Many pageant fans expressed their disappointment over the results of the chosen finalists at Miss Earth 2025, with some pointing out that those who failed to make the cut, including the Philippines’ Joy Barcoma, performed better at the Top 8 question-and-answer segment.
Before the eight semi-finalists were narrowed down to the Final Four, the candidates’ wits were put to the test at the first round of question-and-answer portion. Each contestant was given a keyword which they are asked to expound on in their own words.
While the global pageant crowns the one who is a ‘total package,’ Miss Earth said the delegates would be judged based on these four key aspects during pre-pageant events: on intelligence and environmental awareness; beauty of face and poise; fitness and form; and, attitude.
However, netizens weren’t happy with the chosen finalists since according to them, they were some of the weakest among the eight, while the runners-up had better performances when it comes to expressing their thoughts on the chosen topic.
Other pageant fans called out the Miss Earth organization for ‘robbing’ the Filipina beauty queen of the chance to enter the final four despite her strong performance.
‘Bakit parang yung alanganin sa Q and A, sila pa naging top 4? Brazil and Ph nailed the Q and A eh (Why those who didn’t have a satisfactory performance at the QandA were chosen as the Top 4? Brazil and the Philippines nailed the QandA),’ one @PauloEspinosaa said on X (formerly Twitter).
With the controversial segment in mind, take a look at how the runners-up performed below:
Joy Barcoma of the Philippines, Miss Earth 2025 runner-up
‘No one is above the law, and we hope that everyone can hear this message. Every decision that our politicians are making, every policies that our government officials are passing for our people affects the lives of everybody. Social justice, environmental justice is also human justice. And we must make sure that every law that will be passed is a right for every person on Earth. Thank you.’
Laila Frizon of Brazil, Miss Earth 2025 runner-up
‘Corruption is a bad thing that ever happened in our world. But we need to choose our leaders because when we have good people in control, we can have a better future. So we need to invest in education, educate people to choose our leaders. Thank you.’
Mariia Zheliaskova of Ukraine, Miss Earth 2025 runner-up
‘I’m actively using ChatGPT and AI and I constantly think that this is our future. But we need to remember that artificial intelligence will not keep work for all, so I’m here to protect people for artificial intelligence will be co-existing happily with all of us. Thank you so much.’
Nathalie Briones of Chile, Miss Earth 2025 runner-up
‘I do believe that hope is something fundamental in our lives. Hope is the light that guides our path in life. But hope, it also comes from our actions. And that is why I hope for a future where Mother Earth will be loved and protected by us, the human beings. That is the biggest hope we can aspire to.’
Meanwhile, here is the performance of the finalists at the global tilt:
‘For me, this is a very specific word because when I was 16 years old, I unfortunately lost my father. He passed away. And this is one thing that changed my life completely. And I still, till this day, find the strength in me to not only fight for my dreams, to find the strength, but to also to fight for the future and to fight for our environment. And this is the reason why I’m standing here today. And I’m pretty sure that my dad is watching me from up there.’
Soldis Ivarsdottir of Iceland, Miss Earth – Air 2025
‘Our Earth is our all place. We deserve to be here and we all deserve rights. We should all come together and take care of our Earth and give back to the Earth what we deserve because we, together, we can, together we can make the Earth greener for tomorrow. Thank you.’
My Anh Trinh of Vietnam, Miss Earth – Water 2025
‘The planet Earth, leadership is actually a very special word. With our leadership, we can now act to save the planet. With leadership, we can do everything, we can save earth, we can collect shaft and reserve. I believe that if we reduce, reuse, and recycle, and with the leadership, we can help people and educate children to save the planet and help it greener. Thank you.’
Waree Ngamkham of Thailand, Miss Earth – Fire 2025
‘We have motivation in us, but the moment comes, we bring motivation to us. Someone in front of us and that person bring that power for us, to motivate us to move forward. And I believe as a little girl that motivation pushed me forward and make me stand here today as a girl and be succeed. Thank you.’