Karla Paula Henry: Devotion to Sto. Niño behind Miss Earth win

There’s no hiding the excitement of Miss Earth 2008 Karla Paula Henry as the chosen lead dancer for the finale of this year’s Sinulog Festival grand parade this Sunday at the Cebu City Sports Center.

“Yes, I am very excited to be the lead dancer in the grand finale of the Sinulog Festival,” Karla said in an exclusive interview with The FREEMAN yesterday. The first-ever Asian woman to win the Miss Earth title graced the yesterday’s launching of SM Supermalls’ Green Bag, an environmental-friendly and reusable shopping bag made of fabric, at SM City Cebu.

“I am very much honored because I am a strong patron and a devotee of the Holy Child Jesus, Señor Sto. Niño. In the past three pageants that I joined, I really brought the image of Sto. Niño with me, especially in the Miss Earth pageant. I am very dedicated to Sto. Niño,” added Karla, who was tapped to take the place of Cebu City First Lady Margot Osmeña.

Karla also revealed that she has participated in various Sinulog festivities every year, but this is her first time to really dance, let alone be lead dancer.

“I just hope, I’ll do it with grace and poise,” she added. 

When asked if she has any special wishes to ask from the Señor Sto. Niño this year, the 22-year-old Fil-Canadian beauty said, “2008 was a successful year for me. I received so much blessings and because of that, I am extremely happy right now… I don’t have any wishes this time but it will be more of a thank you, thanking God for all the blessings that I received.”

Karla was also asked on what does she look forward to doing this 2009, she said, “I just hope that at the end of 2009, all the environmental advocacies and activities that are lined up during my reign will be accomplished.”

These include the planting of 20,000 trees nationwide, which will be replicated by her runners-up in their respective countries.