Carousel Productions, together with Reign Project Management, held a media conference for the reigning Miss Earth Jessica Lane and her elemental court – Hrafnhildur “Raven” Haraldsdottir of Iceland (Air) and Bea Milan Windorski of the United States (Water) – at the Luxent Hotel ballroom in Quezon City.
“I fell in love with the Philippines not only because my close friend back home is a Filipina, but also because I saw the same passion families and communities share with their loved ones.
“After my reign, I will be back here in Manila more often in the future, just like other Earth queens before me,” said Jessica.
“I’ll run away with the crown, I’m not giving it up,” quipped the Australian beauty, whose victory allowed her country to become a pageant powerhouse.
Lane is set to graduate from college next year. The beauty queen advocates sustainable fashion. She noted how Miss Earth empowers young women to create changes and “somehow rectify excesses left by earlier generations.”
“To all global leaders, please listen because people around the world are affected by the onslaught of climate change; as scientists have shown proof, especially the youth whose future you are impacting. I’ve experienced bush fire and flooding in Australia, too! Protection against climate crisis is so important! We are all Earth citizens,” said the reigning Miss Earth.
She recalled a beach cleanup with children volunteers where the participants had difficulty discerning between waste and natural things because they saw shells and garbage as the same, having grown up with trash all their lives.
The mid-afternoon event was graced by Miss Earth 2004 Priscila Mereilles of Brazil and Miss Earth Air 2016 Michelle Gomez of Colombia, as well as Miss Charm Germany 2025 Luisa Victoria Malz.
Platform for good
For Filipina-American Bea, she plans to pursue law in the country.
“I intend to continue my journey in a legal capacity. The realities of climate change is felt by us, especially here in the Philippines. Miss Earth is a ripple effect of change. I will support it for the next 25 years, and the 25 years after that. Miss Earth should connect with a multitude of people,” said Bea.
Bea’s mother hails from La Union, where a magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck off the its coast.
The Filipina-American revealed that she recently joined a rally in Manila and saw how politics is connected with environmental protection. She said that people should communicate more about disaster preparedness, especially in light of recent events.
“Climate will manifest itself until you’re the one filming it. This summer, my hometown in Milwaukee was flooding. As a climate refugee, and if you feel that pageantry can help propel your advocacy, then join the Miss Earth platform. My home state has the largest number of misplaced individuals from causes not of their doing. That’s the reason why I volunteered to be a tutor for English as secondary language since middle school,” she shared.
This year, the Miss Earth Organizations is expecting more or less 80 international delegates. They will all be formally presented to members of the media next week.
Raven, meanwhile, said that she would continue with her Chemical Engineering degree. She sees the Miss Earth as a platform that people can contribute to and advocate for environmental protection.
“I gathered girls from the pageant community in my hometown and went on a cleanup drive. I remembered my mom telling us how she survived a snow avalanche when she was 16. Growing up with this tragic story changed my outlook in life.
“My hometown has 312 people living therein and I felt incredible going on a beach cleanup drive. Don’t let people stop you from doing what you believe in,” the Icelandic beauty said.
The 25th Miss Earth edition finals will unfold on November 5 at the Okada Manila. Stay tuned!