CONGRATULATIONS to the winners of the virtual finals and coronation of the 21st Miss Philippines Earth.
Naelah Alshorbaji, 23, a Filipino-Syrian model from Barangay Merville, Parañaque City, topped the field of 66 delegates nationwide to win the coveted Miss Philippines Earth 2021 title, succeeding outgoing queen and reigning Miss Earth Water Roxie Baeyens.
The former Binibining Paranaque will now vie for the 21st Miss Earth later this year.
According to her profile at the official Miss Philippines Earth website, Alshorbaji wants to win the top crown because she wants “to have a greater platform to promote the change I want to see in the world.”
At the final question-and-answer segment, the top 10 finalists were all asked: “How do you plan to move forward to achieve your goals in life despite the ongoing pandemic?”
Alshorbaji’s winning answer: “Despite the restrictions in terms with the pandemic, we have social media for us to progress and move forward. I think that’s the beauty of what this generation in what we are going through right now. Moving forward, I think I could accomplish my goals and dreams regardless because I have a bright future even if during the pandemic. I hope that inspires people around us.”
Her court of “elements” includes: Ameera Almamari of Atimonan, Quezon, Miss Philippines Air; Rocel Songano of Iloilo City, Miss Philippines Water; Roni Meneses of Mandalugong City, Miss Philippines Fire; and Sofia Grace Lopez Galve of Tanay, Rizal, Miss Philippines Eco-Tourism.
The panel of judges – Miss Earth 2018 Nguyen Phuong Khanh of Vietnam, Miss Earth 2020 Lindsey Coffey of the USA, TV personalities Marc Nelson and Kim Atienza, model Michael Seifert and Carousel Productions EVP Lorraine Schuck – selected the winners from a shortlist of 20 semifinalists who were later trimmed to 10 finalists.
The pageant, with pre-recorded segments and live announcement of winners, was hosted by Robi Domingo and aired over Kapamilya Channel and the social media pages of Miss Philippines Earth.
It was the second straight year that Miss Philippines Earth was conducted on a virtual platform.
Kudos goes to Carousel Productions for continuously conducting the advocacy-driven search for the most outstanding environmental “warriors” despite of the pandemic, as well as Kagandahang Flores training camp for sweeping the winning circle.
Malaya Business Insight is a media partner of Miss Philippines Earth since its inaugural pageant in 2001.
