Front-runners in 2005 Miss Philippines-Earth tilt

Last May 11 at the lush Carousel Gardens in Pasig; 24 beautiful and environmentally conscious Filipinas vying for the title of Miss Philippines-Earth 2005, were presented to the media. Now on its fifth year the pageant continues its search for the "True Filipina beauty who cares for and helps in the preservation of the environment".

As usual , members of the press and pageant aficionados alike had a grand time watching the 24 ladies parade in their Accel swimwear and even found time to identify showbiz deadringers among the girls. Celebrities who were mentioned to have look alikes include: Donna Cruz, Claudine Barretto, Iya Villania, Diana Zubiri, Stella Ruiz, Sherin Regis, Ynez Veneracion, Vivian Velez, Tetchie Agbayani, Maricarl Tolosa, Karla Bautista, Nadia Montenegro and Hilda Koronel.

The grand finals is slated tonight at UP Theater, aired live by ABS-CBN.

The top 10 contenders in this year’s pageant are:

1. Antonette Stephanie de Guzman Yu – (#4- NCR) – 18, 5’9 1/2", 120 lbs., 35-24 1/2-35. This statuesque print and ramp model from Marikina is considered the top bet to win the crown. An incoming first year Organizational Communication student at DLSU, she advocates to the use of organic products instead of chemical fertilizers that are harsh to the land and contaminates our waters.

2. Nadia Lee Cien Romero dela Cruz – (#16-NCR) – 18, 5’8",125lbs, 33 1/2-25-36. A recent high school graduate, this disc jockey believes that we should save our forests from denudation. She was a semi finalist in last year’s Miss Teen Philippines.

3. JemayVeneracion Zacarias – (#22-NCR) – 18, 5’6", 115lbs, 33-25-34.An incoming second year Business Information System at the AMA Computer College, she feels that we must protect our trees from illegal loggers.

4. Olivia Amor Jimenez Cortez – (#12-NCR) – 20, 5’5", 115lbs, 33-25-34 1/2. A Tourism major from UST, she would always be remembered as the girl who took a tumble during the press presentation. Like fellow Thomasian, Miriam Quiambao, she immediately stood up and recovered gracefully; eliciting applause from everyone. A talented singer, she advocates following zoning regulations in our coastlines.

5. Istana Eula Olay Burgos – (#24-NCR) – 20, 5’5", 116lbs, 35-26-35. A BS Geography graduate from UP, she has a string of beauty titles tucked under her belt. She is the reigning Miss WOW Philippines, former Miss UP, and second runner-up of Reyna ng Aliwan 2005. She also appears in the sitcom Quizon Avenue. Resource management and conservation are her main concerns.

6. Gennebelle Francisco Raagas – (#5-Central Luzon) – 18,5’10",128lbs, 34-25-37.An incoming second year HRM student; the tallest girl in the pageant suggests that we should take advantage of our country’s natural beauty to attract tourists.

7. Eizel Jen Loyola Nocon – (#7-Southern Tagalog Region) – 18, 5’6 1/2", 110lbs, 33-25-34. Water pollution is the main concern of this incoming sophomore at DLSU.She hails from General Trias, Cavite.

8. Evangelyn Rosales Taguba – (#18-NCR) – 18,5' 7 1/2",120lbs, 36-25-36. A BS Biology student, her environmental concern is integrated solid waste management. She is the reigning Mutya ng La Union.

9. Chinette Pineda Oblepias – (#10-NCR) – 18, 5’6 1/2", 112lbs, 34-24-35. A sophomore Advertising student at St. Scholastica’s College. She wishes to implement a Clean and Green program that would deal in waste management.

10. Bernadette Portuito Estrada – (#17-Western Mindanao) – 20, 5’7", 117lbs, 34-26-35. An aunt of John Estrada, this Business Management student from Ateneo de Zamboanga is in favor of family planning to control the rapid growth of our population. – Reported by Felix Manuel, Joey Cezeare, Gery Yumping and Francis Calubaquib