Here's to Mother Earth beauty contests that use recyclable materials

MANILA, May 7 (PNA) -- Beauty pageants are now widely used as means to actively involve the youth in the conservation and improvement of the environment.


Although they may be jeered as “gaya-gaya” (devoid of originality), they have apparently been effective in boosting awareness campaign for such age bracket as target.


Another environment and earth-friendly competition was the Miss Teen and Little Miss Earth Philippines 2012 recently held at the Trace Leisure Club in Los Banos, Laguna.


The event is an annual campaign focusing on educating the youth on environmental awareness and to encourage it to actively promote the preservation of the environment.


Since the pageant began seven years ago, it has been encouraging eco-fashion designs that are eco-friendly, meaning, all the costumes of the participants were made from recyclable materials -– used plastics, aluminum foil, styro foam, organic materials, etc.


The event, which was conceptualized in 2005, was patterned after Miss Earth competition, an annual international beauty pageant promoting environmental awareness.


Like the international pageant, Miss Teen and Little Miss Earth Philippines 2012 also aim to to assure that each of the participating candidates is not just physically beautiful but environmentally knowledgeable as well.


In this year’s event, the winners were Chastine Earl Nolasco as Miss Teen Earth Philippines 2012; Jevalene Delizo, first runner-up; Gemmalyn Samson, second runner-up;


Fave Enriquez as Miss Pre-Teen Earth Philippines 2012; Maela Madel Cahigas, first runner-up; Monica Jane Ilagan, second runner-up; and 


Akira Sapla as Little Miss Earth Philippines 2012; Sandra Unno, first runner-up; and Lujille Watanabe, second runner-up. (PNA)
DCT/RSV/LOR/MTY