Karen Ibasco, a 26-year-old medical physicist from the Manila, was crowned Miss Earth 2017 in Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City, Philippines on November 4, 2017. The former Bb. Pilipinas contestant-turned-Miss Earth Philippines titleholder bested 84 other eco-warriors at the coronation event hosted by popular motoring journalist and TV host James Deakin.
During the pre-pageant events, Karen had topped the medal tally with three Gold medals for Swimsuit, Darling of the Press, and National Costume, and two Silver medals for Evening Gown and Resorts Wear. A devoted environmentalist, she cited in her final Q&A, that “…the real problem is us, because of our ignorance and apathy. What we have to do is to start changing our ways, to start recalibrating our minds and redirecting our steps, because together and as a global community, our micro-efforts will have a macro-effect to help save our home, our planet..,”
Karen is now the fourth Filipina to clinch the environmental crown, and third within four years, after Karla Paula Henry (2008), Jamie Herell (2014), and Angelia Gabrena Ong (2015).
Completing her elemental court are:
Miss Earth-Water 2017: Colombia-Juliana Franco
Miss Earth-Air 2017: Australia-Nina Josie Robertson
Miss Earth-Fire 2017: Russia – Lada Akimova
It’s important to note that the aforementioned titles are now of equal ranking, and no longer have runner-up equivalents.
Finishing in Top 8 were:
Thailand – Paweensuda Drouin
Venezuela – Ninoska Vasquez
Netherlands – Faith Landman
Czech Republic- Iva Uchytilova
And rounding off the Top 16, in alphabetical order, were:
Angola – Esmelinda De Matos
Bosnia and Herzegovina – Lela Karagic
Cameroon – Angele Kossinda
Guatemala – Maria Jose Castañeda
Switzerland – Sarah Laura Peyrel
Tonga – Diamond Langi
USA – Andreia GibauÂ
Vietnam – Lang Thi Ha ThuÂ
This was the first placement in this pageant for Cameroon, Tonga, and Angola, the latter being a debuting nation. On the other hand, early frontrunners from Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Puerto Rico entirely missed the cut.
Congratulations to all the winners! Complete review to follow soon.
In the mean time, check out our complete photo gallery:
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