Winner of the contest will represent the country in the Miss Earth pageant later this year, with beauties from various parts of the earth competing. Current holder of the title is Miss Denmark. According to Lorraine, this contest is different from the dozen others because it’s focused on preservation of the earth and conservation of the environment. A herculean task, you bet.
One of these days, we might just see some of these beauties helping the Metro aides sweep the streets of Metro Manila or plant trees along those barren islands or, why not, roll their sleeves, so to speak, and buckle right down to dredging the murky Pasig River. If Lorraine and Ramon can make those beauties do those chores – and more – then they can truly claim to be sincerely promoting "beauty with a purpose."
The 24 candidates were presented recently to the media. Funfare’s "beauty experts" Francis Calubaquib, Joey Cezare, Gery Yumping and Felix Manuel (now working in UK as a nurse) were there. Here are their 11 choices as "most likely" to make it to the semis and even the finals, and with the best potential as future showbiz stars:
#23 Justine Gabionza, 19, 5’8", 34-24-35, a Tourism student of UST. She was third runner-up in last year’s Miss Global Queen Search won by JP Abinuman.
#22 April Rose Perez, 20, 5’8", 34-25-35, a student of Ateneo de Zamboanga taking up Mass Communication.
#24 Honeylet Christine Gascon, 21, 5’10", 34-24-35, a Business Management major of Assumption University Pampanga.
#7 Gina Ritter, 20, 5’7", 32-24.5-34, a Communication Arts student of Bicol University.
#21 Florenz Joy Abogado, 20, a Mass Communication student of Saint Louis University. Stands 5’7" and measures 34-25-33.
#20 Joyce May Dionzon, a Business Management student of Information and Industrial Institute of Technology. Stands 5’7", measures 33-25-33 and is 19.
#11 Colynn Marie Isabelle de Guzman, 18, 5’8", 32-25-33.5, a BS Computer Science student of Ateneo de Manila University.
#14 Sheryl Anne Ducusin, 18, a BS Accountancy student of AMA Computer College La Union. Measures 33.5-24-34, stands 5’5".
#15 Gizelle San Pedro, 17, an Advertising student of Assumption College, 5’5", measures 34-25-35.
#6 Marjorie Akil, 25, 5’5.5", 32-25-36. She works as a Staff Writer for Chalk Magazine.
#3 Madeleine Wuilquin, 17, 5’4.5", 33.5-25-33. She just graduated from high school at Holy Cross Academy in Southern Mindanao.