We thought it was the second coming of Miss Asia Pacific.  

It was on the final stretch of 2000 when the said pageant made that jaw-dropper of a revelation. After nine editions, it was to be Carousel Productions’ final staging, thus leaving us wondering if India’s Diya Mirza would crown a successor at all. That eventually still happened, of course, and that pageant’s still around. It just had to hibernate every now and then. 

But, obviously, the news planted seeds of both anticipation and curiosity as the hosts hinted at something wider in scale and more environmental-leaning. 10 months later, on October 28, 2001, the first Miss Earth pageant was staged in UP Theatre, telecast on RPN.

Up until then, we didn’t know what to expect from the “glimmering spectacle of natural beauty”, to quote the voiceover. Before we knew it, there was Chin-Chin Gutierrez taking the stage, singing the first stanza of Dero Pedero’s now-familiar ditty, “Woman of the Earth”. 

Global recognition wasn’t too elusive. In fact, it took only six years for the inaugural roster of 42 to more than double. There have been curious entries, like a bikini-clad advocate donning Afghanistan’s sash to the likes of Zanzibar, Tibet, and Crimea occasionally joining the fray. And let’s not forget, this was also where Kosovo and South Sudan first tested the waters becoming mainstays elsewhere. To date, around 170 sovereign entities have joined at least once. Even the tiny islands of Niue and Tokelau dropped by at certain points. 

I had the privilege of watching four editions live, spanning from 2012 won by the Czech Republic’s Tereza Fajksova to 2019 won by Puerto Rico’s Nellys Pimentel. And, while I missed watching the 2022 edition in person, I at least got to meet three of its winners through my previous job. With the pageant marking its 25th year, my return couldn’t have been more timely. 

Missing Nostalgia

The Silver Lining Edition was held at The Cove in Okada, Manila. It was their fourth in said venue since 2019, interrupted only by the virtual editions and a one-year detour in Vietnam. James Deakin returned as host after a one-year hiatus, making it his eighth stint in total.

Hosting the pre-pageant events were 2024’s royal court, Australia’s Jessica Lane (Miss Earth), Iceland’s Hrafnhildur Haraldsdóttir (Miss Earth-Air), and the USA’s Bea Millian-Windorski (Miss Earth-Water). Conspicuously absent was Peru’s Niva Antazeva (Miss Earth-Fire). 

For an anniversary show, it hardly felt commemorative. Save for the reigning queen, only 2017’s Karen Ibasco and 2023’s Drita Ziri were present, with the latter serving as judge. Sure, those archival montages provided historical context, but it was unclear why they couldn’t at least gather the past Pinay titleholders or even 2004’s Priscilla Meirelles, who’s been Manila-based since her reign.

Instead they had 15 past titleholders share video greetings. 10 couldn’t submit, including 2014’s Jamie Herrell, the second Filipina to win the crown. Notably unreferenced was 2016’s Katherine Espin, who memorably gave Miss Universe Ecuador a shot years later. We can only surmise how Carousel took that back then. 

But, those quibbles aside, pacing and production has vastly improved and, thankfully, the CapCut logo never made another cameo. 

The Silver Year Qualifiers

The roster fell below the 80 mark for the second year in a row. 78 was the final count, which was 10 cause-oriented beauties shy of 2007’s record. Nevertheless, the quality proved so impressive that they increased the first cut to a Top 25 – in effect, an obvious nod to the milestone year. Yet, even with the enhanced roster, several standouts still had to be sacrificed. 

Once again, we’re reminded that medal-hoarding doesn’t always spell success. So USA’s Hailey Poe and Nepal’s Sony Ghale were out, despite their respective Golds, and so was Ghana’s Cherise Asher Ayisi despite amassing her share. 

Also missing were England’s MGI alumna Sofia Mayers, the Dominican Republic’s Valeria Conde, and Venezuela’s Roziel Borges, marking her powerhouse’s third non-placement here since 2020. And seeing how Colombia’s Valentina Collazos and Cuba’s Rachel Chang also weren’t spared, their respective Swimsuit and Evening Gown citations now feel consolatory, in hindsight. But, to be honest, it was one of those years where half of the batch had the props to place. So, we can’t really discredit those who did. 

It was a landmark year for the Northern Marianas, a US territory once known for trailing in rankings. Here, they struck gold with Aria Keilbach, a dog rescuer from Saipan. Also scoring a first was Moldova’s Elizaveta Kuznetsova, who replicated her Miss World 2019 finish, looking more competitive than ever.

Despite its impressive delegation, only three Africans survived the cut. But, understand that there were only 10 of them in total. So, assuming that regional balancing was indeed at play, participant-to-qualifier ratio was also probably considered. Placing in this tier were South Africa’s Jenique Botha, improving from her Miss International 2023 non-placement, and her “neighbor”, Namibia’s Ndeshipewa Angula, who kept her country in the running for a second straight year. 

Also securing consecutive placements were Korea’s Yoon-seo Choi and UAE’s Ana Zafyra, the Gwen Stefani dead-ringer from Dubai. Massiel Suárez also brought honors for Peru, despite the absence of their reigning Miss Earth-Fire, while Sanne-Esmee Walstra sustained the Netherlands’ streak for a ninth year.

Scoring second post-win placements for their countries were India’s Komal Choudhary and Canada’s Hailey Wilson, her country’s first indigenous representative. And again, Ashley Callingbull must be proud. 

Evangeline Chen made it for Macau nine years since its last appearance and placement, but it was Florencia Hernandez who achieved the biggest comeback. For the first time since the pageant’s inception, Argentina was back in the running.

Rounding up this tier was Italy, a country known for its glamor, but with zero global crowns to this day. Many believed that Natalia Guglielmo possessed the traits to be that overdue pioneer. Unfortunately, she bowed out early, paving the way for two countries to score record highs.

Painfully Close

After the Swimsuit Round, the remaining dozen then changed into their silver Evening Gowns.

Placing highest among Africa was Delina Girma of Ethiopia, which now earns its best placement, same way Hasset Dereje did in Miss World last May. She was joined by Mexico’s Fan Vote winner, Genesis Vera, who some say should have stayed for at least one more round. The same goes for Poland’s Justyna Roguska, who at least added to her country’s respectable tally. 

Sadly ending Russia’s Runner-Up streak was Elizaveta Guryanova, who was briefly even hyped to earn an element. But looking at one country who advanced instead, some might call it poetic justice. 

Runner-Up Roll Call

Despite her viral Evening Gown stumble, Ukraine’s Mariia Zheliaskova managed to power through to the Top Eight, the country’s best yet. Never before had a Ukrainian enjoyed that much airtime and, in effect, it vindicated several worthy predecessors who missed the cut. Also advancing were three former champs, Brazil, scoring a placement three-peat with Laila Frizon, and Chile, overtaking early favorites with Nathalie Briones.

We could go on throwing in theories as to why the Philippines’ Joy Barcoma stalled in this round, despite Q&A being her ace. But it was Karen Ibasco who offered the most sensible take, that, maybe, that shoutout to typhoon-ravaged Cebu consumed precious airtime. And in a pivotal round such as this, it’s better to answer only what’s asked. 

Still, to her defense, it was a message worth conveying, given that it was a pressing environmental matter – more specifically, a natural disaster. So kudos to her for speaking up, even if, deep down, she probably knew the cost. And, given her already-burgeoning hosting career, we’re bound to hear more from her nonetheless.  

Repeat Elements

It wasn’t exactly uncharted territory for the eventual court. All four countries have already earned Elements, but only Thailand has yet to win the top crown.

With Thais comprising the largest foreign crowd, there was obvious hope that Waree Ngamkham would make history. Alas, she settled with Miss Earth-Fire, just like her 2021 and 2023 predecessors. 

Placing for the first time since hosting the pageant was Vietnam, represented by My Anh Trinh, who amused the audience by relating her hashtag, Leadership, with water conservation. And, Miss Earth-Water she became, just like her 2023 predecessor.  

Given her buckles in the Top Eight Hashtag Round, it was assumed that Iceland’s Sóldís Ívarsdóttir would stop there. But let’s not forget: the judges want who they want and, apparently, she was that favored. So, in a noteworthy feat, the Miss Universe 2024 alumna secured her country’s second placement and Miss Earth-Air title in a row. 

Prague’s Pride

While not necessarily the consensual bet, the Czech Republic’s Natálie Pušniková was at least deemed a lock for the winners’ circle. So, with early favorites Italy, Russia, and the Philippines now out of the way, the path was clearer. She eased her way in and by inserting Tagalog in her final response (catnip for the Pinoy crowd), it was a done deal. The marketing and public relations student is now the second Czech Miss Earth titleholder.

Natalie’s feat may have ended the seven-year streak of first-time winners, but it did break other records. She’s the third blonde winner in a row. Moreover, her country’s now the fifth to secure multiple victories, following Brazil (2004 and 2009), Venezuela (2005 and 2013), the Philippines (2008, 2014-2015, and 2017), and Ecuador (2011 and 2016).

Quarter-Century and Beyond

On a personal note, the result brings out a degree of nostalgia. Witnessing a Czech win 13 years after the first feels full circle, as it somehow symbolically takes a personal tradition to a whole new level.

25 years sure breezed by. That’s a quarter-century’s worth of highs, like being recognized by the United Nations, and lows, like viral production glitches. But, as a Filipino pageant fan, I will always have an affinity towards this platform. Let’s start with the simple reason that it’s Pinoy-made. 

For as long as it upholds its tenets and fulfills its intentions, Miss Earth will always have its place in the sun. Naysayers might quip about it not reaching the standards of Miss Universe, or being out-polished by the relatively newer Miss Grand. But, it was never really about comparison. Miss Earth always been secure with its own image, and on that level, it has succeeds. Bombard it with all the criticisms and challenges, but it will always look at, to borrow from this year’s theme, the silver lining. May it continue achieve more milestones in years to come.