Filipina model crowned Miss Earth New York 2021

MANILA, Philippines — After the introduction of the 88 delegates in the virtual edition of this year's Miss Earth search, through the "Getting to Know You" series, the candidates are currently undergoing the "Personality Check" series in batches of five.

Concurrent to the personality check series is the presentation of individual talents. The singing category and the creative talents - which included visual arts like painting and sculpture, instrument playing like the flute and piano, poetry and soliloquy - have been rolled out. Next to present their pieces would be those in the Dancing category.

With the 2021 Miss Earth virtual search in full swing, with its winner crowned on November 21, New York has already crowned its state winner for the Miss Earth USA 2022 pageant. The winner is Pinay model Marizza Delgado, whose name, except for the double z's, sounds similar to Filipino character actress, Marissa Delgado.

The 22-year-old model from New York's One Management Agency is not new to the world of pageantry. She was crowned as Miss Pacific Coast Teen USA 2017, prior to winning the state title.

Her Kapampangan mother and Manilan father both immigrated to the US, and Marizza was born and raised in California where the family relocated to. As a model, she has done campaign work for brands like H&M, L'Oreal, Walmart, and Kohls, as well as two seasons of the New York Fashion Week.

"Modeling has definitely helped with my onstage presence - although high fashion and pageant runway walks are totally different styles. And vice versa, the confidence I gained through pageantry directly translates to when I'm on the set," said the full-blooded Filipino model during an online interview with a fashion magazine.

When not under the spotlight, Marizza is a data scientist for the American e-commerce site Etsy, under the Product Analytics Team.

"I'm promoting awareness and social responsibility to protect our environment. My platform #VeganForAReason is to promote a vegan lifestyle and show how accessible a healthy, ethical plant-based diet can do for the planet, and to reduce our carbon footprint for the environment, animals, and future generations," she continued.

The United States won its first Miss Earth crown with Lindsey Coffey in last year's virtual edition. This year, the USA is ably represented by a lovely earth warrior from the state of Maine, Marisa Butler.

"If I left the modeling industry with more inclusiveness and diversity, then I've left my legacy," enthused Marizza.