CEBU, Philippines — Two Cebuanas are among the 42 candidates of the Miss Philippines Earth 2018 search.
This year's tagline is "Diyosa ng Inang Kalikasan," partnered with a more targeted advocacy against plastic use.
Since the 18th edition's launch last month, the ladies have been competing in several pre-pageant events leading up to the coronation night on May 19 at the Mall of Asia Arena where they will vie for the titles of Miss Philippines-Earth, Miss Philippines-Air, Water, Fire, and Ecotourism.
Right in the thick of it all are Cebu's bets Marla Pino Alforque and Iana Faye Marie Olea.
This is Alforque's second national competition after winning Reyna ng Aliwan 2017. The Sinulog Festival Queen title-holder has so far managed to stand out in pre-pageant events, winning gold in the Resorts Wear Competition held at the Laus Group Events Centre in San Fernando, Pampanga.
Alforque, dubbed as "Dyosa ng Buhay at ng lahat ng Purong Bagay" also struck gold in the "Trash to Class" contest held at SM Southmall in Las Piñas City.
The education graduate from Cebu Technological University was also among the five picked for the Miss Hanna's Award, the winner of which will be announced on pageant night.
The 22-year-old teacher confesses that becoming Miss Philippines Earth has been her dream. Armed with the patience brought by her memories of her and her father planting side by side, Alforque is set on accomplishing her goal.
In their little garden, the five-foot-five beauty learned to believe that gardens are a manifestation of its creator's creativity, and that they connect people to nature. She also believes that her hobby brings beauty and peace, a perfect mix of human artistry and the powerful beauty of nature.
"Working with my dad taught me the value of hard work and the value of waiting. Those moments in my childhood might seem small but they have made hard work and the value of waiting a significant part of who I am today," she says.
More than just a pretty face, Alforque keeps her main advocacy in mind: educating the youth on how to protect and preserve nature.
"I want to establish interactive, educational projects for young children and adolescents to highlight the importance of recycling and wildlife protection to maintain the beauty of our world-renowned natural habitats," the Carcar City native writes in her Miss Philippines Earth profile.
Bantayan's bet
Barely out of her teens, Iana Faye Marie Olea is representing Bantayan Island, although she is a Davao Oriental native.
The 19-year-old travel management major seems mature for her age. The expression "the struggle is real" is so much more than just a thing you say when met with the slightest inconvenience for Iana because she has greeted struggle right in the face.
"I had to accompany my mom to every hospital in Davao City, since she was suffering from colon cancer. Her fight was short, but she sure was a precious dime to us. My childhood was a rough one. Apart from poverty, I had to go through my mom and brother's deaths. Despite that, my dad made sure that we were happy. He made me into the strong and independent woman that I am, and for that I will forever be thankful," Olea writes on her Miss Philippines Earth profile, adding that she also didn't take it well when her father passed away.
"My childhood was very different from other kids, since I grew up without parents. From an early age, I learned how to be independent and strong. Although I'll admit it was never easy, when my dad died, I had to go to a psychiatrist because I suffered from Separation Anxiety. I couldn't speak to anyone, I couldn't even sleep without praying. All of this, they are what molded me into the woman that I am," she explains.
Most would cower in defeat, but Olea isn't one to surrender. Joining Miss Philippines Earth, she plans to use her voice and become an inspiration.
"I want to be Miss Philippines Earth 2018 because this is one way where I could raise my voice to make my advocacy into a reality. I could be an inspiration to my fellow youth and to other people that they too can be a warrior of the earth. A warrior that will protect Mother Earth," she says.
As a child, Olea always loved the natural wonders of her hometown. Growing up surrounded by lush greens, she saw the importance of cultivating flowers, plants and trees - something that she has taken inspiration from for her environmental advocacy.
"My advocacy is about encouraging young people especially the children to plant anything in their homes, be it a flower or a tree. It may sound simple but at least it is realistic, attainable and sustainable," Olea reasons.
She says she has seen how much people spend for clean water and fears that people might soon pay a fortune for clean air. For her, the thought is more possible than people let on, that is, if we continue to turn a blind eye.
"Planting trees is the ultimate solution to minimize air pollution. It is an ordinary action that causes extraordinary solution. As a Miss Philippines Earth candidate, I appreciate the importance of plants and trees. It produces more oxygen and provides shelter to animals. It also provides food and natural resources to humanity. It is never too late to rehabilitate," the five-foot-seven stunner says.