Miss Earth
 | This article contains promotional content. (December 2007) |
Miss Earth pageant is an annual female spectacle event geared in promoting environmental awareness and currently one of the top three international beauty pageants in the world founded in 2001 by Carousel Productions, Inc. of the Philippines[1]. Together with its competitors, Miss Universe and Miss World contests, the pageant is one of the most publicised beauty contests in the world.[2][3]
History
Like every success story, it starts with a humble beginning. And for the Miss Earth Pageant, it all started with a humble ambition of saving the environment. After establishing a track record in mounting world-class beauty pageants over the last decade, Carousel Productions Inc. decided to reinvent and improve the concept of beauty competitions for the new millennium. Because many people admire and aspire to be a beauty queen, Carousel Productions, Inc. believed beauty queens would be a good and effective advocate of worthy causes. To give life to this vision, Carousel organized and launched in 2001 the MISS EARTH® Beauty Pageant, a beauty event whose raison d’etre was to have its candidates and winners actively promote and get involved in the preservation of the environment and the protection of Mother Earth. Thereafter, the Miss Earth pageant was born.[4]
Coincidentally, Miss Earth was created after Carousel Productions lost the rights to continue producing the Miss Asia-Pacific pageant. In the five years since its conception it has become one of the three largest beauty pageants in the world (The other two are Miss Universe and Miss World).
Those who participate in the pageant are involved with environmental causes and the preservation of the Earth. In addition to its environmental objectives, the winner of the pageant is involved with international environmental projects. These have been promoted to the pageant's international viewers through events held during the pageants. The delegates also take part in tree planting ceremonies, environmental and cultural immersion programs, sponsor visits and tours.
Initially, everyone thought it would just be another international beauty competition, but because of its environmental platform, Miss Earth created a noticeable mark in the pageant world and earned international respect. Thus, in Miss Earth, beauty is not the main factor, but a vehicle to promote environmental awareness and human concern.
Year after year, the Miss Earth pageant grew, with growing number of countries participating and more international attention received. And in 2004, Miss Earth was recognized by the international beauty pageant critics as one of top three grand slam pageants, taking the Japan-based Miss International out of the league.[5] [6]
In 2005, Miss Earth with its official website was declared the most anticipated beauty event in the world for having the most competitive set of candidates (compared to its grand slam colleagues Miss Universe and Miss World). As a result, Miss Earth's worldwide television broadcast in Star World gained the highest rating ever on any beauty event getting a phenomenal popularity rate.[7][8]
Elsewhere in the world, the pageant’s popularity has continuously increased. With more women wanting to become Miss Earth, the number of national Miss Earth pageant has grown on every continent as well. At present, Miss Earth holds the record of having the greatest number of national-level contests, and continuously growing. [9]
Miss Earth nowadays is also considered as the "toughest" international beauty contest combining beauty and personality. From the quality of candidates to the rigid selection process, the pageant organizers have the most scrupulous criteria. Seemingly never-ending interviews with hard to answer questions are always on the way to the crown.[10]
In 2006, it was a real success story despite the mishaps Carousel Productions had when the supposedly host country Chile failed to meet the requirements of the host committee.
Failure of holding the pageant off the Philippine shores was behind Miss Earth. They have to stage it back to Manila with a promise that "grand and prestigious" it will be. And Miss Earth fulfilled its promise[11]. It was an astounding finals night at the National Museum in Manila, leaving every viewer spectacled with the event.
The 7th edition of Miss Earth erased the records of its previous years. Miss Earth 2007 was more publicized and much more competitive girls vied for the crown.
Behind all the success Miss Earth has gained and is continuously gaining, its environmental cause was never forgotten. The Miss Earth winner tours and works worldwide as spokesperson for the Miss Earth Foundation,the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and other environmental groups. Moreover, national Miss Earth winners from various nations are doing their own part in their home countries.[12] [13]
Pageant Requirements
Carousel Productions, Inc. is annually searching for the most exceptional women around the globe to participate in the Miss Earth Pageant. While the tradition of selecting the national candidates is strictly followed, Carousel braves a new meaning to beauty pageants by bringing to light the conscious effort of promoting clean and healthy environment. The following requirements are strictly followed:
- 18-26 years of age
- single, never been married, never given birth,
- Minimum height of 5 feet 5 inches
- Possesses beauty of face and proportionate body structure
- Outgoing and friendly
- Excellent physical condition
- Has knowledge of her country's culture and environment
A national delegate for Miss Earth should be a national pageant winner or an appointed delegate by a recognized Miss Earth franchise holder. [14]
Pageant System
Since the Miss Earth pageant has an environmental cause, it is primarily looking for young women who will stand for the protection and preservation of the planet. These women are pageant winners or chosen by national Miss Earth directors from different nations.
On national level competitions, the Miss Earth's cause is carried out to assure that each of the participating candidates are not just physically beautiful, but environmentally knowledgeable. As soon as the national winners are chosen, they will be subject to evaluation by Carousel Productions.
During the pre-finals weeks, the candidates are evaluated on each activity and event they have. Preliminary swimsuit and evening gown competitions also take place, and a panel interview where the candidates speak of their environmental platform and personal thoughts.
As soon as the preliminary activities are completed, the judges and the executive staff of Carousel Productions will select sixteen candidates who will comprise the group of semi-finalists.
During the live finals, the sixteen (16) semi-finalists will be announced. All previous scores will be disregarded and thereafter compete in the swimsuit round. The top eight (8) scorers in swimsuit will move on the next level of competition. The final eight (8) portion will have interview and evening gown competition components. The scores from these two (2) events will be averaged and the four (4) highest scorers will continue with the last competition - the final interview.
In the final interview, all four finalists will answer one environmental question, the candidates will be assessed based on the judges over-all impression on the candidate to determine the final ranking.
If in case the Miss Earth winner can no longer fulfill her duties and obligations as titleholder, the 1st runner-up will assume. .[15]
Awards and titles
The winner of the pageant is bestowed the title Miss Earth; her runner ups are also given titles named after the other natural elements: Miss Fire (equivalent to third runner-up), Miss Water (second runner-up), and Miss Air (first runner-up). Miss Earth is the only one of the "Big Four" pageants which have individual titles for the runners-up.
Among the largest beauty pageants in the world, Miss Earth has the most attractive prizes for its winners.
Since it began the pageant has been held in October or November, in Manila, Philippines and televised nationwide via ABS-CBN with international telecasts in more than 80 countries via STAR TV, and The Filipino Channel.[16][17]
Miss Earth Crown
The Miss Earth crown is designed and created by world-renowned and award-winning jewelry designer Arnel Papa.
The crown's frame is made up of sterling silver while clear Swarovski and pearls compose the embellishments. Red and blue Swarovski pearls are additional ornaments.
Leaves and flowers are the concept of the crown's design.[citation needed]
Delegates
In the early years of Miss Earth, some delegates were taken from national talent agencies in their respective countries that managed to get franchise agreement with Carousel Productions. These agencies sent delegates who were national and international pageant runner-ups/winners, and professional models without going to compete in national pageant dedicated to its environmental cause.
In 2005 up to present the pageant managed to set standards and asked most countries to select their delegates by a national pageant or if not should qualify by means of not violating and misrepresenting their respective countries. Currently, all delegates are required to have an environmental platform prior to participating Miss Earth.
Miss Earth gained worldwide press in 2003 after Vida Samadzai, an Afghan woman now residing in the United States, competed in a red bikini. Samadzai was the first Afghan woman to compete in an international beauty pageant in almost three decades, but the fact that she wore a bikini caused an uproar in her Islamic native country. She later became Ms. America 2005-06 and received the Presidential Service Award on July 10, 2007 given during a ceremony in Southern California to honor her for her Crusade in helping the suppressed women in Afghanistan and for her charity work around the world. The Presidential Gold Medal recipient is the highest honor bestowed upon a civilian by the President of the United States for service to their country and the world. Vida's honor included a gold frame Certificate, Letter of Congratulations from the President of the United States, as well as a Letter of Congratulations from the Presidents Counsel in the White House.[18]
Miss Earth also made headlines all over the world in 2005 when a Pakistani beauty queen, Naomi Zaman, a Miss Pakistan World winner participated for the fist time. She is the first Pakistani who competed in any international pageants. The whole idea of beauty pageants is frowned upon in Pakistan which caused quite an uproar in the native country.[19]
Likewise, Miss Earth Tibet 2006, Tsering Chungtak, the first Tibetan who represented Tibet in any major international beauty pageants created worldwide publicities for its beauty cause, and also drew criticisms from some prominent figures in Tibet. However, her participation received an approval from the Dalai Lama[20]
In 2007, Carousel Productions licensed Miss Cuba Organization to select through worldwide search of the first Cuban representative to Miss Earth. Ariana Barouk won and became the first Miss Cuba in several decades and competed at the Miss Earth Pageant in which she drew mixed reactions and global publicity from the press. Cuba has been always known for its rich heritage, culture, music, and its breathtaking natural beauty. But it has tarnished by political turmoil thru out the years. Therefore no one has ever tried to change this image until now. Carousel Productions have been able to over look all the political non-sense and allow young beautiful & intelligent Cuban women have the opportunity to represent not only the island but its people, its community whether in the USA, Europe or in Asia.[21]
Location
The pageant has been held in the Philippines every year since 2001. Miss Earth 2006 was scheduled to be held in Santiago, Chile on November 15, but organizational and funding problems forced the pageant to move back to the Philippines.
The 7th Miss Earth Pageant was held at the University of the Philippines Theater in Manila on November 11, 2007. Prior to the finals night, the candidates were toured to various destinations in the Philippines and Vietnam. Twenty-two year-old Jessica Nicole Trisko of Canada beat 87 other candidates.
Titleholders
| Year | Miss Earth | Country | Finals Night Venue | Host Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Catharina Svensson |  Denmark
|
Quezon City, Philippines | Philippines |
| 2002 | Džejla Glavović (Dethroned) |  Bosnia and Herzegovina
|
Manila, Philippines | Philippines |
| Winfred Adah Omwakwe |  Kenya
| |||
| 2003 | Dania Patricia Prince Méndez |  Honduras
|
Quezon City, Philippines | Philippines |
| 2004 | Priscilla Meirelles de Almeida |  Brazil
|
Quezon City, Philippines | Philippines |
| 2005 | Alexandra Braun Waldeck |  Venezuela
|
Quezon City, Philippines | Philippines |
| 2006 | Hil Yesenia Hernández |  Chile
|
Manila, Philippines | Philippines |
| 2007 | Jessica Trisko |  Canada
|
Quezon City, Philippines | Vietnam - Philippines |
Tally
Anyone who follows the Olympic Games or other sporting events will be familiar with the concept of the Medal Table, which ranks countries based on their first (gold), second (silver) and third (bronze) place finishes. Here is a similar table of the top rankings for the Miss Earth pageant, based on all results from the first event to the most recent event.
| Rank | Country | Miss Earth | Miss Air | Miss Water | Miss Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brazil
|
1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 |  Venezuela
|
1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 3 | Canada, Chile, Denmark, Honduras, Kenya
|
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 |  India
|
0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 |  Dominican Republic, Martinique
|
0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 |  Poland  Serbia
|
0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 7 |  Tahiti  Philippines Kazakhstan Costa Rica
|
0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 8 |  Argentina, Greece, Paraguay, Spain
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Winning years for each country
| Country | Title(s) | Winning year(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil
|
1 | 2004 |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina
|
1 | 2002* |
| Canada
|
1 | 2007 |
| Chile
|
1 | 2006 |
| Denmark
|
1 | 2001 |
| Honduras
|
1 | 2003 |
| Kenya
|
1 | 2002 |
| Venezuela
|
1 | 2005 |
Best performances by continental regions
As of 2007
| REGION | Best performance |
|---|---|
| South America | 3 titles won by Brazil (1), Chile (1) and Venezuela (1) |
| Europe | 2 titles won by Denmark (1) and Bosnia & Herzegovina* (1) |
| Africa | 1 title(s) won by Kenya (1) |
| Central America & the Caribbean | 1 title(s) won by Honduras (1) |
| North America | 1 title(s) won by Canada |
| Asia & Oceana | 0 title(s) |
* In 2002, Bosnia & Herzegovina's Džejla Glavović won the Miss Earth crown in the Philippines. However, she was dethroned a few months later by the Miss Earth Organization for not fulfilling the duties stipulated in her contract. First runner-up, Kenya's Winnie Adah Omwakwe continued the responsibilities as Miss Earth 2002.
Countries & Territories with perfect attendances from 2001-2007
|
|
Other Relevant Information
- The delegates of Miss Earth are called "Beauties for a Cause" [22]
- Miss Earth is the only international pageant that selects the semi-finalists through a panel interview, where the candidates are not wearing any "make-up" e.g. lipstick, facial/eye make-up, powder, and etc.[citation needed]
- India made a back-to-back Miss Earth-Air finish in 2006 and 2007[23]
- In 2007 edition two (2) countries hosted the pageant. Vietnam co-hosted some of the pageant activities; other activities up to the finals were done in its home base, the Philippines.
- In the history of the "Big Four Pageants", only one woman has competed at all four pageants. She is Cynthia Kanema of Zambia who competed at Miss World 2003, Miss International 2004, Miss Universe 2005, and Miss Earth 2005. She was unplaced at all four pageants.[24]
- Miss Cuba 2007, Ariana Barouk earned the distinction of being the first Cuban representative, in any international pageants, in 64 years that won Miss Cuba by beauty competition and not by appointment. Ariana later competed in Miss Earth 2007 edition. Cuba last participated in Miss Universe in 1967 [25] and Miss World in 1975 [26], both by appointment.
- Denmark won its first major beauty title in history when Catharina Svensson won Miss Earth in 2001.
- Dzejla Glavović is the first woman from Bosnia & Herzegovina to win a major beauty title for her country. She is also the first Miss Earth to be dethroned, for failing to fulfill her duties.
- Kenya also claimed its first major title when Winnie Adah Omwakwe assumed the position of Miss Earth 2002.She's the first Black to have the said title and also the first Miss Earth from Africa.
- Miss Earth 2003, Dania Prince Mendez from Honduras competed in Miss Universe 1998. She was unplaced.
- Miss Afghanistan 2003 Vida Samadzai was the first candidate of Miss Earth to win the special award Beauty for a Cause. She helped in establishing a US-based women's charity that seeks to raise awareness of women's rights and education in the Afghanistan. Miss South Africa, Montjane was the second candidate to win the special award.
- When Priscilla Meirelles won the title in 2004, Brazil became the first country to have a winner in all four major international pageants. The following year, Alexandra Braun completed the grand slam for Venezuela.[27]
- Miss Earth 2004 Priscilla Meirelles was the first Miss Earth Winner to host the Miss Earth Competition in 2006 and 2007.
- A delegate from the Philippines has made the semi-finals every year except in 2007.
- Venezuela has the longest streak of consecutive top 4 placements. The country has made the top 4 every year since 2005.
- For three (3) consecutive years, the grand winners of Miss Earth 2004, 2005, and 2006, Priscilla Meirelles, Alexandra Braun, and Hil Hernandez respectively, prove that their reigns as beauty queens with environmental purpose is unforgettable and had experienced the best hospitality of the Philippines as the three beauty queens cried on their farewell walk during the finals.
Awards
- Venezuela has the most Best in Swimsuit awards: Alexandra Braun in 2005, Marianne Puglia in 2006 and Silvana Santaella in 2007.
- Korea has the most Best National Costume awards: Jin-Ah Lee in 2002 and Hie Mi Yoo in 2005.
- Bosnia & Herzegovina has the most Miss Talent awards: Džejla Glavović in 2002 and Mirela Bulbulija in 2004.
- Only one Miss Friendship has gone on place in the pageant: Amale Al Khoder (Lebanon, 2007).
- Only one Miss Earth winner was awarded Miss Talent: Džejla Glavović (Bosnia & Herzegovina, 2002).
- Only one Miss Earth winner was awarded Miss Photogenic: Priscilla Meirelles (Brazil, 2004).
- Miss Venezuela Silvana Santaella won 4 awards: Best In Evening Gown, Best in Swimsuit, Miss Psalmstre Placenta and Gandang Ricky Reyes Award.
See also
External links
- Official Miss Earth web site
- Pageant Almanac - Miss Earth
- Miss Earth Pages
- eMiss Earth
- eMiss Earth
- Miss Earth Foundation
- Grand Slam Pageants- Miss Earth
- Grand Slam Beauties- Miss Earth
- Global Beauties
- Globmiss- Miss Earth
- Beauty World Cup- Miss Earth
- Missosology- Miss Earth
- Herfactor- Miss Earth
- OPMB- Miss Earth
- Mabuhay Reviews- Miss Earth
- Critical Beauty- Miss Earth
- Big Four Pageants- Miss Earth
- Pressexposure.com- Miss Earth
- Mabuhay Pageants- Miss Earth
References
- ^ GlobalBeauties, 2007]
- ^ Grandslam Pageants, 2007
- ^ Grandslam Beauties, 2007
- ^ Miss Earth, 2007
- ^ Press Exposure, 2007
- ^ Jakarta Post, 2007
- ^ Press Exposure, 2007
- ^ Grandslam Pageants
- ^ Press Exposure, 2007
- ^ Press Exposure, 2007
- ^ Press Exposure, 2007
- ^ Beauty World Cup, 2006
- ^ i-Newswire
- ^ Miss Earth, 2007
- ^ Grandslam Pageants, 2007
- ^ Pageant Almanac
- ^ ABS-CBN News 2007
- ^ Afghan Mania
- ^ Miss Canada Pakistan
- ^ CS Monitor, 2006
- ^ Grandslam Beauties
- ^ PBase website
- ^ Miss Earth Pages
- ^ Pageant Almanac
- ^ Pageantopolis
- ^ Pageantopolis
- ^ Pageant Almanac