A back-to-back victory is a rare feat in pageantry.
And though few and far between, it happens once in a while – the latest being the Philippines’ historic back-to-back feat at the recently-concluded Miss Grand International competition.
With Australia winning the title as 2024 Miss Earth, Philstar.com asked this year’s delegate, Alexa Roder, if her country is ready to achieve a back-to-back win.
“Australia would love to achieve a back-to-back victory. I am ready to take on the responsibility from my compatriot Jessica Lane,” said Alexa. “As a Law graduate, I would partner with an Australian law firm that specializes on environmental work. My Law degree made me understand about reforms.
The beauty queen commended Australians as strong pageant contenders, praising her predecessor’s connection with global audiences and sharing her own advocacy centered on food production and caring for Indigenous people.
The Filipino-Australian was chosen as the Bronze medalist as Darling of the Press during a media presentation alongside Ghana’s Cheri Nana Ama Asher Ayisi (Gold medalist) and Belize’s Paris Cawich (Silver medalist).
Alexa just completed her academic requirements for her Bachelor of Laws, with Honors at the Queensland University of Technology and will be dabble in Corporate and Environmental Space upon commencing her legal profession.
“There’s a place and time to what needs to be done. I enjoy being an environmental advocate as I deeply care for Mother Nature,” Alexa continued. “I grew up in a small coastal town in Australia called Yeppoon. It’s where you’ll feel the waves, the sand, as well as hear the laughter of children playing on the beachfront.”
She calls her mom, also a lawyer, her inspiration for joining pageantry and growing, “Growing up with a Filipino mom made me see all the Filipina queens that you somehow wanted to be like them.”
It comes as no surprise that a fellow Filipino-Australian is another inspiration for Alexa, “Catriona Gray resonates the most with me. She has the bigger purpose and her resilience is awe-inspiring.”
The Davao-born beauty queen shared a time she experienced an earthquake in the province, something she never gets in Australia as it isn’t on a tectonic plate.
“My hometown is far from the snow-capped mountains where the winters are. Our town is hot, that’s why I dream about a white Christmas,” ended Alexa.
Jennifer Lane of Australia is the reigning Miss Earth winner. Her victory last year catapulted Australia into the circle of pageant powerhouses that include Venezuela, the Philippines, USA, Puerto Rico, and Brazil.
She will relinquish her crown to the new Miss Earth titleholder on November 5 at the Okada Manila. Among the hopefuls is the Philippines’ own Joy Barcoma. Stay tuned!