Karen Ibasco was crowned as Miss Philippines Earth 2017 on 16th July 2017 and then she went to become Miss Earth 2017 on 4th November 2017, bringing the glory for the Philippines for the fourth time. A beauty with intellect, Karen now joins the growing list of smart, academic achievers who turned out to be the winners of Beauty Pageants.
This physicist/DOST scholar/university instructor/ academic achiever is perhaps the first scientist to win the Miss Earth competition to date.
She holds many degrees in academics. A B.S. Applied Physics Major in Instrumentation (Graduated Cum Laude) and an M.Sc. Applied Physics Major in Medical Physics (Graduated Cum Laude), she is a Former Faculty member of the University of Santo Tomas College of Science and also a Former Radiation Oncology Medical Physicist of St. Luke's Medical Centre, Global City.
She has categorically mentioned many times that she wants to utilize her background to create awareness among people so that they would care about the environment. The well-spoken lady also believes that the pageant is a great platform to reach out to a wider range of audience to make them understand the science behind climate change. Recently during an International Climate Change Conference also, she was spotted talking about how science is the key to lessen the grave effect climate change is causing in the environment.
In fact, in her Miss Philippines Earth 2017 profile, Karen talked about understanding the consumption of energy in everyday life.
"As a physicist, I understand the importance of daily consumption of energy, that is why my environmental advocacy is the conservation of energy and to embrace renewable and sustainable sources of energy in exchange for fossil fuel, which contributes to a huge percentage in global warming," the reigning Miss Earth said.
Her environmental advocacy is also tied to her profession as a physicist. She understands the dynamics of physics and energy and says that this is why her cause is towards renewable sources of energy in the country. She also aspires to spread awareness among people regarding environmental issues.
Karen has a simplistic beauty that is enhanced by her beautiful mind. Brain and beauty do go hand in hand when it comes to this crowned queen Miss Earth 2017.