Miss Philippines Earth 2023

Siniloan delegate is crowned the Philippines' Woman of the Earth' 2023

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte

Yllana Marie Aduana bested 27 other delegates to win this year's Miss Philippines Earth title. A favorite right from the start, the beauteous and curvy representative of Siniloan, Laguna breezed through all the stages of competition, and even won the hotly-contested Swimsuit Round. She was also named Miss Hana earlier in the evening.

Pageant fans and supporters is of the belief that Aduana will bring her winning streak to the international finals. She has, by winning the national title, redeemed herself from her loss from the Binibining Pilipinas pageant last year, where she placed in the Top 12.

Her advocacy on Earth Education, where she conducts periodic symposia on environmental issues, has been gaining ground among the youth in her community in Laguna.

This year's theme is ME Love 20 Tree and Yllana chose the coconut, the tree of life! After besting 27 other hopefuls, she was crowned by outgoing queen Jenny Ramp in a glitzy ceremony that was broadcast through Carousel Productions' online channels on YouTube and Facebook.

Her elemental court is comprised of Kerri Reilly (Miss Philippines - Air) of Mangataren, Pangasinan, Jemimah Joy Zabala (Miss Philippines - Water) of Puerto Princesa City, Sha'uri Livori (Miss Philippines - Fire) of the Filipino Community of Melbourne Australia, and Athena Auxillo (Miss Philippines Eco-Tourism) of Toledo City.

The other ladies who made it to the semifinal round were Iloilo City, San Jose City (Nueva Ecija), Dipolog City, Taguig City, and the Filipino Community of Milan, Italy; while the delegates from Tuburan (Cebu), Zamboanga City, Carrascal (Surigao del Sur), San Pascual (Batangas), and Balayan (Batangas) made the first cut to the Top 15.

Earth warriors follow the 5 R's of sustainability - Reduce, Recycle, Reuse, Rethink, and Respect. This year's batch of Earth warriors have their sights on the 17 Sustainable Goals for the Earth's conservation efforts.

Toledo City, this year's pageant venue, is a city that uses sustainable energy. The presence of solar farms within its bounds is an attestation to its greener perspective and agenda. Next year, they may host the national pageant again.

The other recipients of the special awards were Jones (Isabela), Tungawan (Zamboanga Sibugay), and Dipolog City for Best Cultural Attire; as well as Iloilo City, Taguig, and Carrascal (Surigao del Sur) for Best Eco Video.

This year's panel of judges were show producer Jhett Tolentino, Maybelle Radicho, fashion designer Cary Santiago, Mark Colmenares, Carlos Bacani, Miss Earth 2019 Nellys Pimentel, and Carousel Productions veep Lorraine Schuck.

Thus far, the Philippines has won four Miss Earth titles - Karla Paula Henry (2008), Jamie Harrell (2014), Angelia Ong (2015), and Karen Ibasco (2017). If Yllana wins the international finals this year, she'll be the fifth Filipina to have won the crown.