YLLANA Marie Aduana, 24, a licensed medical laboratory scientist from Siniloan, Laguna, was crowned as Miss Philippines Earth 2023, topping the field of 28 contestants from all over the country and several Filipino communities abroad at the 23rd Miss Philippines Earth finals held at the Toledo City Sports Center in Toledo, Cebu. She was crowned by Jenny Ramp, last year’s winner.
The 5’7″ Aduana impressed the judges with her answers, sealing her victory to earn her the right to represent the country at the 23rd Miss Earth to be held in Vietnam at the end of the year.
Yana also wore an evening gown made of 5,000 safety pins which she explained in her social media accounts: “Like a safety pin, we hold critical things together. And as women, we hold the Earth together.”
The exquisitely crafted dress was made by Ken Batino.
During the hashtag round, Yana picked #safety, which she translated as:
“Safety plays a very salient role in our lives. We have to always be secured, not only safe but also in terms of water security and food security because as Miss Philippines Earth, I know that I am a hardworking person and I can always incorporate this in order for us to achieve safety at all costs and protect Mother Earth the way she protects us all with all safety.”
Aduana also impressed the judges and audience when she answered the final question:
“What do you think people in the future would say about your generation?”
She replied: “I would definitely say that our generation, although misconstrued as very ardent, I would have to say that we use our voice for a reason and that we always speak up for the things that we know are right and for the things that we know we deserve, that is why we are very ardent about it.
“That is why I’m also conducting colloquiums on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and their interconnectedness to nature in hopes to precipitate people’s eco consciousness because our future is the linebackers and the pioneers of environmental amelioration, and we should always take advantage of it at all costs.”
On top of her discussions on sustainability, Aduana is also the president of the non-profit organization Edukasyon for Every Juan, which she co-founded with her sister and where they promote Earth Education.
Crowned as Aduana’s elemental court were: Kerri Reilly of Mangatarem, Pangasinan, Miss Philippines Air; Jemimah Joy Zabala of Puerto Princesa City, Miss Philippines Water; Sha’uri Livori of the Filipino community of Melbourne, Australia, Miss Philippines Fire; and Athena Auxillo of Toledo City, Miss Philippines Eco Tourism.
The panel of judges included Miss Earth 2019 Nellys Pimentel and was chaired by Lorraine E. Schuck, executive vice president of Carousel Productions which stages both the Miss Philippines Earth and Miss Earth pageants.
The televised finals was hosted by Robi Domingo and Cebu’s former Miss Earth winners Karla Henry-Ammann and Jamie Herrell.
