Beyond beautiful
These ladies are thinking electric cars, pawikan conservation centers and the five R’s.
On its 18th year, Miss Earth that prides itself for being a beauty contest with a purpose continues to promote preservation of the environment and the protection of Mother Earth while showcasing various tourist destinations. Bulletin Entertainment was able to have an exclusive interview with seven out of 45 candidates this year. They are Fil-Queensland, Australia representative Theressa Anne Mariano; Dinalupihan, Bataan representative Lea Macapagal; Tangalan, Aklan representative Noelle Uy-Tuazon; Taguig City representative Lovely Lamptey; Fil-Vienna, Austria representative Brazzirie Yanson; Tacloban City representative Gabrielle Camille Basiano; and Mandaluyong City representative Liz Mabao. Here’s an excerpt of our session with them: How do you help nature restore and preserve its beauty? Theressa: “Through sharing knowledge and spreading awareness about the importance of the environment.” Lea: “My advocacy is ‘No Segregation, No Collection’ policy. I know it might be simple but we can use it and applying the five R’s and these are Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rethink, and Respect.” Noelle: “My advocacy concerns marine preservation and sustainable ecotourism. But prior to this advocacy, I’ve always been an environmentalist given my background as archaeologist and forensic anthropologist. We are all about preserving nature and everywhere we go, we practice mindfulness as much as possible.” Lovely: “I love kids so much so I always take time to listen to their thoughts regarding our environment. Then I teach them about the values and respect that our environment needs in order for us to protect and preserve it.” Brazzirie: “My advocacy focuses on agricultural and sustainable food. Instead of importing food from other countries, it’s better to rely on our natural resources. At the same time, we help the environment and also lessen the pollution of CO2 and emissions.” Gabrielle: “After we were struck by the Typhoon Yolanda, our city mayor implemented proper waste management. I am practicing it. It is very effective." Liz: “I practice recycling. I want to start with myself before encouraging other people.” Aside from tourism, what other sectors do you support? Theressa: “I would like to support any charity related to the elderly. I am very close to them – they should be taken care of.” Lea: “I want to spread awareness about animal extinction as it is an example of human’s disregard for nature. Actually in Bataan, we have a Pawikan Conservation Center and I’m proud of it. Let’s love animals as our own because everyone, everything on earth has a purpose.” Noelle: “I would like to support the reinforcement of carbon ignition because it’s one of the biggest contributors to climate change.” Lovely: “I would like to support the technology here in the country. I think it would be renewable and also a sustainable way for us to create our electricity through energy. It will be an environmental friendly product.” Brazzirie: “Aside from ecotourism, in Vienna we promote clean energy. I think Vienna has a lot of resources. Instead of using cars that cause pollution I think we can change to electric cars.” Gabrielle: “I choose to support this charity group in Tacloban City where there are a lot of street children. They are sick and abandoned. Even though they were abandoned by their parents, when you visit them you can really see the smile on their face.” Liz: “Aside from beauty of tourism, I would like to support economic sustainability. I want our country to have equal opportunities to those who are physically disabled. I don’t want to limit them in doing such activities to sustain their lifestyles.”
What defines a Filipino woman? Theressa: “I believe we are responsible in finding ways on giving back.”
Lea: “I think Filipinas are more of their character. A lot of tourists love to go here because of our hospitality. Despite what we’ve been through, we are always smiling. At the end of the day, it’s what matters – how well you treat other people.”
Noelle: “I think it’s being diverse and being an independent individual in society trying to better the world and the universe.”
Lovely: “A Filipina’s character is resilient. She is never afraid to say what she wants and say what she means. And she’s also a woman who knows what is right and does what is right.”
Brazzirie: “A Filipino woman, aside from being beautiful outside, possesses beauty within. She’s someone who’s ambitious, goal-driven and independent.”
Gabrielle: “You can see the beauty of a person through her character. She cares for the people around her, she is brave enough to face everything. She doesn’t easily give up on things.”
Liz: “I think Filipina character is one of the best in the world.”
How do beauty contests help women? Theressa: “Joining a pageant is a way that can help a woman boost her confidence. And by this, you can see true self within you.”
Lea: “Joining pageant is not just about being beautiful as it takes a lot of courage, determination and discipline. Through that we can grow our confidence and show our talents that we’re not just beautiful but we are also strong and independent women.”
Noelle: “It is a platform for positive change to influence others and try their best to protect the world and the environment.”
Lovely: “The best thing about beauty pageants is that it strengthens her voice in order to be heard.”
Brazzirie: “Beauty pageants are not only a platform to raise our voices and get to be heard, it is where we can develop ourselves. It’s an experience where we can find our ‘new me,’ and meet other people.”
Gabrielle: “It helps us be the best version of ourselves every day. It is one way of sharing our advocacies and a way of educating other people.”
Liz: “Beauty pageants are mouthpiece that will voice out our insights and advocacies. It also helps us grow as an individual and as woman.”
What is your philosophy in life? Theressa: “It’s being true to myself as I think it helps me grow and see my real self.”
Lea: “I’m actually a very optimistic person. I solve problems in a positive way because life is too short to live it with all the negativity. I think being positive can help you reach your dream.”
Noelle: “For me, I believe my philosophy has always been centered in ideology and perseverance. No matter where life takes you, it’s important that you stay committed to yourself, to your dreams. Don’t let anyone bring you down. I always follow what’s in my heart.”
Lovely: “My philosophy in life is you can never be defined by your size, by your strength, by you color, or by your gender because it’s only you who knows your strengths and your weaknesses. You’re the only one who can overcome your fears.
“Just like what Mother Teresa said ‘Not all of us can do great things but we can do small things with great love.’ I think love is the key in everything that we do enable for us to succeed. This has been my guiding principle ever since.”
Brazzirie: “I really believe in the saying ‘There will always be light at the end of the tunnel.’ There are obstacles in life where we encounter along the road but we should stick to the things we really want and have a goal we have to be persistent to reach it.”
Gabrielle: “I think with hard work and determination, everything is possible. No matter how rough the road will be, if you really want to get where you want to be then you’ll really work hard for it. You’ll do it with love and passion. You’ll do everything just to get there.”
Liz: “For me it is keeping my feet on the ground regardless of what achievement I have. Because how can you proceed in life if you couldn’t trace where you came from? I think it’s being humble.”