Pageant Review: Miss Philippines Earth 2017

The 2017 edition of the Miss Philippines Earth was held last July 15, 2017 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Being one of the major national pageants, it was awaited and watched by thousands of pageant fans. Before the day ended, Karen Ibasco from the City of Manila was crowned as Miss Philippines Earth 2017, hence being the official Philippine representative to the 17th Miss Earth pageant on November 4 in Manila.

Now that a new Philippine Alpha Queen was crowned, here's my point-by-point review on MPE 2017!

(Photo from Lito Caleon)

🌏 Opening Number

Before formally beginning, the organization offered a heartfelt prayer for our affected brothers and sisters of the Leyte Quake and Marawi Siege. For me, as a Filipino, that was so moving and touching. Then, a run-through introduction video of the ladies was shown before the opening number. I loved how they gave a good 5-second moment for each contestant in the video. 

(Photo from Lito Caleon)

Then the moment the song started to play and seeing the girls - BAM! I LOVE IT! I looove the opening number! So much power - #GirlPower to be specific! The org stayed true to its "Eco-Warrior" concept with the ladies wearing princess warrior costumes, of course, made of sustainable materials. The steps may be so simple but the ladies oozing with so much confidence and the song are enough for the opening number to be so powerful!

🌏 Cultural Attire Presentation

This segment is love! The 40 contestants paraded in their cultural attires, all made by talented Filipino fashion designers! This part of the pageant shows that MPE gives importance to Filipino culture and heritage through a showcase of extravagant and colorful cultural attires and kudos for that!

Miss El Salvador City - Best in Cultural Attire

🌏 Tripping Fiasco

Unfortunately, during the Cultural Attire Presentation, Miss Lucena accidentally tripped because she was wearing a 30-kg costume while she was going down the stairs on the stage. Luckily, the girls near where she fell immediately helped her - Miss Biñan, Miss Tayabas, Miss Manila and Miss Porac. Mad respect to these ladies for their act of selflessness. Almost more than a half of the ladies were done but the organizers decided to have a re-run of this segment. You know what they say, the show must go on!

🌏 Top 10 Semifinalists

This set of semifinalists has been one of the strongest in MPE history, all are fit in the "beauty and brains" standard. But a lot of pageant fans were surprised with the exclusion of some heavy favorites in the first cut - Miss Pulilan, Miss CDO, and Miss Puerto Princesa to name a few. Had the organizers made the semifinalists into 15 instead of 10, maybe the heavy favorites will make the cut.

(Photo from Lito Caleon)

🌏 Swimsuit Competition
I love the swimsuit that the semifinalists used - superhero-ish, sexy but not too revealing. The girls know how to flare up the stage! Though two of them almost tripped, they still continued to werk and slay! If there was a best in swimsuit award, for me it would be Kim De Guzman (Olongapo City). 

(Photo from Lito Caleon)

🌏 Top 10 Q&A - Word Expansion/Hashtags

This has to be one of the defining moments for the Top 10. If they mess up this round, it will cost them a spot in the Top 5. But luckily, all of them delivered and did not disappoint. Though there were some that will take you time to process their answers, still, the ladies were all impressive and well-spoken. I also love how they donned their swimsuits with indigenous fabrics making them look like wearing cocktail dresses. 

🌏 Evening Gown Competition

The gowns, all proudly Filipino made, are amazing! Love how the Top 10 graced the stage with so much class and elegance wearing their fabulous long gowns. For me the best gown and best in evening gown would be Jessica McEwen (Fil. Comm. of New Zealand) wearing Benj Leguiab IV. Those details and beadwork are looove!

(Photo from Lito Caleon)

🌏 Top 5

This set of finalists is a strong one but I think it will be stronger and the competition will be tougher had been Miss New Zealand and Miss Porac, Pampanga were in the Top 5. But nevertheless, the Top 5 was still a great one. 

🌏 Final Q&A 

Miss Philippines Earth is known to have mind-boggling questions and this year, they've done it again! The final question was "Our government's slogan is 'Change is coming.' What change do you want to see in terms of environmental policies in the country?", and it's really a tough one. Of all the Top 5, Miss Manila City gave a definite, solid and straight-to-the-point answer and that was her defining moment, making her the clear winner of the night. But over-all, kudos to the rest of the Top 5 because they all delivered well during this round of the competition. All were impressively well-spoken! Kudos!

🌏 Outgoing Queens' Farewell

These queens may not be the same ladies who were crowned last year due to she who must not be named's fiasco, I'm proud that they all humbly heeded the call to be warriors of the Earth. I love how their final walk as queens were simple yet very heartfelt. Congratulations for a wonderful reign!

🌏 The New Order of Crowning

Again, because of she who must not be named's fiasco, a new order of crowning was done. The elemental queens were in crowned random order because the elemental crowns are of all equal importance. If for any reason the winner cannot fulfil her duties, any of the elemental queens can take over. This part was quite off for me but maybe it's MPE Org's early resolution if ever the same drama from last year happens, and hopefully not. 

🌏 Over-all Production

I love how Miss Philippines Earth under Carousel Productions always keep every coronation night simple yet elegant. The stage design may be simple but it worked because it did not overpower the contestants who are the real stars of the event. You know, Mother Earth doesn't need that much extravagant decors because her alone is already so beautiful.

Robi Domingo as a host for the fourth consecutive time is something and he earned that right because he is great host for MPE! I love his energy, his humor, and his adlibs.

The lighting is great - not too bright nor too dark, just right and no eyesore contrast of colors. The camera angles are also good. They were just fit for a pageant and not to noon time show-ish. 

There's just one thing I didn't like in the pageant - the anchors/co-hosts!!! During segment gaps, former MPE Queens roam around the venue to interview significant people present in the event. But everytime this particular queen starts to talk, I can't help but mute the audio because she's just so trying hard to speak in slang English and it hurt my ears! Side note: girl, I think it won't kill you to just speak in Filipino or in Taglish if you can't speak in proper American English. Peace out!

🌏 The New Miss Philippines Earth 2017 and her Elemental Court

The final Q&A was the defining moment for the Top 5 and I was not wrong. The best answer was given by the winner herself, Karen Ibasco from the City of Manila. The way she spoke, she doesn't only exude intelligence but also heart, wisdom and genuineness. I'm happy that this oriental beauty took home the title. I believe that she will do well as a Miss Philippines Earth. I'm excited for her feat in Miss Earth!

I'm also happy for our new Elemental Queens! I love that we will be seeing more of them as they go on in their reign as the new Earth Warriors. And I must say that this batch is one of the prettiest ever! Again, congratulations!

🌏 Conclusion

Over-all, from the pre-pageant activities, to the coronation night, and to the winners - all were just right - making Miss Philippines Earth 2017 a huge success. Rest assured, we are all in full support for your advocacies in saving our home, our Mother Earth. I can't wait for Miss Earth 2017!

(Photo from Anton Eder)

Mabuhay ang Gandang Pinay at si Inang Kalikasan! 💚🌏