo of Caloocan City, Maria Fatima Al-sowyed of Dumaguete City, Krissandra Marie Abel of Lobo, Batangas and Bellatrix Tan of Zamboanga City who committed a “boo-boo” when she said “If we start now (planting trees), we will achieve La Niña,” during her Top 12 hashtag Q&A on the meaning of El Niño and La Niña.
Abel was named Miss Eco-Warrior while Eva Eunice Reinoso of City of Alaminos was named Miss SM Market. Jan Louise Abejero of Quezon City was awarded Best Eco-Video while “Muntinlupa City” of April Angelique Arciaga was named Best Community Project Award. Al Shamir Abdul won for Rhea Doll Gonzalo of Jolo, Sulu the Best Terno Designer Award.
The Miss Philippines Earth 2016 judges included SM Markets SVP Ramil Acosta, CNN-Phil. News anchor Pinky Webb, Miss Earth 2004 Priscilla Meirelles-Estrada, Manila Diamond Hotel Manager Jorge Reynoso, Spouse Heads of Mission President Agnes Roscigno, Jancen Cosmetic Medical Director John Cenica, Peerless SVP Japser Tiu, Greenest Person of the Planet Matthias Gelber, the Chairman of the Board, and Carousel Productions EVP Lorraine Schuck. The pageant was hosted by Robi Domingo, Cathy Untalan-Vital, Sandra Seifert and Stephany Stefanowitz and was telecast over ABS CBN on June 12.
“It’s the first time in history that Puerto Princesa won the Miss Earth crown! I asked God to take place in my temple. He did. I’m always questioned and victimized by racial bullying. I grew up in the Philippines and it’s definitely not fair to treat me otherwise. I speak the language, my whole family are Filipinos except my father. To fight for my race as a Filipino is showing how I respect my Filipino blood. I was bullied all throughout the pageant but it has paid off. If you watch our competition from start to finish, I displayed proficient work. God bless us Filipinos,” Imelda said in a statement after her big win.
In an interview during the pageant’s press presentation, Schweighart, without batting an eyelash, said that she is going to be Miss Earth. With the Philippines 2014-2015, back-to back win of Jamie Herrell and Angela Ong, that is easier said than done. But with Schweighart’s beauty, intelligence, wit and charm, an unprecedented three-peat could be achieved. Photos: Teddy Pelaez