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.