Karen Ibasco crowned as Miss Philippines Earth 2017

(Photo Courtesy by Google Images)

Karen Ibasco was crowned the newest Miss Philippines Earth last July 25 at the Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City.

Ibasco, 26, defeated 39 other candidates that were vying for the prestigious title this year. The top 10 went through a question and answer portion where each picked one of the selected social issues in the country with a corresponding hashtag to it. Ibasco got #fake news and answered: “Nowadays, a lot of people distribute fake news but one of the most important medium is social media. We have to disseminate…and also to filter the right information not just for yourself but… but also to the people in your circle of influence.” This answer paved way for her to enter the final round along with other four candidates who joined her on the top 5.

In the final Q and A, every contestant was asked on what they wanted to change about the environmental policies of the country. Ibasco replied: “Everyone [is] experiencing climate change. I’m just grateful that the Philippines has signed the Paris Treaty. What I want to see is to pass a carbon tax. In that way, we would invest in renewable energy to help our world to be a better place, greener, inhabitable for the whole country.”

(From left to right: Miss Philippines Fire Nellza Bautista, Miss Philippines Air Kim de Guzman, Miss Philippines Earth Karen Ibasco, Miss Philippines Water Jessica Marasigan, and Miss Eco-tourism Vanessa Mae Castillo. Photo Courtesy by Business Mirror)

Ibasco came on top and won Miss Philippines Earth while Vanessa Mae Castillo was Miss Eco-tourism; Nellza Bautista was named Miss Philippines Fire; Jessica Marasigan as Miss Philippines Water; and Kim de Guzman was Miss Philippines Air.

Winning the crown, Ibasco will represent the country in the upcoming Miss Earth 2017 this November that will be held in Manila.