LET US HEED TO THE CLAMOR OF THE VOICES OF THE WOMEN OF THE EARTH

By Dominador Agbayani

Miss Earth Beauty Pageant has become more relevant after a harrowing and catastrophic event occurred in the Philippines recently. It is very ironic that the Miss Earth Beauty Pageant originated from the Philippines and yet with its eleven years of existence, administration officials seemed to have not been moved by the advocacies of the pageant. It seemed the pageant is just paying lip service to these advocacies and the real thrust of it is tourism. Although, the environmental advocacies run hand in hand with its tourism thrust, it seems the former is being left out in trying to create greater awareness. It would seem that a disaster of cataclysmic proportion would have to occur before anyone would move from their complacency. With the way things are going Miss Earth would still just be a voice – a haunting voice to awaken the slumbering officials to move in the direction of nature’s preservation and protection. As of now, we can see that the Miss Earth Organization is helping in the relief efforts for what had happened in Southern Philippines recently.

The catastrophe that the Philippines went through is a combination of a strong typhoon that dumped so much rain and inundated the lowlands. It came with mud and killed a lot of inhabitants. Two things are so glaring here. First, although typhoons occur during the December months in the Philippines, it is such a rarity. More so, typhoons in Northern Mindanao are very infrequent and sometimes nil. This they say is attributed to climate change. Climate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in average weather conditions or the distribution of events around that average (e.g., more or fewer extreme weather events). Second, the sudden rush of water that carried with it the topsoil and mud to the lowlands is attributed to the denudation of forest cover in the area. There are very few trees to absorb the volume of water that the typhoon had dumped into the place. Which brings us to the question, what mitigating measures have been done by the affected places in trying to curve the effects of climate change? Are there measures being done to preserve and protect the environment?

In an article by Mike Banos entitled “Cagayan de Oro should move further developments to higher ground”, recommendations on further development of the city were made. Foremost is to increase the forest cover area, meaning, a massive reforestation is suggested and waste water management so as not to contaminate groundwater which is a source of drinking water. It was noted by researchers from the University of the Philippines National Institute of Geological Sciences that floods have become more frequent and higher, in large part due to the 2000 hectares forest cover from its watershed which were converted to agriculture and other uses and never replaced. As a result, riverside areas suffer from poor water retention and contribute to the high sediment loads of rivers, constricting waterways and shallow river mouths. With these recommendations in the past, had there been efforts with the administration to answer these problems? From the looks of what had happened recently, there was none. Even rescue and relief efforts were wanting and the grim question to this reality is that where is Philippines going in its efforts to save the environment.

The problems confronting mother earth are real. It is not only occurring in the Philippines - it is worldwide. Let us heed to the clamor of the voices of the women of the earth.

JANUARY 2012 EDITORIAL: A NEW YEAR DAWNS IN PAGEANTRY

Last December we had a soft launch of our website and e-zine Queentessence. We mean soft because we just want to get the feel of how pageantry will accept our new endeavors. Being new in the block, we want to establish our own niche. We have decided therefore to fill in the void of putting another eye to the ruckus that is usually created by the pageant buzz year in year out. For the year 2012, we will come out every month and thus there will be 12 issues that will appear. And rest assured we will try to select and piece out issues that are worthy featuring and discussing.
 
By 2012, we would have our permanent website already where all our articles would be read once they are clicked and would be lead to the new site. But we will maintain our blogspot as we have started with them and have noted that surfers have visited and probably read them.

We hope also that as we evolve in the coming months, we enjoin all readers your ideas and contributions and thus, we look forward to guest posts not only those from friends, colleagues but also from we would like to establish correspondences from other nationalities, regions and pageant enthusiasts whose main interest is beauty and pulchritude.

For this issue, we focused on Miss Earth as they have just finished their pageant last December. We note in this editorial how the Miss Earth Beauty Pageant had evolved through the years and thus had become the second most-awaited pageant in the world next to Miss Universe. Both pageants have been compared with one another but pageant followers should make the distinction that the two pageants are different in focus, strength and goals. Miss Earth as an organization has gone a long way. Every pageant year, it showcases the area’s fantastic natural resources. It focuses on the projects that is geared to protecting the environment and focus on the diverse communities that aim to make our Mother Earth a better place to live in. It has become a powerful voice to the global changes that is happening now. As an organization and production, it should strive for further excellence. It has already made a name in so short a time. Being on its steel year, it should remain tough with the challenges that it faces. It should remain tough in its vision and goals for a better Mother Earth for us to enjoy and the generations to come

We wish everyone a HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS 2012 NEW YEAR!

FASHION REVIEW

MISS EARTH 2011 TOP 8 LONG GOWN COMPETITION
By Lavinia Otilla

Everyone by now knew that Miss Mexico won the Best in Long Gown during the Long Gown Competition at the Fort Ilocandia Resort in Ilocos Norte.  As such, I would like to compare and contrast the gowns used by the Top 8 during the preliminary competition versus the one that they used in their Top 8 competition:

1. CRIMEA – Miss Crimea did not change gowns for the final competition. Do you think this was a good strategy for her? Well, I believe so. She carried the gown exceedingly well and the only bad part I saw in the gown are the flower accents.

2. ECUADOR – From a copy cat Turquoise gown, Miss Ecuador changed into a fully-sequinned and beaded gown. Although she looked ravishing in that turquoise gown, she made the right decision in that shift. She was entrancing and captivating in the white gown.

3. Miss Mexico – She did not change her gown in the finals. Well, for one, it won for her the Best in Long Gown Award. And besides, she was resplendent and stunning in that gown. Why change?  With an added confidence, she glided onstage as real pro. Unfortunately, she was deprived of that honour to make a repeat in the gown competition.

4. PHILIPPINES – she switched into a red fiery gown in the finals. Although she adequately carried the gown, Miss Philippines was overwhelmed by the other candidates performances. In reality, her white gown during the preliminaries was even much better but who can question further for a top 4 finish. We can rant and groan further but she did it. Period. Her styling in the final night was much better though. However, it could have been much better had she sported a high bun or a-la Sushmita Sen hairdo to make her look taller.

5. VENEZUELA – this girl is really a Goddess. She knows what to use and she knows how to project it. Although the gown she used in the finals is more elaborate than the preliminaries, she was both stunning in the orange and the fuchsia gown. Had she repeated the use of the gown, it would have the same effect as Miss Venezuela is a proficient and skillful beauty queen.

6. BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA – from a red flowing gown to a yellow gown. I believe Miss Bosnia-Herzegovina was more effective in the red simple gown than in the yellow gown ornately accentuated at the waistline.

7. ZIMBABWE – I prefer the preliminary gown of Miss Zimbabwe than the final competition gown. Although simple design by any standard, Miss Zimbabwe shone through the yellow gown. More so, when the lighting was dimmed during the final competition portion, she was poorly seen onscreen. Such an injustice to this sweet-looking lady.

8. BRAZIL – this is another girl that changed into another gown during the final competition night. If we are to look at it, the design of the dress of Miss Brazil during the preliminaries showed that it is a poor copy of the Miss Egypt Universe gown that was copied by Miss Venezuela in the Miss World Competition and this time, Miss Ecuador. The gowns have similar cut but this is a dud for Miss Brazil. She doesn’t look good with the gown. Now compare her with the shimmering silver gown with gold sequins and beads, her height was accentuated. Her figure was greatly appreciated and her totality was simply oozing with the so-called X-factor. Miss Brazil was the one everyone was looking for in a beautiful gown. It is a good decision to switch gowns at this stage.

Now if I have to rate the candidates in this section based on the gowns they used: Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela, Ecuador, Crimea, Philippines, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Zimbabwe in that order. The Top 4 would have an all-Latina show.




Photo Credits: Miss Earth Organization

THE RUTH OCUMAREZ AWARD GOES TO.....

By Alejandro Bustillos

The Ruth Ocumarez Award came into being when Miss Dominican Republic 2002 the first woman to win the title represented her country in the Miss Universe Pageant. Ocumarez was such a lively woman with so much charm and gifted with an ebony complexion. She had so much magnetism, personality and excellent interview skills that pageant enthusiasts placed her to enter the semifinal round, but alas, no Miss Dominican Republic was called. The Ruth Ocumarez Award then stucked as a term for pageant favorites in any beauty contest who did not enter the semifinalist circle.

In this year’s Miss Earth Beauty Pageant, there were two candidates who were touted to be crowned as possible Miss Earth – Miss Czech Republic and Miss India.

Miss Czech Republic, Sarka Cojocarova is the classic representation of beauty, grace, sexiness and lady demeanor. This 22 year old lass who was born in Syobodne Hermanice, Czech Republic speaks Russian, French, Spanish and English. She is into ballet dancing, playing volleyball & badminton, swimming, car driving, travelling, reading, history, and even cooking. In her portfolio, Sarka evokes different qualities such as sultriness, saccharine sweetness, provocativeness, earthiness, infusiveness, and elegance, timeless and modern aura. These are characteristics that any beauty pageant organizer is in search for. If they think that Sarka cannot put into words the vision and goals of Miss Earth because of poor communication skills, I bet, this is not the reason as she speaks 4 major languages in the world. More so, it would have been dramatic had a candidate acted as the interpreter of a fellow candidate in the question and answer portion.

Sarka would have been a very good interpreter for Miss Venezuela as she speaks Spanish fluently.

It could never be a poor body physique. Sarka brought the house down when she won the Best in Swimsuit Award. In her previous outings, Sarka showed to everyone how great her physique is. The swimsuit is one of her strengths.

Do you think she was edged out by a Productions’ list similar to the Trump Cards list of Miss Universe? Do you think she had prima donna attitude that had turned off organizers so that she prematurely eliminated? Or do you think she was overlooked? Overlooked? This can’t be the case because Sarka was in everyone’s list.

I can’t think of any reason why Sarka was not in the preliminary judges’ list. My hunch is that the Miss Earth Organization has its own list of possible winners and that they mirror the same prerogative just like any other pageant organizations like their Miss Universe counterparts.

What about Miss India, Hasleen Kaur? Hasleen was crowned by Femina Pantaloons Miss Earth India is 5’10-1/2” tall, a model and showed a lithely figure. Had Hasleen been the representative of India in the Miss Universe Beauty Pageant instead of Vasuki, she would have been a cinch for the crown. This was also what pageant experts were saying when they were one in saying that there would be a back to back victory for India in the Miss Earth Beauty Pageant this year.

Hasleen is very much like Sarka. In her profile pictures, she showed a very angelic face – a face that could launch a thousand ships. In her portfolio, Hasleen shows a haughtier demeanor. Her projection is fiery, sizzling and dazzling.

She may not be gifted in the bust area but her body is gracefully sculptured and with her height, complements this physique. 

If the reason would be her communication skills, I would probably say no. In my years in the beauty pageant scene, all Miss India’s that I have interviewed were all well-versed and that they can expound their thoughts and ideas. 

I believe that being Miss India is already a minus factor for Hasleen in the competition. Although it has happened in the past that a reigning Queen crowns her country successor in their global pageant, it is very and least likely to happen. Second, the haughty demeanor of Hasleen is n ot only for projection purposes. If what she did after her name was not called in the Top 16 is any indication, then there is truth to the buzz. This might be the reason why Miss India was not included in the magic circle.

Photo Credits: BeautyMania.biz, Zimbio

MISS EARTH 2011 PAGEANT REVIEW

ARE YOU FED UP? –A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF MISS EARTH 2011
By Jetset Alejandro


This review may well be summed up with the words FED UP. But the words may mean differently because the letters in the two words incorporate the adjectives Fun, Excitement, Disenchanting (or Dismaying and Disappointing), Unpleasant and Powerful in this edition of the Miss Earth Beauty 2011 Pageant.

Held again in Manila because the intended host Thailand is experiencing the enormous cascades of Mother Nature, in a span of two weeks with the least preparations, Miss Earth was staged last December 3, 2011 at the University of the Philippines Theater to almost a success. Let me group my review in the following manner:

1. PRESENTATION: It was done in some sort of a slide show. The candidates were shown in their national costume as a voice over enumerated the candidates alphabetically. My only comment here is that the music/sound track lacks the preparation of for high notch production number afterwards. I feel that the sound track used lacks appeal and thus relegated to an impressive presentation only.

2. HOSTS:   Jason Godfrey and Sonia Couling were adequate hosts. There were fumbles and some uneasiness as they seem not to jell with each other. There was even a part in the contest where Sonia has to pull the arms of Jason to call his attention to what she was saying. But above all, Jason and Sonia were 2 notches higher than previous hosts to the pageant.

3. QUESTION PORTION:  Take note I did not include the answer portion here. Although the candidates will answer just one question, they were translated into their language so that the candidates will easily understand the context of the question. This is quite ingenious.

Miss Earth 2011 Coronation Night hosts, Jason Godfrey and Sonia Couling.

1. MISS EARTH DECLARATION:  This year, the pageant introduced the “Miss Earth Declaration,” a manifesto in which the candidates pledged support for a common environmental mission to be implemented in their respective countries. I find this concept unique and at least you could see that this Miss Earth Beauty Pageant has a vision and a goal to achieve.

    2. STAGE: The stage was designed like the Puerto Princesa Underground River in Palawan. I have seen the UP Theater and has been there so many times and I am impressed with the way they built up the stage and made it appear so grand. Another remarkable feat.

3. JUDGES: There is an impressive cast of judges for this years’ Miss Earth.  They are as follows:  a.) Zubin Gandevia – Television Executive, Chief Operating Officer of Fox International Channels in Asia Pacific  and  Middle East; b.) Jean-Pierre Grivory – Perfumer, President Director General at Cofinluxe S.A. in France, creator of the world-famous Salvador Dali perfumes; c.) Philippe Charriol – Designer, Founder nad CEO of the Charriol Group, makers of Philippe Charriol Watches; d.) Nguyen Cong Khe – Newspaper Editor, Chairman of Thanh Nien Media Corporation, Director of the Ngyen Thain Binh Scholarship, Chairman and founder of the Vietnam Talent Fund; e.) Jacintor Ng Jr. – Entrepreneur, Director of Quantuvis Resources Corporation; 6.) Hon. Luis Crisologo Singson – Politician, Governor of the Province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines; 7.) Daniele Ponzi – Lead environmental specialist of the Asian Development Bank; 8.) Vivien Tan – Singer from Singapore, Host of Star Asia Travel , an Asia wide travel program for Star TV; 9.) Vivienne Tan – Environmental advocate, educator and social worker; 10) Patrick Durst – Senior forestry Officer for Asia and the Pacific of the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations; 11.)  Dave and Anthony Semerad, both college basketball players. There were voices in the wild arguing why so and so were selected as part of the board of judges. For me this retinue of pageant judges is so distinguished and need I say more? At least I did not see, Lorraine Shuck or Mr. Ramon Monzon sitting as the chairman of the board of judges.

The Miss Earth 2011 stage

4. TOP 8. The evening gown competition. Let us see the girls who qualified one by one here.

a.) Miss Crimea sashayed in a yellow-sequined gown which was accentuated with flowers at the waist line. She was resplendent in the gown but I did not like the flower accents.

b.) Miss Ecuador was in a white-sequined gown. Miss Ecuador was very bubbly and effervescent onstage. It felt like a turn-off for me because I see actuations like her in Miss Gay Beauty Pageants.

c.) Miss Mexico was equally dazzling in the gown that she won for in the Best in Long gown. It was a lace see-through gown and she mesmerizes everyone as she walked the stage.

d.) Miss Philippines in a red gown corset style ensemble. She adequately carried herself in the gown competition.

e.) Venezuela is in a fuschia pink gown. She was glittery so to speak as she used a glittery gown but she managed to shine all throughout the gown segment.

f.) Bosnia and Herzegovina used a bustier yellow gown which was accentuated with a corded lace at the waistline and a corded flower ensemble at the left side of the waist. Miss Bosnia and Herzegovina however did not shine through this portion of the pageant.

g.) I feel that Zimbabwe‘s gown complemented her color. But however, the lighting and camera focus did not do her any justice. More so, she felt uneasy while doing her turn in the stage with her evening gown. She almost tripped.

h.) Miss Brazil used a shimmering silvery gown with golden embellishment. She clearly upstaged everyone with her repartee in this portion of the pageant.

1. PRODUCTION NUMBER: The candidates were clad in Amazon costumes (I was told, different Filipino designers conceptualized and did the costumes of the candidates.)  as they gyrated and danced onstage. The presentation was exceptionally beautiful and all the girls were bubbly and enjoying themselves to the beat of the music. I noted one candidate fell down but eventually stood up and continued dancing as if nothing happened.  Impressive. That is what you call a professional performer. And to realize further that it was Miss Philippines who fell down and eventually copped a slot in the final 4. Hmmmmm….Another impressive and exciting performance is that of Miss South Africa who showed how good a gymnast she is with Miss USA, Ukraine and Japan showcasing their terpsichorean skills. The costumes, the performances and the showmanship were truly remarkable.  It was a grand party celebration.

2. INTERMISSION NUMBERS: The performers were superb including Christian Bautista. It added effect to the show.

1. CAMERA AND LIGHTING FOCUS – With a very lively and bubbly production number comes with the camera panning from one portion of the stage to another, we could see that it jars the screen and sometimes becomes out of focus. The lighting was a disaster. The dark stage effect which would eventually focus on the candidates performing on stage is not effective. One dark effect is enough. The TV is so dark that one’s appreciation to the whole proceedings was dampened. What is worst really is the dimming of the lights during the evening gown competition. Was it intentional to do that with Miss Zimbabwe? Enchanting production number but not totally because of camera and lighting focus. Hence, the disenchanting tag.

2. TOP 16.  The Top 16 candidates were announced. As the candidates were announced one by one, people’s breaths were suspended as they waited for their favorite Miss Czech Republic to be announced. Not until the last semi-finalist name was called, Czech Republic and India fans were dumb founded how their candidates were eased out from the Top 16. It was gloom and further gloom among the pageant fans expecting for these two candidates to slug it out in the Top 16. Let us make a review of who were the candidates called to the Top 16; Ukraine, Paraguay, Japan, Portugal, Sweden, Brazil, Venezuela, Chinese Taipei, Crimea, Zimbabwe, Thailand, Slovenia, Mexico, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ecuador and Philippines.

1.      Ukraine – beautiful, good body and she did a pirouette turn during the swimsuit segment and she was awesome.

2.   Paraguay – a personal favorite. She exuded with charisma, beauty and grace. And oh my, what a body – toned and with those abs. Her catwalk skills are unquestionable.

3.   Japan – looks very pretty but her hip is a little wide and her legs seem to be short hence, the disproportion from afar.

4.      Portugal – very pretty but not so good body physique.

5.      Sweden – I missed this girl in my selection of personal favorites. I was probably so charmed with Miss Czech Republic that’s why. But looking at her closely, she was very beautiful with good body and very personable.

6.      Brazil – this girl has it all. Beauty Diva. Haughty projection.  Tall and with a beautiful body.

7.      Venezuela – this is another “IT” girl. She is it. Good walk. Good body. I just did not like the way her hair was styled. She could have been more styled differently. But why is it that I am getting a Vanessa Goncalves aura from her. Look at the way she moved and projected. Are all Venezuelan girls trained the same way that they all look like clones?

8.     Chinese Taipei – I love this beautiful faced girl. She is so vivacious onstage. But gifted with such a beautiful face, she should have toned her body well.

9.    Crimea- although she is not in my list of favorites, this girl showed little punk onstage. Her body curves were wanting. Probably the first time candidate syndrome is at work here.

10.  Zimbabwe – again this girl is not in my personal list. I probably would have glossed over her during the preliminary presentations. I was really wondering why the fans love her. Well, they have a reason. On closer look, this girl is so saccharine sweet in her demeanor without trying to. Her projection onstage is so captivating and thus, I am not surprised why she made it to the Top 16.

11.  Thailand – tall and voluptuous. She knows her good angles. I am really wondering why she made it this far. Was it because her country should have been the host and thus the apparent sash factor playing out here?

12.  Slovenia- she is pretty though. But I am still wondering how she qualified for a Top 16 slot. Her body is not toned and that she seemed so uncomfortable strutting onstage. Or she is having a stage fright that time?

13.  Mexico – oh oh. What a dusky beauty. Tall, well-toned, good catwalk, what more could you ask for? She is one of my favorites for the crown.

14.  Bosnia and Herzegovina – Beautiful girl but I find her to have strong facial features so in the listing of my choices, I went for sweet looking faces like England and Guam. But this girl has a good body, good ramp skills and good overall projection.

15.  Ecuador – she is overacting. I think she knows that she is a top favorite. She glided on stage as if she owns it. She has good catwalk skills and projection but her body does not speak well for her. She lacks the curves that Brazil and Venezuela have.

16. Philippines - Great presentation Athena. I have this theory to make. Let us discard the sash factor hypothesis in Athena’s inclusion to the Top 16. I believe that Athena is a demi-god. In Greek Mythology, Athena is the Greek Goddess of wisdom, war, the arts, industry, justice and skills. She was the favorite child of Zeus. Since our Athena here, in this case Athena Imperial lives in the Philippines, she could have been sired by a Greek God through a mortal. And since Athena is a favorite of Zeus, the gods have bestowed the best placement for their favorite.

Now based on this swimsuit round and presentation, my personal choices to enter the round of eight are the following: Paraguay, Sweden, Brazil, Venezuela, Zimbabwe, Mexico, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Ecuador. 

Now the real list showed the following: Crimea, Ecuador, Mexico, Philippines, Venezuela, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Zimbabwe and Brazil. So based on my choices, I got 6 out of 8 going to the Long Gown competition. My note here is that the best bodies of the competition did not enter the Top 8. So what are the criteria for this round? Is it still the facial beauty? Or are gods at Mount Olympus playing their games and betting that their favorite girl will still win it all? I give Top 16 a disenchanting tag because 6 is a good batting average despite Mt. Olympus playful activities.

1. The TOP 4 is a cause for dismay. I have no question about the Top 3 choices in the person of Ecuador, Brazil and Venezuela. But Miss Philippines inclusion to the Top 4 is really a stinger. I do not have anything against Athena. I believe it is her luck that night. What I really could not understand is that Miss Mexico did not get into the Magic Circle when the Top 8 competition is supposed to be her strength as she was awarded the Best in Long Gown. I know that this is just a special award and might not have any bearing among the final judges choices but I believe, she did exceptionally well during this segment.

2.  The ANSWER PORTION of the segment Question and Answer Portion is another disaster. The interpreter of Miss Venezuela botched her final chances to the crown. However, the judges should take into consideration what the interpreter had done. Why punish Miss Venezuela when in fact it is an interpreter’s fault. On the other hand, Miss Brazil made a lengthy answer and the interpreter did a very emphatic translation. Miss Ecuador made a very superficial answer while Miss Philippines tried to impress the judges with her knowledge about education and the environment. But her answer seemed lacking in sincerity.  If I were to choose the winners, it would have to be Miss Brazil, then Miss Venezuela, then Ecuador and lastly, Miss Philippines. I guess, Miss Brazil did not get the nod of the judges because of her prima donna ways while Venezuela’s demeanor seemed like a façade always.

Miss Earth 2011 Top 4 Finalists

3. The DEPORTMENT of the Top 4. There seemed to be only 2 real people happy with the way the pageant resulted to. Of course, we expect Miss Ecuador to be obliviously happy and Miss Philippines who is so happy to be just in the Top 16 but was catapulted to the Top 4. When Miss Venezuela was announced as Miss Fire, there was a tinge of disappointment in her face which was practically caught on camera. Then after realizing it probably, she smiled and walk to her place as Miss Fire. It is the same thing with Miss Brazil. Her countenance surely showed how she felt so bad with the result of the contest. I was observing her until the camera closed its shutter and the facial expression never changed.

Miss Earth 2011 winners - From left to right: Miss Earth-Water 2011, Athena Imperial of the Philippines; Miss Earth 2011, Olga Alava of Ecuador; Miss Earth-Air 2011, Dreily Bennettone of Brazil and Miss Earth-Fire 2011, Caroline Medina of Venezuela.

The Miss Earth Beauty Pageant has become a very powerful venue to spouse and advocate environmental issues. In this year’s edition, there is an attempt among the candidates to learn and study their own countries’ attempt to save the last remaining frontiers of their environment. And true enough, they took education as a powerful tool to disseminate the need to protect and preserve the bounties of Mother Earth because in so doing, the future of nations rest on us today. Either we forsake the future and totally lose this planet we live in.

Despite my criticisms to the 2011 presentation edition of Miss Earth, I truly enjoyed it. That’s the power that you should retain for next year’s pageant in Vietnam. Unfortunately, I would not be around to attend the pageant as I used to do when I was still there in the Philippines.






Photo Credits: Miss Earth Organization

COVER STORY: OLGA ALAVA

AN ECUADORIAN BEAUTY THAT CONQUERED THE EARTH
By Raphael Porciuncula

If it were a track and field relay contest, Ecuador made a rush and a burst of fire and energy at the 3rd bend, clutching honors along the way as it snatched the Miss International 2011 title and capped the event with another title as Olga Mercedes Alava Vargas was crowned Miss Earth 2011.

It seemed everything was providential to this beauty from Ecuador. She was 4th in the Miss Ecuador beauty pageant. The title or the first rank Claudia Schiess went to represent the country to the Miss Universe Beauty Pageant, while the second in rank Veronica Vargas competed in Miss World 2011 and the third in Rank Fernanda Cornejo competed at the Miss International Beauty Pageant 2011 where she was crowned as the winner. Olga, was handpicked by the Diosas Escuela de Misses to represent her country in the 2011 Reina Hispanoamericana because the title holder was still representing the country at the Miss Universe Beauty Pageant. Her star started to shine that time as she placed second runner-up.

Above picture: Olga (second from right) with the Top 3 winners of Miss Ecuador 2011

Bottom pictures - Left: Olga (second from left) during the Miss Hispanoamericana 2011 pageant where she ended up as 2nd runner-up; Right: Olga as Miss Ecuador Earth 2011.

Olga’s participation to the Miss Earth Beauty pageant was still not guaranteed but Jose Hidalgo the director of the official licensee for the Miss Earth Ecuador chose her to represent the country and now it has become history, Olga Mercedes Alava Vargas became the Miss Earth 2011 crowned by Nicole Faria of India in a pageant of glitz and glam held at the University the Philippines Theater last December 3, 2011.

Miss Earth 2010 Nicole Faria crowning Olga Alava as the new Miss Earth 2011.

What could have tilted the favour to this candidate of Ecuador to win the crown when majority of pageant fans pointed towards Miss Czech Republic as the new Miss Earth? If you had watched the pageant, one can already become aware of the answer. We saw a Miss Ecuador who glided and was vivacious onstage. We saw a Miss Ecuador who was enjoying the pageant and was interacting with the audience. We saw Miss Ecuador owning the stage.

Above pictures: From left to right - Olga's reaction when she was called into the Top 16 semi-finalists; During the Top 16 swimsuit competition and during the Top 8 long gown competition. Bottom pictures - Left: During the Top 4 finalists interview; Right: Olga as the new Miss Earth 2011.

Although many pundits believe that Miss Brazil gave a much better answer than her or even Venezuela, this girl who was born in Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador had other pluses in her sleeve. She is a songwriter, fashion model cum designer and a TV personality. She had a Bachelor of Arts in International Business and speaks Spanish, English and Mandarin. Mandarin? Yes, she has lived in China for a year. Therefore it is not a surprise that with her multicultural upbringing, Miss Ecuador was well-loved by her co-contestants.

Olga is not just the typical beauty queen that we always see. This 5’8”, 35”-24”-36” almost perfect-shaped beauty grew up with a simple but happy childhood. She values her family as they have stood the test of times. They have remained united and strong and that she equates her family to that of the earth. Like the family, it maintains us and the people we love. She said that without Mother Earth, families and people would not be alive and hence, it is our responsibility to protect and preserve it. She knows the fight against the great environmental problems and hence it is part of her advocacies. Olga advocated for preserving and protecting the forests through reforestation. For her, in order to reach out to a greater number of people, we must use education to teach them of the need to preserve the forests. It is imperative to teach the children and the teenagers about these things as they are the ones that will inherit the future.

Close to Olga’s heart concerning environmental protection are the jungles of the Amazon, Galapagos Islands and the National Park Yasuni – her country’s contribution to the biodiversity of the Mother Earth. As such, she said, she will promote her country as complement to the world and complete with a sustainable development that the future generation will enjoy and cherish. True to her zodiac sign Aquarius, Olga is an optimist and futuristic person. She always sees that better things yet to come. She loves to swim and this is a reflection of her idealism of the new life that the future promises. However, she says even though she is an optimist, she is always grounded in reality and that because of her creativity and imaginativeness, she makes things happen to a more positive outcome.

The Miss Earth Organization looks to a very fruitful and positive year with a new queen like OLGA MERCEDES ALAVA VARGAS.

MISS ECUADOR WINS MISS EARTH 2011 TITLE

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It is two in a row for Ecuador. In the recently concluded Miss International 2011 Beauty Pageant held in China, a Barbie-doll look-alike was crowned Miss International. In this year’s edition of Miss Earth, another Ecuadorian beauty, Olga Alava snatched the title amidst glitz, pomp and glamour. Olga’s win proved to a lot of pundits that they were wrong. Most observers predicted Miss Czech Republic’s eventual win but she failed to even enter the Top 16.

The Miss Earth 2011 Beauty Pageant was held at the University of the Philippines Theatre in Diliman, Quezon city, Philippines , its 11^th edition after a change of venue which was supposed to be in Bangkok, Thailand. The staging of Miss Earth in Thailand was cancelled because floods have started to get into the capital and it will surely ruin all the activities that were line-up for the pageant.

Back to its home base, Miss Earth 2011 organizers were able to come up with various worthwhile activities. The different activities of the competition highlighted the Philippines’ touristic spots. The girls had a taste of the Philippine North in Ilocos Norte (Pagudpud, Laoag City and Vigan). They were as well involved to different environmental undertakings in Manila and had glimpse of Tarlac province. They were also awed by the breath taking sceneries in the South like Batangas and Camarines Sur. Far down South, they were also taken to Davao and enjoyed the amenities of the Pearl Farm. All the while, the candidates mesmerized the adoring crowd and anywhere they go, a throng of pageant fans are always present to give them the warm welcome of the Fiesta Islands.

It was both excitement and disappointment for the fans as the Top 16 were one by one announced. The excitement grew as the last 3 candidates were to be announced. People were clamouring for Miss Czech Republic and India and there seemed to silence and awe when the last candidate announced was Miss Philippines. Cheers broke out when people realized that the hometown girl made it to the Top 16. At this juncture, eyes were focused on Miss Ecuador who seemed to be out of nowhere was the shining star. Venezuela, Brazil, Paraguay and Mexico seemed not deterred with the results of the Top 16. The Top 16 were Ukraine, Paraguay, Japan, Portugal, Sweden, Brazil, Venezuela, Chinese Taipei, Crimea, Zimbabwe, Thailand, Slovenia, Mexico, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ecuador and Philippines.

The swimsuit round was but nothing but a statement of the candidates previous performances. Candidates that made the round were Crimea, Ecuador, Mexico, Philippines, Venezuela, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Zimbabwe and Brazil. For me this round was topped by Miss Brazil followed by Miss Ecuador. Crimea was an outcast here as Paraguay, a personal favourite was a much better choice than her. Chinese Taipei would even be a better alternative. But this is a contest where the judges’ decision prevails.

The final round for Miss Earth 2011 was something exquisite. The gowns were wonderful. Miss Ecuador was resplendent in a white sequinned gown. Miss Brazil donned a silver and white sequinned gown while Miss Philippines seemed to tower above all else with her gorgeous red gown. Miss Venezuela used a pink sequinned gown as the crowd showed her appreciation to her.

Going to the Top 4, to everyone’s surprise, the Philippines was called to be a part of the final list. Thundering applause broke out again with some sighs of dissatisfaction was felt. It would seem to everyone that Miss Brazil and Venezuela will slug it out for the Top 2 slots. Brazil having the edge because of her height, queenly but haughty demeanour but alas, Miss Ecuador cannot be denied her chance to the crown. She upstaged the early favourites and even Miss Philippines with her impassioned answer relegated Miss Venezuela to a lower position hence the third place rank for her.

Reigning Miss Earth 2010 Nicole Faria looked dazzling and she donned a traditional Indian outfit by Indian designer Ritu Kumar in her farewalk. She crowned her successor Miss Ecuador, Olga Alava as Miss Earth 2011. Driely Bennettone of Brazil was announced Miss Earth-Air 2011, Miss Philippines, Athena Mae Imperial was Miss Earth-Water 2011, while Miss Earth-Fire 2011 was awarded to Caroline Medina of Venezuela.

The 12th Miss Earth pageant is scheduled for December 2012 at Ninh Thuan in Vietnam.

AN INSIGHT ABOUT THE NATIONAL COSTUME USED BY OUR CANDIDATES IN THEIR INTERNATIONAL PAGEANT

By Alejandro Bustillos

1. Aileen “Leng” Damiles - represented our country in 1996 in the Miss Universe Beauty Pageant. In the national costume presentation, Aileen sported an Igorot costume with matching layers of pots.  The costume was derived from the Kalinga “banga” dance (The Pot Dance). Igorot maidens go to the river and prepare for a marriage ceremony. They display not only their grace and agility, but also their stamina and strength as they go about their daily task of fetching water and balancing the banga, claypots full of water, on their heads. Miss Damiles’ costume tries to be culturally correct and represented the Kalinga’s of the Cordilleras.
   
   

   
   
   
2. Maricar Balagtas’ represented the Philippines in the Miss Universe Beauty Pageant 2004 in  Quito, Ecuador. She wore a costume that became a controversial topic among pageant gurus and newbies. Some liked it and some abhorred it.  It allegedly represented the Pintados of the Visayas. The Pintados ("painted") is a term applied to the inhabitants of the Visayas during the Spanish colonization of the Philippines. The name was given to them because they painted their bodies with red clay--or, as some writers say, on account of their being tattooed. Both men and women wear their hair long and fastened in a knot on the crown of the head. The men tattoo their entire bodies with very beautiful figures, using small pieces of iron dipped in ink. This ink incorporates itself with the blood, and the marks are indelible. One can see a poor depiction of the pintados concept in the costume of Ms. Balagtas. In the original depiction (center photo), the Pintados are tattooed all over their bodies.  On the other hand, do you think the inspiration by Barraza is the Igorots? Igorot women in the past are tattooed especially in the upper torso. You can see the third picture of an Igorot maiden who is dancing the “Banga” and is supposed to be tattooed. Whether Barraza’s inspiration is the pintados of the Visayas or the Igorots of the Cordilleras, the presentation is basically a bastardized representation. The upper portion and would have been a fair representation of the tattooed ethnic women of the Philippines but when he included a skirt adorned with flowers, it had become a hodge-podge creation of a designer who is poorly guided with Philippine culture.
   
   
   
   
   
3. Charlene Gonzales’ costume in 1994 at the Miss Universe Beauty Pageant in the Philippines is ethnic inspired. It is very similar to those costumes paraded during the Kaamulan Festival in Bukidnon. The costume is culturally correct and universal in appeal. It is no wonder it won as the best in national costume during the pageant. Now let us see, Nina Ricci Alagao’s national costume during the Miss Universe competition in Cyprus.  The costume’s cut is ethnically inspired. Instead of a headdress like that of Charlene, the designer used the “salakot” as the headdress. But my goodness, the headdress looked like lampshade. It is poor copy and concept of a costume as you can see from the right hand side picture.  Instead of being a national costume, it became a carnival costume...
   
   
   
   
   
4. Fiesta Carnival Motiff – Obviously, despite the fact that a Mirriam and Carla Gay’s national costume is patterned after the terno, it was very obvious that they have the fiesta carnival imprint on them. On Mirriam’s costume, there is the intent to project the Reyna Emperatriz with her headdress. However, it deteriorated to the fiesta carnival category when peacock feathers were added as props and effects. It also reminded me of a terno made by a designer for Miss Israel during the Miss Universe 1994. Carla Gay’s pineapple costume has all the trappings of a carnival costume. It appears very appealing and engaging but it does not radiate the Filipino soul as one pageant writer underscored it.  Jewel Lobaton’s costume was unthinkably Filipino. It has all the festival feeling on. The headdress and the dress itself is very Latina in concept.  Teresa Licaros’ costume appears to be Maria Clara in concept. However, it added another feature that of the Mask reminiscent of the Masskara Festival of Bacolod City. The bouffant and colourful skirt added a festival ambiance to the costume.  Three of these costumes are of Barraza and Jewel Lobaton’s costume was made by a Filipino designer. Now, we can the result with a Latin country fashion designer conceptualizing a Filipino costume and a Filipino designer conceptualizing a Latin country costume. The result is similar to a carnival festival costume.
   
   
   
   
   
5. Karen Loren Agustin’s costume was a Maria Clara dress with the famous Manton de Manila.  The inspiration of course is Manton de Manila which is a dance in which an important prop called the manton, an ornately embellished silk shawl that was brought to Manila through the galleon trade. The dance is characterized by a strong Spanish influence. The women manipulate the shawl with grace and skill while the men play tambourines and execute zapateados. Barraza did well to create this costume probably because of its Spanish influence. However, the accessorizing such as the earring did not come true to form. However, at least it was a supposed to be a step towards the right direction.
   
   
   
   
   
6. The baro and saya combination sometimes called the “patadyong was shown during Abbygale Arenas time. It was authentically Filipino. A salakot (hat) was used to highlight the costume farther probably derived from the “Salakot” dance as seen from the right hand side picture. The type of fabric used for the “baro” was the sinamay and the checkered skirt is very common among folk dance performers in any Filipino fiesta. However, Abbygale’s costume was exaggeratedly decorated as the salakot was embellished with sea shells and even dangling at the sides of the salakot. Authentic but exaggerated.
   
   
   
   
   
7. The Maria Clara –Mestiza Dress Combination. Obviously, Zorayda Andam’s costume together with Lia Ramos, Gionna Cabrera and Pamela Bianca Manalo were Maria Clara –Mestiza dress inspired. Zorayda Andam’s costume was near perfect because it  portrays the gentility of the movements of the “Dalagang Filipina” during the time of Maria Clara. On the other hand, Lia Andres’ costume is but an overly designed Mestiza-inspired wedding gown.
   
   
   The costume of Gionna Cabrera has been accentuated with flowers and a big butterfly as a headdress. What with this butterfly? It is an ornament that is not authentically Filipino in character. Missing among these ensembles is the Philippine tiara more commonly known as the “payneta” that is used to adorn the heads of our Filipina maidens.  On the other hand, Pamela Bianca’s costume lacks coherence most especially at the skirt portion. Barraza’s concept of the Maria Clara-Mestiza dress combination is a hit and miss affair.
   
   
8. Venus’ costume was derived from the Manton de Manila, the tapis (skirt) and the terno itself.  Venus’ costume is almost true to form. It only lacks the “payneta” because it was replaced by a flower. Many comments on Venus costume however were on the use of the tapis and the choice of the cloth and color combination.
   
   
   
   
   
9. Jennifer Barrientos and Shamcey Supsup’s national costumes were both Maria Clara inspired. Both however had butterflies all over the costume. I get butterflies in my stomach whenever i see these costumes. It seems like Barraza has lost his creativity. The “baro” in Shamcey’s national costume is very much like Andam’s costume. It was made worst by the golden butterflies that were placed in the “saya” portion.  On the other hand, Jennifer’s “panuelo” was converted to a standing collar reminiscent of carnival queens with a flowing cloth she is handling embellished with butterflies. The manta de manila was changed with this hanging cloth...What a disastrous type of creativity.