The first grand virtual coronation for Miss Earth Philippines 2020 was conducted on 5th July 2020 where Roxanne Allison Baeyens from the city of Baguio was crowned Miss Earth Philippines 2020 at the end of the event finale. The coronation ceremony was telecasted on GMA Network. Roxanne Allison Baeyens succeeded Miss Earth Philippines 2019 Janelle Lazo Tee as the new queen and will represent the Philippines at Miss Earth 2020 pageant. The 33 delegates from all over the country performed exceptionally well and impressed all the judges and fans across the world with their witty answers, talent, and skills.
Before the announcement of the winner, the top 5 delegates asked the same question that tested their prudence and confidence.
“What important quality should a leader display amidst a pandemic?”
Roxanne Allison Baeyens from Baguio City who was crowned Miss Earth Philippines 2020 shared that prior to the competition she was very excited to train with the delegates and felt very comfortable and tried to make the most out of the time they had together before the lockdown was announced. She further answered, “A leader should display having a green thumb because at this point in time we have a shortage in food supply. So, it’s important to open the eyes of people to embrace having a sustainable life to start urban agriculture at their own homes after all a green life is a better life and I hope the leader will give that to us.”
Patrixia Santos from Daraga Albay who was crowned as Miss Earth Air Philippines 2020 shared that there are various challenges for conducting a beauty pageant online one of them is the venue, videographer, and entire co-ordination with people involved was challenging. She continued with her final answer, “The most important quality that a leader should display during the pandemic is empathy. I believe that the leader should be able to put themselves in the shoes of the people and understand how the people feel, need, and prioritize. As we move forward in this pandemic, people would need a leader who understands their needs and do what they can.”
Shane Tormes from Atimonan Quezon who was crowned Miss Earth Fire Philippines 2020 shared that during the pandemic, she has learned to cook. She further answered her question, “A quality that a leader should have or display is compassion. When a leader has compassion, the people would be triggered to follow them during such times. The pandemic is once in a lifetime opportunity for us to rethink our actions as well as the nature. Let’s remember that we’re all in this together and to reach the destination of healing we must be united and grow together.”
Gianna Llanes from Madaluyong who was crowned Miss Earth Water Philippines 2020 shared that this was her third pageant and all her preparation was mental especially because it was a virtual pageant. She further answered her question, “A leader nationwide and international during the pandemic should show more compassion. With the pandemic moving forward, the people would need hope, strength, and helping hand in tough times like this. This is something I do as a leader among my peers and would like leaders to do the same.”
Ilysa Mendoza from Fil-Melbourne who was crowned Miss Earth Philippines Eco 2020 answered the question by mentioning, she is very excited and feels honored to be a part of the competition. Miss Earth Philippines 2020 is the first pageant Ilysa has participated and she feels extremely nervous and excited to be here. She continued with her answer stating, “One of the qualities that a leader should display during the pandemic is the communication. Because the pandemic is not just in one country, it is across the world and in such tough times, everyone needs to be together and united. I hope that the government can communicate with each other to help each other in such times.”
The coronation ceremony was conducted via the Zoom meeting platform, where delegates performed exceptionally well from their own respective locations. They were judged by Miss Earth 2005 Alexandra Barun; Joise Mari Abacan; vice president for Program management, GMA Network, Miss Earth 2010 Nicole Faria, Carlos Bacani; Marketing director of peerless products, makers of Hana Shampoo, Former beauty queen Buzanne Gonalez Gommer, and Matthias Geleber; eco-speaker and an advocate for environmental management and corporate social responsibility. The ceremony was hosted by Paolo Bediones.