German-Filipina Imelda Schweighart wins Miss Philippines-Earth crown

A German-Filipino student based in Puerto Princesa City bagged the 2016 Miss Philippines-Earth crown in ceremonies held at the UP Theater in Quezon City Saturday night.

Imelda Bautista Schweighart, 21, bested 45 other aspirants from all over the country and from overseas Filipino communities to inherit the national crown.

She will try to secure a “three-peat” for the Philippines in the global Miss Earth pageant later this year.

Kiara Giel Gregorio from the Filipino community in London placed second and was proclaimed Miss Philippines-Air. She was also named Miss Hana Shampoo and Miss Oasis Dental.

Loren Artejos from Laoag was crowned Miss Philippines-Water while Shannon Rebecca Bridgman from Rosales, Pangasinan, was hailed as Miss Philippines-Fire.

Melanie Mader from the Filipino community in Vienna was proclaimed Miss Philippines-Ecotourism.

Schweighart is a veteran of beauty contests. She joined the Binibinibing Pilipinas in 2013, the same year 2015 Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach joined the said national tilt. She is the reigning Miss Puerto Princesa and placed second in the Miss Palawan pageant.

source: lifestyle.inquirer.net

Megan Young tells what it takes to win Miss World title

MANILA, Philippines—The next Miss World should be “genuine.”

Reigning Miss World Megan Young made known her preference for her successor in an interview posted on the Miss World website.

“I hope that the next Miss World, whoever she is, is genuine. It is a competition but her authenticity is what will win the judges over and carry her throughout her reign,” Young said.

She said being a Miss World title holder is not all about beauty and glamor.

“A lot of it is really behind the scenes and about getting your feet dirty without your heels and without the make-up,” she said.

The 24-year old beauty queen also emphasized patience.

“My advice is to be patient. In this job, patience is a virtue. Also, it is important to always be understanding and nice to everyone you meet. Kindness and compassion will take you a long way,” she said.

On her part, she admitted that she was “at first afraid” when she was crowned the title.

“I thought that I was not going to be able to see my family, as the job of a Miss World is non-stop humanitarian work, and that was something I didn’t know how to come to terms with,” she said.

 

But she said she was thankful that between travelling around the world and seeing new things, she was able to return home and visit her family.

“That was really helpful as it kept me levelheaded and sane throughout my year,” she said.

She thanked the Filipinos for their support throughout her reign and even before she was crowned as the first ever Miss World from the Philippines.

“The reaction from my country and the support I received was completely out of this world and beyond my wildest imaginations.”

But as she makes her final walk as a Miss world on Monday, December 15, (Philippine Time), she said her reign was full of worthwhile memories.

She said helping in the relief operations after Super Typhoon “Yolanda” devastated the Philippines was one of the highlights of her reign as Miss World.

“I was able to help out my countrymen in ways I never thought possible, because of my Miss World title,” she said.

“I could connect to so many people and inspire and encourage help on such a wide scale and that was a true highlight of my year,” she added.

She said she is excited to host the coronation night in London since she is the first reigning title holder to do the job.

She said it is not her first time to be a presenter of a major event, but she remembered that before being given the opportunity to host Miss World, she wanted to host Miss Philippines or a local show.

“Hosting Miss World, which is watched by billions of people worldwide, is something that I never expected and totally blows my mind away when I think about it,” she said.

“I am the first reigning title holder to be hosting the show so whenever history is being made there certainly is pressure,” she added.

According to her, she hopes that in five years she would be able to do “something big internationally.”

“I love to win an acting award. You have to dream big and have that goal so you can work hard for it,” she said.

The Miss World 2014 will be held at the ICC Auditorium in London on December 15 (Philippine time).

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

Czech crowned Miss Earth; PH beauty wins ‘Air’ title

German-Filipino model Stephany Stefanowitz bagged the Miss Earth-Air title during the 12th Miss Earth coronation night at Versailles Palace in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, on Saturday, sustaining the Philippines’ winning streak in the global competition.

Czech Republic’s Tereza Fajksová, 23, was crowned Miss Earth 2012, beating 79 other international delegates.

Stefanowitz, 22, also boosted the Philippines’ pageant record for 2012, following the victories of Queneerich Rehman and Nicole Schmitz, who entered the semifinals of the Miss World and Miss International pageants, respectively.

Last year, Philippine representative Athena Imperial was proclaimed Miss Earth-Water. Two other Filipino representatives advanced to the Top 4 in previous years—Catherine Untalan and Sandra Seifert, who were crowned 2006 Miss Earth-Water and 2009 Miss Earth-Air, respectively.

Fajksová took home $20,000 worth of management contract from pageant organizer Carousel Productions, $1,000 worth of diamond, pearl and gold jewelry from the Amparito Collection of M. Lhuillier Jewelers, a five-night stay at the Best Western F1 Hotel, a Naomi pearl necklace, MyPhone cell phone, a year’s supply of Ever Bilena cosmetics, shoes from Alberto, crystals and precious stones from Charms and Crystals by Joy Lim, a Canon Pixma printer and a specially designed Miss Earth pendant from jewelry designer Ramona Haar who designed the Miss Earth crown.

Sustainable energy

This year’s competition took sustainable energy as its central theme, following the United Nations General Assembly’s declaration of 2012 International Year of Sustainable Energy for All, which aims to ensure universal access to modern energy services.

Fan favorite Osmariel Villalobos of Venezuela, who was also proclaimed Miss Photogenic, Best in Resorts Wear, Miss Golden Sunset Resort and Miss Ever Bilena, was proclaimed Miss Earth-Water, while Camila Brant of Brazil was crowned Miss Earth-Fire.

During the final round of the competition, the top four delegates were asked the question, “What is your defining moment as a woman?”

Stefanowitz, earlier voted “Darling of the Press,” replied: “I am a woman of the earth and I’m here to fight and conserve and preserve our environment. My advocacy is basically for the betterment of the environment, because this year we are celebrating the year of sustainable and renewable energy for the rest of the world. And, of course, Mother Earth is the most beautiful gift that God has given us. It is our task to fight to preserve it.”

Fajksová, who did not ask for an interpreter, apologized for her minimal grasp of the English language, and responded: “I’m so sorry but I don’t understand the question. I will try to send this message: We have to protect Mother Earth. She gives us everything we need in our lives. So let’s respect her so she’ll respect us.”

Among Top 4

The Philippines, Venezuela and Brazil all figured in the Top 4 in last year’s competition, also held in the Philippines.

Aside from Imperial, also in the Top 4 last year were Drielly Bennettone of Brazil who was crowned Miss Earth-Air and Caroline Medina of Venezuela who was hailed Miss Earth-Fire.

Last year’s winner, Olga Alava of Ecuador, turned over her title to Fajksová.

India’s Prachi Mishra was voted Miss Congeniality by her fellow delegates, while Thailand’s Waratthaya Wongchayaporn was adjudged Miss Talent. Both delegates were heavily favored by pageant pundits to advance to the winners’ circle, but failed to crack the semifinals.

Among this year’s judges were Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn, US Agency for International Development deputy head for environment and energy Joseph Foltz, professional cager Bobby Ray Parks  and national rugby team “Volcanoes” captain Harry Morris.

TV personality Marc Nelson hosted this year’s competition, while Seifert shared anchor duties with 2006 Miss Philippines-Water Ginger Conejero.

source: lifestyle.inquirer.net