On April 22, more than a billion people in 192 countries will celebrate the 45th Earth Day. This year’s Earth Day is focused on delivering millions of voices to urge global leaders to sign a global treaty on climate change.
In the Philippines, candidates of the Miss Earth Philippines 2015 are also doing their part by creating awareness about climate change, conservation and how to take care of Mother Earth.
On Friday, six of the 50 candidates of Miss Earth Philippines visited The Manila Times newsroom not only to promote the pageant, but to share their environment-related advocacies with The Times President, CEO and Executive Editor Dante “Klink” F.M. Ang 2nd.
The winner of Miss Earth Philippines 2015 will serve as the ambassador for environmental protection campaigns in the country and represent the Philippines in one of the biggest international beauty competitions--the Miss Earth pageant.
The Miss Earth Philippines coronation night will be on May 31 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
“I joined the contest because I believe in the advocacy of the pageant, which is to promote the protection of the environment,” confessed Catherine Joy F. Marin, 19, of Bago City, Negros Occidental.
“To protect our environment, I joined a group that planted mangroves in our watershed in Bago City, Negros Occidental,” Marin said.
“Personally, I also want to be an alarm clock to wake people up that the people are the reason why we are experiencing climate change these days.”
Alyanna Cagandahan, 21, representing Santa Cruz, Laguna, is for the rehabilitation of the Laguna Lake.
“The Laguna Lake used to be a rich lake but it deteriorated. Rehabilitation of the lake would mean more livelihood for the people, preservation of the environment and promotion of tourism in Laguna,” Cagandahan said.
Jona Sweet, 19, from Kalibo, Aklan, but is representing Iloilo City, is also for “the conservation of the environment and planting of mangroves to protect the shorelines of the many beaches in our place that are also prone to natural calamities.”
Sweet also talked about the sad state of Boracay Island and she would like to help in restoration of the clean waters in Boracay beaches.
Last February, a news release was posted on the website of the Environment department that cited the EMB-6 figures showing bacterial levels in Boracay waters exceeded the department’s guidelines for recreational water. According to the report, coliform bacteria levels in a drainage outlet that empties into the sea in Sitio Bulabog in Boracay exceed safe standards.
Sweet batted for fewer vehicles to avoid pollution. “We should eliminate old vehicles that uses gas that causes pollution,” she said.
Jane Aguillon, 21, from Zamboanga City, is optimistic that conservation of natural resources in Zamboanga City can help in preservation of the environment.
An airline management student, Aguillon wishes to be a flight stewardess someday.
Environmental education of the young is the top priority of Jian Realuyo Salazar from Guinobatan, Albay.
“We should start with the young if we really want better change for the environment,” says Salazar who believes that it can be done like the “zero casualties” advocacy of Albay Gov. Joey Salceda.
A psychology graduate, Salazar wants to pursue medicine and become a gynecologist someday.
The youngest of the group, Diana Mackey, 18, from Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, would hold a seminar for the youth as soon as she wins the Miss Earth-Philippines contest.
“I believe that if we can educate the young people on how to take care of the environment, we’ll have better chance to preserve Mother Earth,” Mackey said.