30 Miss Earth candidates set to visit Urdaneta

THIRTY of the more than 80 Miss Earth candidates will be in Urdaneta City on October 28, 2007 for the swimsuit competition.

Venue of the swimsuit competition is the Lisland Rainforest Resort located a few meters away from McArthur Highway in Barangay San Vicente in the city.

Join forum on Sandiganbayan's guilty verdict on Estrada plunder case. Post comments here.

Urdaneta Mayor Amadeo Perez Jr. said they would welcome the Miss Earth entourage at the boundary of Urdaneta City and Villasis at 9 a.m.

There will be a motorcade around the city proper. The candidates will stop for a while at the New Public Market before they would proceed to the new Urdaneta City Hall in Barangay Anonas for the tree planting.

Perez said only 600 "paying" viewers/audience (fee includes dinner) would be accommodated inside during the swimsuit competition.

The organizers will set up a big screen outside the main resort to give the public a chance to view live the goings on inside the resort.

Security and traffic plan are in place, the mayor said. A good number of policemen, traffic aides and barangay tanods (watchmen) will be detailed along the highway especially at the area fronting the resort to prevent vehicular accidents.

Perez said the visit of the Miss Earth candidates here would be a big promotion not only for Lisland Rainforest Resort but also for the city as a whole. (Visited in the past years by Miss Earth candidates were the cities of Alaminos and Dagupan.)

Meanwhile, representatives of Carousel Productions visited the resort twice and assessed both its facilities and environs before giving allowing it to become one of the venues of the swimsuit competition.

The resort (others say it is a forest in the city) has 785 fully grown trees to date.

The candidates will spend the night here before they proceed to their next activity venue.

According to Perez, five candidates will be chosen here as finalists to the Miss Earth crown.

The Miss Earth 2007 pageant will be held on November 11 at the University of the Philippines Theater. (LCMY/Sunnex)

Source: Sun Star

Miss Earth-St Lucia off to international pageant

As the people of the Philippines set the stage for the arrival of the 2007 Miss Earth contestants, Miss Earth-Saint Lucia 2007 Oneka McKoy took her first international flight to the enchanting city of Manila, Philippines today (Thursday). Oneka is expected to be in Manila from the October 21 to the November14.
Since winning the Miss Earth-Saint Lucia title in early August this year Oneka McKoy has been undergoing rigorous training by pageant director Hanna Fitz. Oneka has been training to achieve internationally competitive walking techniques, and enhancing her question and answer capabilities. During her participation at the Miss Earth pageant Oneka will be expected to compete in the talent competition, where she will play a steel pan medley of “Island in the Sun” and “Woman of the Earth”—the theme song for the Miss Earth pageant. Oneka playing the woman of the earth song is sure to blow the judges away since she will not be expected to know the song.

Oneka’s costume was designed by Hanna and is named “Distinctly Saint Lucia”. The costume depicts our Pitons, flag and wings to symbolize the Amazona versicolour. Hanna says that she wanted a costume that was flexible to travel with and was also streamlined on Oneka because of her height (5”8) and petite frame. Oneka is very excited and grateful for the opportunity not only to visit the magnificent Philippines, but to have an opportunity to be an environmental ambassador for her country. While in the Phillipines, Oneka will be visiting schools to give speeches, visiting communities and making radio and television appearances.

According to Oneka, “My mother has told me that if I do not win this pageant I should stay in Manila”. The organizers of MESPRO International are very confident that not only will Oneka be a good representative for Saint Lucia but that she will exceed the performance of her predecessors. The organizers at MESPRO international say that “it only gets better with time and experience”. Stay tuned for more updates on Miss Earth-Saint Lucia’s performance in the Phillipines. To track Oneka’s performance in Manila visit www.missosologist.com or www.globalbeauties.com.

Caption: Oneka McKoy is currently in Manila for the international leg of the Miss Earth pageant

Source: St Lucia Star

Down-to-earth Aine hopes to win green title

By Victoria O'Hara

Ulster beauty Aine Gormley will jet off to the Philippines this weekend to try and turn rival competitors green with envy and win the Miss Earth 2007 title.

The PhD student at the University of Ulster in Coleraine recently won the Northern Ireland Miss Earth title.

The 25-year-old, who has a degree in Environmental Science, will now compete against contestants from around the world to try and win the pageant - which has the theme, 'beauties for a cause'.

"I am flying out to the Philippines from London alongside Miss Earth England, Scotland and Wales," she said.

The student from Enniskillen says this was the first beauty pageant she has entered after spotting the competition in an email.

Aine, who is a member of the Environmental Science Association of Ireland (ESAI), the Irish Quaternary association (IQUA), and the Institution of Environmental Sciences, says she would love to win the overall title.

And the academic, who arrives on October 20 for three weeks, says she is excited but nervous about the competition.

"The nerves are really building up now but it is very exciting at the same time, I still can't believe it's all actually happening!"

"So far there are 82 delegates signed up from all over the globe so it should be amazing meeting that many people.

"My mother, boyfriend and two friends will be joining me for the final 10 days, which is fantastic and I'll be really glad of the support at that stage.

"The actual pageant is on the night of November 11 and will be televised nationwide via ABS CBN with international telecasts via STAR TV and the Filipino Channel."

She added: " Parts of the contest, such as environmental platform, national costume, will also be held and filmed during our three-week stay."

Northern Ireland company Belleek Pottery has sponsored Aine and has provided her with a gift for the charity auction. Each competitor is required to bring one representing their country.

"Meave Cleary from Belleek presented me with a limited edition Shamrock 3-Handled Cup from its Archive Collection to celebrate 150 years in business.

"It is absolutely gorgeous and I am so grateful for their generosity," she said.

"I think if I won, it would be fantastic and it offers the chance to try and highlight key environmental concerns as well as represent your country on a global scale."

Source: Belfast Telegraph

Model Truc Diem to represent Vietnam at Miss Earth ’07

20-year-old model and student Truong Tri Truc Diem
Model Truong Tri Truc Diem has been chosen to represent Vietnam at the 7th annual Miss Earth 2007, which will be held in the Philippines from October 21 to November 11.
20-year-old Truc Diem, the runner-up of Vietnam Miss Photo 2005 and winner of the Best Advertisement Model 2006, is currently a senior at Cetana PSB Intellis as a marketing student.

According to Truc Diem, thanks to her excellent verbal ability in English, her 1.72 meter height and her outstanding posture, she will represent Vietnam well.

She is confident and eager to introduce Vietnamese culture and beauty to a world stage at the contest.

She will wear an evening gown designed by designer Truong Thanh Hai and a traditional Vietnamese ao dai designed by ABC Fashion Co.

Reported by Huy Tuong

Source: Thanhnien News

Miss Earth: “I’ll return to this beautiful country”

VietNamNet Bridge – “I hope next time the Miss Earth pageant contest will be held in HCM City of Vietnam,” said Miss Earth 2006 Hil Hernandez Escobar.

Before coming to Vietnam, what did you imagine about our country?

Miss Earth 2006 Hil Hernandez Escobar: I learnt some knowledge about Asia, typical areas of Asia, including Vietnam while I was at school. My knowledge about Vietnam is not much but before visiting your country, I learnt some information about your country through Miss Water Catherine and on the Internet. I know that Vietnam has many attractive tourist sites. I have had interesting days in HCM City. The friendliness of people here is wonderful.

Before coming here, I heard that a big bridge in your country collapsed, killing and injuring many people. That’s very sad. We have sought more information from our guide and we participated in a fund-raising activity at the tourism exhibition to help the victims.

How is your feeling about HCM City after two days?

Miss Earth-Water 2006 Catherine Untalan: HCM City has so many motorbikes, which surely impacts the environment. But I know that your city has solutions to deal with this current traffic situation, for example building new roads. I think it will contribute to changing your living environment for the better in the future.

Miss Earth Hil Hernandez Escobar: HCM City is a peaceful, safe and friendly city. Today we went shopping. Though it was short it was very interesting. On the way, the thing that surprised me was that your city has so many motorbikes, which is very different from our country, which only has cars.

I also know that your country is campaigning for the selection of Ha Long Bay as a world natural wonder.

Will you vote for our Ha Long Bay? During your trips to other countries will you campaign for the local people to vote for Ha Long Bay?

Miss Earth Hil Hernandez Escobar: Sure (in Vietnamese language), I’ll surely do it.

You said that you will return to Vietnam. When will you return and what will you do to help Vietnam in environmental protection in the role of ambassadors of goodwill for the environment?

Miss Earth Hil Hernandez Escobar: I’ll return to this beautiful country but I’ll come back alone, not with any organiser. I’ve asked myself why I have not done much campaigning about environmental protection. But now I am thinking of the task that I can do immediately: organising operations to advertise tourism of Vietnam and Chile. However, my ability is limited so I need the help of everybody here.

Miss Earth Singapore Nicole Chen: Next time in Vietnam I will launch a movement to protect the health of passers-by. Motorbike drivers in Vietnam need special gauze masks to prevent dust from going into their lungs.

Miss Earth-Water 2006 Catherine Untalan: I think we should diminish the use of plastic-made products because this material is difficult to recycle. For example, if you drink water in bottle like this, we should not use straws. Or when we go shopping, we should not use plastic bags.

What places in Vietnam will you go next time? Will you visit Ha Long Bay?

Miss Earth Hil Hernandez Escobar: Next time if I have more time, I will spend the whole time visiting your country.

Miss Earth Singapore Nicole Chen: It takes just one hour to fly from Singapore to HCM City so if I can, I will come here every month.

A question for Miss Earth Hil Hernandez Escobar. Apart from beauty, what makes you feel self confident and what points of yourself are you not satisfied with?

I’ve gone to many countries and learnt about them but I think I still lack knowledge. Nobody is perfect.

On this occasion, I would like to talk about the Miss Earth pageant contest that I won last year. The last Miss Earth attracted contestants from 90 countries.

I hope next time, Miss Earth will be held in HCM City of Vietnam. That would be a way for us to express our interests in this beautiful country. The workload is huge with contestants coming from dozens of countries and their assistants. But if you try, you can do it.

Source: Vietnam News Bridge

Five contestants vie for the Miss Tibet 2007

By Phurbu Thinley

Dharamsala, October 5: Of the many events in the month of October in Dharamsala, probably the most glamorous one demanding much attention could well be Miss Tibet Beauty pageant.

This year, five contestants are vying for the beauty title after testing them through seven competition rounds.

Despite much insisted hype by Lobsang Wangyal, the man behind the beauty pageant, to add more contending beauties to his show, the number remains at dwindling low. In fact, for this year, there is one less in number compared to last year’s.

Nevertheless, Lobsang is adamant and is hopeful to add more contestants in coming years, as he promises to continue with the beauty show.

“The enthusiasm with which more than ten women applied is a clear sign of hope to have even more contestants in the future” Lobsang said at the beauty pageant’s press conference.

Deeki Dolma, 20, from Gangtok, Sikkim; Tenzin Dolma, 21, from McLeod Ganj; Tenzin Pema, 19, from Clement Town, Dehradun; Tenzing Dolma, 25, from Gangtok, Sikkim and Tsering Yangzom, 20, from Kollegal, Karnataka are contesting for this year’s Tibetan beauty title.

“To represent and promote Tibet by taking part in Miss Tibet,” is the sole purpose of taking part in the contest for Deeki Dolma from Sikkim.

Tenzin Pema, a BA first-year student in Delhi University, on the other, says her participation is “to encourage other young Tibetans to come forward and be expressive of their own”.

Before the actual final competition rounds would begin from 12 to 14 October, the contestants will undergo a week-long training, which among others includes yoga, dance and catwalk, Lobsang said. A week-long training will be accompanied by orientation on Tibetan history, culture and current affairs, environmental issues, human rights and music and, visits to Tibetan Government-in-Exile, NGOs and institutions.

The contestants were yesterday shown "Miss Tibet in Exile", a documentary film on Miss Tibet pageant, directed by Tashi Wangchuk and Tsultrim Dorjee of Tibet Motion Pictures & Arts.

Miss Tibet 2006, Tsering Chungdak successfully participated in the Miss Earth contest last year and won "Miss Good-Will" title of the pageant.

“We hope to produce yet another memorable edition of the Miss Tibet pageant,” says Lobsang.

Source: Phayul

Courtside charmer

By Giovanni Paolo J. Yazon

BEAUTY and brains are “two Bs” that’ll always be attached to the name of Catherine Untalan.

Beauty: This 21-year-old came close to winning a world beauty title. Cathy, her nickname, finished second runner-up in the Miss Earth pageant in November last year, which makes her the highest-placing Filipino candidate in this prestigious global search, to date.

Brains: She graduated cum laude with a degree in psychology at the University of the Philippines in Diliman; she’s now pursuing further studies in environment and natural resource management at UP’s Open University.

Add another B for basketball!

No, this six footer’s not an inclusion in this year’s lineup of the UP Lady Maroons, but she’s a delightful addition to the University Athletic Association of the Philippines’ new breed of courtside reporters along with Tracy Abad (University of the East), Rizza Diaz (National University), Vanna Lim (Ateneo de Manila University), Andi Manzano (Far Eastern University), Diane Querer (University of Santo Tomas), Sharon Yu (De La Salle University) and Aaron Atayde (Adamson University).

Cathy gives details on just about everything that happens on court—that sports commentators don’t get to see—like when one of the Fighting Maroons slashes his way to the basket or posts defenses!

The beginning

“It’s my fondness of basketball that motivated me to give courtside reporting a try. [I said to myself that maybe] it’d be interesting to see a courtside reporter that’s as tall as the basketball players,” she begins. “I auditioned during my last year in college [May of 2005, when ABS-CBN Sports advertised that they’d be having a screening].”

Cathy got a call from ABS-CBN after a year. “When they called me, they were unaware that I was already a beauty queen (she smiles).” As the cliché goes, the rest is history. She became a courtside reporter for the San Beda Red Lions team in the National Collegiate Athletic Association last year.

When asked if her NCAA stint helped her express ideas impeccably during her interviews at the Miss Earth pageant, Cathy says she thinks so. Months after she relinquished her crown as Miss Philippines-Earth of 2006, she again received a call from ABS-CBN Sports, inviting her to be a courtside reporter in this year’s season of UAAP, but this time for the UP Fighting Maroons. “I just hope that I’d be given another chance next year… it’s our [UP’s] 100th year!” she enthuses.

Her role models include sports anchors Dyan Castillejo and Luigi Trillo.

Must-haves

“You must be a college student, you have to look good in front of the camera, you have a working knowledge of the game [especially the terms commonly used], and you must be able to handle the pressure on court… because you will write your own spiels. We [courtside reporters] are also required to attend the practices of our respective teams. But overall, it’s fun!”

And speaking of fun, Cathy reveals some of her bloopers: “I read wrong names [of players] or swap the names of sports anchors. [While reporting for the Red Lions], I walked towards the camera while talking. The crew then asked me, Cathy, bakit ka naglalakad? I also used to say ‘thank you’ [after every report]. So they would tell me na kung mag-report daw ako pang-beauty pageant (she giggles).

“[But] what I like most about this job is that I get to show another side of my personality—the active [sporty] and cowboy side, especially when I tag along with the players. Frustration na rin, because I never had the chance to pursue any sport.” Cathy’s recruited to become part of the UP women’s basketball team. “…But I just tell them courtside reporter na lang ako (she smiles).”

The challenging part

“[There are times that] I tend to lose myself… nadadala ako ng game, but I still have to report. Coming from a champion team in NCAA last year, it’s [like it’s] hard to accept that my [present] team lost,” she sighs.

Should a courtside reporter come from the school that he or she is giving an account of? “There are two advantages: First is the school spirit, mas feel mo kasi and you’ll fight for your school through thick and thin. Second is the accessibility, since you know some people in your school, mas madali ang access to attend meetings or practices ng team. [On the contrary] you still have to deliver your reports well [than just having these advantages].”

And if you want to be a courtside reporter, Cathy says: “Do it not because of a vested interest [that you have a crush on a certain player, which is actually a running joke]. Do it for your school and do it for yourself. Practice a lot.”

Before we parted ways, Cathy gave this writer a sample of her favorite spiel: “I may be too optimistic in saying this, but I believe that even though it’s already the last quarter, the UP Fighting Maroons are still ‘gonna try and give all their best ‘til the very end of this game!”

Source: Manila Standard Today

Beauties battle for Miss Earth

Miss Earth ... Victoria Stewart. Picture: Alexander Alba Photography

By Saffron Howden

IT is a beauty pageant with an environmentally friendly message.

The Miss Earth Australia contest proves you can pose semi-naked on a beach and conserve the trees, too.

With environmental issues and climate change near the top of Australia's list of concerns these days, an entrepreneur decided to use busty blondes and brunettes to raise awareness of a planet in crisis.

The competition, in its fourth year in Australia, drew 36 contestants from all over the country in 2007.

A quick glance at the Miss Earth website suggests saving the environment is as much about climate change as it is about cleavage.

The winner of Australian Miss Earth, 21-year-old Canberra resident Victoria Stewart, has no qualms about posing in a bikini to enforce her views on global warming.

"There are many sources of natural pollution that face the world but I think the biggest issue is man-made pollution and environmental damage," she says on her website profile.

Ms Stewart will fly to the Philippines next month to compete in the international Miss Earth pageant.

If she wins, Australia could be graced with the international pageant next year.

Source: The Daily Telegraph

Company busy selecting beauties for int’l pageants

Miss Hai Duong Tran Thi Huong Giang

VietNamNet Bridge – As the season of international beauty contests is approaching, Elite Vietnam, the only agency authorised to select candidates, is burning the candle at both ends to come up with names to represent the country.

"Besides Miss International and Miss Asia, we will also select candidates for Miss World, Miss Earth, Miss International Tourism, etc,” said Thuy Nga, Elite Vietnam’s CEO. The names of the Vietnamese representatives for the upcoming Miss International, Miss Asia and Miss Young International 2007 have all been announced.

They are Pham Thi Thuy Duong, Tran Thi Huong Giang, and Nguyen Ai Chau, respectively. But the ticket to the most anticipated beauty pageant in the world, Miss World, is yet to have an owner.

We haven’t decided upon the candidate for Miss World 2007 yet, said Thuy Nga, who lately has been bombarded by questions regarding which one of numerous eligible candidates, including Miss Vietnam Global 2007, as well as the first and second runners-up in the same contest, will have that privilege.

According to Elite Vietnam, the selection process isn’t at all easy, since the decision doesn’t just depend on the agency itself, but also on lots of paperwork. “Sometimes the company wants to choose a particular girl but due to procedure-related difficulties, it has to select somebody else,” said an insider.

But when candidates have been selected, Elite Vietnam says it never puts pressure on them. “Instead, we only encourage them to do their best. And I often tell the girls that since they are good enough to be selected, they should believe in themselves,” said Thuy Nga.

The three beauties heading for Miss International, Miss Asia and Miss Young International are quite confident. Miss Hai Duong Tran Thi Huong Giang, who will take part in Miss Asia 2007, for instance, said, “I think at any beauty contest, our candidates have a right to be confident and hopeful.

With my knowledge of English, I can talk with foreign friends and introduce the Vietnamese country and people to them.” Miss Asia 2007 will take place from September 30 to October 28 in Hong Kong; Miss Young International 2007, from October 9-29 in Taiwan; and Miss International, also from September 30 to October 28 in Tokyo and Beijing.

Source: Vietnam Net Bridge

Ms. Earth '07 brings Bohol across world

As the province will host five of the 90 candidates of Miss Earth 2007, the affair would give a chance for Bohol eco-tourism be featured over at least 35 television networks in different countries.

The Miss Earth 2007 pageant will cover activities from October 25 to November 2.

The Carousel Productions, Inc. proposed to the provincial government that by hosting the candidates, Bohol's environmental advocacy will get international mileage and will be featured as one of the tourist destinations in the Philippines.

Bohol will accommodate four Miss Earth delegates and Miss Philippines-Earth for two days.

The telecast over ABS-CBN at 9:30 in the evening of November 11 will be replayed in 35 countries on Star World Channel, the largest cable television network in Asia and the Middle East and over 26 countries through The Filipino Channel and some participating countries in their local television stations.

The Miss Earth delegates will visit different Asian countries to see the highlights on peace, culture, environmental issues and tourism industry.

They will also visit the different tourist spots in the Philippines and, at the same time, experience the taste of the Filipino culture and hospitality.

There will also be a search for "Li'l Earth Angels" among boys aging seven to ten years old at the different malls and schools in different municipalities, environmental campaigns against global warming in schools, tree-planting, clean-up drive, and waste segregation, among others.

Special events include fashion shows showcasing swimsuit, long gown, talent and national costume competitions in different establishments. (AV-PGMA)

Source: The Bohol Chronicle

Miss Pakistan World 2007: Just in-case you missed Mahleej Sarkari

Just in-case you missed Miss Pakistan World 2007, we have the video in two parts below, the 5th annual Miss Pakistan World took place in Toronto, Canada.

25 year old Mahleej Sarkari from Karachi Pakistan won Miss Pakistan World 2007; people came from all around the world to participate.

Mahleej Sarkari will now be competing for the third largest pageant in the world: Miss Earth.

Miss Pakistan World 2007 Part 1, Part 2

Source: Product Reviews

Global warming just a parade

Water, water, everywhere: Bikini-clad girls found plenty of water to splash around in at the Miss Earth contest.

By Andrew Bolt

IT'S a toss-up as to who's making a bigger fool of themselves over climate change: our politicians or our Miss Earth contestants, Andrew Bolt writes.

At least the girls in the Miss Earth beauty pageant can afford to look stupid, since they aren't in charge of anything important, like the vanishing water supplies of our cities.

They've just wanted to preach green messages in a bikini and tiara, as they fought last week for the titles of Miss Earth Australia, Best in Swimsuit and Best Environmental Speech.

So, we could smile to read contestant Snezana declare that "Salinisation (sic) of land is one of the major environemtal (sic) crises facing Australia", and Kirra warn that "the biggest problem in our enviroment (sic) today is our lack of water".

At worst we'd have wondered how badly we teach English as Angelique demanded help for an "environmnet" in danger, and Natalia wept for an "enviornment (sic) that sustains us".

How cute, these earnest bikini babes, so keen to save something they cannot even spell.

But how scary, too, that many of these contestants want to save this thing they cannot spell from a threat they cannot understand.

You see, someone - a few of the girls dobbed in Al Gore - has filled their pretty heads with such wild fears of global warming that poor Amanda now wails that "the human race will eventually become extinct".

Scared silly, like so many children now, by professional panic merchants, it seems there's nothing these girls won't now blame on global warming; even tsunamis caused by earthquakes.

Christine, for instance, says she's been worried about global warming "from when the tsunami happened in Thailand back in December 2004".

"Hey! Me too," squeals Georgina.

"Aside from an increase in natural disasters such as the fateful tsunami of 2004 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005, smaller changes to weather patterns are slowly being recognised."

Of course, we mustn't blame the girls for believing something so stupid when even Great Guru Gore has falsely suggested global warming caused Hurricane Katrina, the melting snows of Kilimanjaro, the drying of Lake Chad, the immigration of Pacific islanders and whatever else he dreams up when flying here to tell us to cut the kind of emissions he just blew out the back of his jet.

And I ask again: Who really is making a bigger fool of themselves over global warming; these harmless beauty contestants or our politicians, now watching our dams drain dry?

The girls may think global warming causes earthquakes, but our politicians just as stupidly claim it's causing our cities to run out of water.

Here is New South Wales Premier Morris Iemma last Friday, explaining why Sydney is getting permanent water restrictions: "The changes brought by climate change are going to change the way we use water."

Victoria's politicians have used the same line. Here is our since departed Minister for No Water, John Thwaites, excusing water restrictions that are killing our playing fields and gardens: "So all the evidence points to a significant involvement of global warming in the present drought."

How handy, that global warming bogyman. Blame global warming for Melbourne's dams now being 7 per cent lower now than they were even last year, when things got grim.

Blame global warming for the Brumby Government having to reassure us last week that Melbourne won't run out of drinking water this year, at least. Gosh, don't blame the Government instead for having such a green phobia about a new dam that we may run out of water the year after.

What deceitful men. Or stupid.

For a start, no scientist can tell if any drought yet has been caused by the slight global warming of 0.7 degrees thought to have occurred last century.

Let's not forget we've had many droughts before in our "land of droughts and flooding rains". Indeed, the driest five years in NSW in the past century were from 1940 to 1944, and Victoria's past five years have been no drier than what we suffered then, too.

Bureau of Meteorology figures suggest we may just be returning to the drier weather of the first 45 years of last century.

In NSW, the average annual rainfall back then was just 475mm. Then came years of plenty, averaging 567mm, but since 1996 the annual rainfall has fallen back to an average of 511mm - still well up on the usual rainfall of the post-war years. So what drought?

Victoria's weather has followed much the same pattern: Dry years until 1945, followed by years of good rain until a decade ago, when the dry returned. Our average annual rainfall from 1996 has been 571mm, much less than the post-war average until then of 671mm, but not much less than the pre-war average of 603mm.

Droughts come and droughts go, and it's impossible to see the influence of any man-made global warming. So why should this make you furious with our politicians?

Because the history of this continent's weather should have told them to prepare for dry years of the kind we've had so often before.

Because it should have told them they were mad to waste dam water on environmental flows for rivers that had survived years far drier than these.

And because by blaming global warming instead of themselves, they make sweet girls like Miss Earth's Krystle shake on their stilettos, sure that "the ultimate end of existence of Earth and man is global warming".

Fear not, Krystle, stupidity will kill us more surely than global warming.

Source: Herald Sun

Tanisha Vernon is Miss Belize Universe and Larriean Samuels is Miss Belize Earth

The Miss Belize pageant was held this past Saturday in Belize City and Tanisha Vernon won the title. She will now represent Belize at the Miss Universe pageant in 2008. Yesterday she paid us at visit and told us she is all excited about her new title.

Tanisha Vernon,Miss Belize Universe:

“Right now I’m overwhelmed with enthusiasm. I’m feeling wonderful. It’s definitely an honor to be given this position. And it’s not only a position but it’s a job that you have to maintain and I hope at the end, I can represent my country to the fullest. I think my maintenance of confidence and my hard work and I always kept it in my mind that I’m in it to win it. I maintained my objective and that’s basically what helped me to pull through.”

Vernon told us also that during her reign she plans to work very much with community groups.

Tanisha Vernon,Miss Belize Universe:

“My plan of action is to be more active in my community, work more in Alliance with AIDS. It’s an organization that deals with HIV/AIDS. I noticed that it’s a universal problem worldwide and Belize is one of the Central American country that has one of the highest percentage of HIV/AIDS. And to be apart of that,it’s definitely a task. I mean I have friends and relatives that died from this disease and so I’m faced with it first hand; not only behind the scenes but I see the up close and personal effect that it has on people’s lives. Also with orphanage, being more active in schools, probably reading to the children,help with future pageants at the tertiary and secondary level, and give motivational speeches to those young ladies that probably want to be or vie for the title next year in 2008.”

Love News also spoke with new Miss Belize Earth, Larriean Samuels. Samuels said she is honored to be an ambassador for Belize and that during her reign will try to fulfill all her responsibilities.

Larriean Samuels,Miss Belize Earth:

“It was a very exciting and a little bit nerve-racking experience, and I am very honored to be an ambassador of this country. It’s more of a prestige job I would say,that not any women has the opportunity to do here in Belize. I was very determined and very hungry. I took instructions very well, advice I listened and I executed and I would definitely say that that helped me to win the pageant and being very focused.At this moment I am open. During the course of my reign I’m sure there will be many opportunities that are open. I will experience and I will be aware of things that I didn’t know before and from then I would choose but right now at this moment I am interested in business but in dealing with the environment and everything you never know where your passion may change to a whole 360.”

In the case that either Vernon or Samuels cannot fulfill their duties the first runner up Jesse Medina will take up the post. Medina plans to assist in community service and promote the tourism sector in Belize.

Source: Love FM

Miss Belize Leilah Pandy to Compete in Miss Earth

Pageants Belize Ltd. is pleased to announce that Belize will be represented for the first time at the Miss Earth pageant in the Philippines in October. Miss Leilah Pandy has been chosen to compete as Miss Belize Earth in the Philippines capital Manila, from October 21 to November 11, when Miss Earth will be crowned.

Pageant’s Belize Director Margaret Johnson says that the time is right for Belize to increase its participation in international pageants. Competing at Miss Earth for the first time this year, says Johnson, is the beginning of a new and exciting thrust in the Pageants Belize developmental plan. Along with the crowning of Miss Belize Universe and Miss Belize International on Saturday night and the participation of Miss Felicita Arzu at the Miss World Pageant in November and December this year, Belize will be poised to take part in the “big four” international beauty pageants in the 2007/2008 season.

Miss Pandy was crowned Miss Belize in 2003 and represented Belize at Miss Universe 2004. She won Miss Costa Maya in 2003 and was third runner up and Miss Culture and Miss Academic at Miss Mesoamerica International held in Las Vegas, Nevada in September, 2003.

Miss Pandy will engage in a series of events leading up to her departure for the Philippines on October 17, 2007.


Source: Belizean.com

Kids learn all about environment at PDI

MANILA, Philippines -- Two jeepney drivers who learn about the benefits of alternative fuels. Three boys who thoughtlessly destroy a fairy’s garden and then discover the importance of the environment.

These were the characters in the stories featured at yesterday’s Inquirer Read-Along session which focused on the environment.

Featured readers were the reigning Little Earth Angel of 2007, Denise Mikaela Abuan, and returning storytellers from the Sophia School in Meycauayan.

Abuan, a student at Roosevelt College in Montalban who turned 11 in May, read “Hari ng Kalsada,” a brainchild of the Sustainable Energy Development Program (SEDP) of the US Agency for International Development and US Department of Energy.

Abuan said she believed even children her age could help the country in small ways.

“We can plant trees [and] separate biodegradable waste from non-biodegradables,” she said with a shy smile.

The Little Earth Angel pageant is part of the Miss Earth Foundation activities and involves children aged 7 to 10.

Storytellers from Sophia School, returning for the third time to the Inquirer Read-Along, read Rene Villanueva’s “Si Emmang Engkantada at ang Tatlong Haragan” (Emma the Enchantress and the Three Bums).

Teachers Ann Abacan, Doray Carable, Ellie Carable, Lorna Mendoza and Osang de la Vega used the chamber theater format to bring the story of three wayward-boys-turned-environment-lovers to life.

Chamber theater is a method of adapting literary works to the stage with minimal sets. In the Sophia School’s production, each teacher read the part of a character.

After the reading, Teacher Ann asked the children: “Do we need a fairy to teach us how to take care of our environment?” to which the children replied a resounding, “No.”

“We choose stories where children will learn a lesson. In this case, the lesson is helping the environment, which people seem to have forgotten,” said Teacher Osang.

“Hari ng Kalsada,” written by Dhee Paredes, an information, education and communication specialist at the SEDP, was originally in English and was first read by US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney during the National Earth Day celebration on April 20. It was translated into Filipino by Paredes herself to better capture the hearts of Filipino children.

Thinking that a more visual medium would be more effective, Paredes decided to turn the story into a comic book, with her brother-in-law, Radel Paredes, a columnist of the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s sister publication, the Cebu Daily News, doing the illustrations. A cinema ad version of the story will be launched by Artistshop Co. Inc. in October. TV commercials and coloring books based on the story are in the pipeline.

Paredes said their organization decided to tap younger audiences through Inquirer Read-Along and other media in order to better disseminate information about biofuels and environment protection to the younger generation.

“It is important that children understand what biofuels are for,” said Paredes.

Coco-biodiesel, or coconut methyl ester (CME), and ethanol are considered to be ecologically benign fuels.

The Biofuels Act of 2006, passed in January 12 this year, provides that at least 1 percent of biodiesel be mixed with the diesel fuel sold in the country.

Other contributors to the program were Krispy Kreme donuts and Hands On Manila.

The Inquirer Read-Along program, which aims to impart the love of reading to children aged 7 to 13, is held on the second and fourth Saturday of the month at the Inquirer main office on Chino Roces Avenue in Makati City.

The next session will be on Sept. 22 and will feature Ms Philippines-Earth 2007 Jean Harn and Ms Earth-Water 2006 Catherine Untalan, also of SEDP.

Interested parties may call Ellen Caparros or Girlie Refran at 897-8808, local 329. Those interested in donating books for the program may e-mail inquirer-readalong@inquirer.com.ph. Eliza Victoria, Inquirer Research

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer

Manawatu the best

By JUDITH LACY - Tribune

Miss Manawatu Claire Kirby thought she'd made too many mistakes to win another crown last Sunday - she was wrong.

She was named Miss Earth New Zealand at a dinner in Auckland and will represent the country at the international Miss Earth pageant, to be held in Manila, Philippines, on November 11.

The 19 year old's win was a double bonus for Manawatu with 2006 Miss Manawatu Rachel Crofts second.

Miss Kirby, who works at Passion Deli & Cafe in Feilding, told The Tribune she didn't think she had a chance of winning as she thought her hair and make-up didn't look the best. She also felt she'd made a number of "mistakes" including running late for the swimwear parade and, feeling flustered, struggling to undo the knot she'd tied in her sarong. The seven contestants also had to model ballgowns and cocktail dresses and give a three-minute speech - Miss Kirby spoke about her trip to India last year. Contestants were interviewed by the judges and asked about the message they would take to the environmentally themed pageant.

In the audience were Miss Kirby's family, Miss Manawatu franchise owner Kate Balfour and Miss Manawatu judge Diane Bate.

Miss Kirby will spend about three weeks in the Philippines preparing for the pageant and attending events.

Miss Crofts also won the best ballgown award. Two previous Miss Earth New Zealand winners have come from Manawatu - Rachel Tucker (2004) and Tiffany Pickford (2005).

Source: Manawatu Standard Tribune

Miss Earth 2006 to hit Vietnam

VietNamNet Bridge – Miss Earth 2006 Hil Yesenia from Chile is scheduled to visit HCM City to attend the International Travel Expo HCM City 2007 from October 5-7.

Miss Yesenia will spend around 5 days in the city and take part in community events as well as exchanges with audiences. Three other beauty queens from Singapore, the Philippines and Vietnam are also scheduled to participate in the fair.

The beauties’ detailed schedule is yet to be announced.

Miss Earth is one of the most prestigious beauty titles in the world. In 2006, Hil Yesenia became the first Chilean to be crowed Miss Earth. With the height of 1.8 m, she has taken part in other international beauty pageants including Miss World 2003 and 2004 as well as Miss Earth 2004.

Source: Vietnam Net Bridge and Lao Dong