Philippines' Angelia Ong wins 2015 Miss Earth title

Filipina Angelia Ong was crowned 2015 Miss Earth at the Marx Halle in Vienna, Austria on Saturday night (early Sunday morning in Manila), giving the Philippines back-to-back titles in the beauty contest.

Ong, a 25-year-old marketing management student at the De La Salle-College of St. Benilde, beat more than 80 contestants from around the world.

She succeeded the crown from 2014 Miss Earth Jamie Herrell, also a Filipina.

It is the first time in 15 years since two Filipinas won the title in a row.

The runners-up were: Dayanna Grageda of Australia, who was named Miss Earth Air (first runner-up); Brittany Payne as Miss Earth Water (second runner-up) and Thiessa Sickert as Miss Earth Fire (third runner-up). 

In a Radio ng Bayan interview, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma commended Ong on  her victory.

"Ipinaparating po natin kay Binibining Angelia Ong ang pagbati ng buong bansa dahil sa kanyang tagumpay sa pageant ng Miss Earth. Ito po ay pagpapatunay muli sa kagandahan, katalinuhan, at kahusayan ng kababaihang Pilipina at ng mga Pilipino sa mga pandaigdigang kompetisyon na idinaraos din naman para palawigin ang pakikipagkaibigan at kooperasyon ng iba't ibang bansa," Coloma was quoted saying during the interview, "Congratulations po at best wishes para sa kanya." —ALG/AT, GMA News