Ecuadorean beauty queen crowned Miss Earth 2016
A 23-year-old model and cosmetologist from Ecuador who wants to push environmental education in schools was crowned Miss Earth 2016 at the worldwide broadcast of the pageant at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Saturday night.
Katherine Elizabeth Espin bested 82 other candidates from around the world in the annual environment-driven beauty pageant. She impressed the judges in the final question-and-answer portion in which she was
asked, “If you were selected as Miss Earth 2016, what would be your program to protect Mother Earth from climate change?”
Espin answered: “I truly believe in the 5 Rs, which is re-think, reduce, reuse, recycle, and respect. Because I believe that as human beings, if we apply that to our everyday lives, we can make a change and… we can save Mother Earth.”
Saying she wanted to promote environmental education in schools, Espin added: “The best age to teach persons to have (an) environmental conscience is at an early age; in their growing years they will learn to respect the environment which will help future generations.”
Espin competed at the Miss Bikini Universe in 2013 and at the Top Model of the World in 2015 where she was first runner up. She is the second Miss Earth titleholder from Ecuador, the first being Olga Alava in 2011.
Miss Colombia Michelle Alejandra Gomez was named Miss Earth-Air; Miss Venezuela Stephanie Landaeta, Miss Earth-Water; and Miss Brazil Bruna Zanardo, Miss Earth-Fire.
The other candidates in the Final 16 were from Korea, Northern Ireland, England, Vietnam, Russia, Mexico, Macau, South Africa, Australia, Sweden, United States, and Italy.
The Philippines was represented by Imelda Schweighart.
Special awards Espin also won several special awards, namely, Darling of the Press (in which she tied with Miss Philippines), Best In Resorts Wear, and Best In Long Gown.
Miss Mongolia Enkhbor Azbileg was named Miss Talent for her gymnastic skills. She received her award from State Properties Corp. President Allen Roxas.
Other recipients of special awards were: Miss Bahamas Candisha Rolle, Miss Congeniality; Miss Vietnam Nguyen Thi Le Nam En; Miss Photogenic; Team Africa, Eco-Tourism and Environmental Conference; Miss Macau SAR China Clover Zhu, Miss Versailles; Miss Moldova Tatiana Ovcinicova, Best Eco-Beauty Video; and Miss Wales Charlotte Hitchman, Miss Eco-Warrior.
Winners in the Long Gown Competition were Miss Mexico Itzel Astudillo in Group 1, Miss Russia Aleksandra Cherepanova in Group 2, and Miss Ecuador in Group 3.
In the Resorts Wear Competition, the winners were Miss Australia Lyndl Kean in Group 1; Miss Lebanon Carole Kahwagi in Group 2; and Miss Ecuador in Group 3.
Winners in the Swimsuit Competition were Miss Mexico in Group 1, Miss USA Corrin Stellakis in Group 2, and Miss Wales Charlotte Hitchman in Group 3.
Manhunt Int’l 2016 Filipino Police Officer 1 Don Mcgyver Cochico finished in the Top 16 of Manhunt International contest held in Schenzhen, China, last Saturday night.
Patrick Sjoo of Sweden won the competition. Mr. Hong Kong was first runnerup; Mr. England was 2nd runner-up, Mr. Angola, was 3rd runner-up, and Mr. Brazil was 4th runner up.
Other candidates in the Top 16 were representatives from Lebanon, Guam, Venezuela, Russia, Dominican Republic, China, Spain, Slovak Republic, Thailand, and Germany. A total of 43 candidates competed in the male pageant.