By MARY LOUISE LIGUNAS

 

Last night, Filipino-Australian Vanessa Mae Walters from Mandaue City was crowned as the first Miss Teen Earth, while Maria Bernadette Datu from Bataan was named the first Little Miss Earth.

 

Walters emphasized the importance of working together to create more impact on the environment. “In my perspective, (we) Filipinos (underestimate) what’s happening in our country today… (We should) do our very best to help our country’s environment (and) let’s all work as one to do so,” she said.

 

Aside from taking home the title, she also won Best in Active Wear, and Best in Evening Gown.

 

Kryzza Mel Hilay won first runner-up, Deanne Patricia Carmel Perez won second runner-up, Ella Eiveren Lubag won third runner-up and Angeline Stephanie Passion won fourth runner-up.

 

In the competition for the Little Miss Earth crown, winner Bernadette Datu also bagged the Best in Talent award. Meanwhile, Joyce Carmela Angedan, Alexis Ann Navarro, Hannah Almarie, and Bethany Ramos were first, second, third and fourth runner-ups, respectively.

 

The coronation night was held in the Mall of Asia Arena and was hosted by Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 2011 Shamcey Supsup-Lee, Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 2010 Venus Raj, and multi-awarded Kapuso actress Carla Abellana. Mid-pageant updates were delivered by Miss World 2011 First Princess Gwendoline Ruais and Bb. Pilipinas-International 2008 Patricia Fernandez.

 

The finals night also featured high-calibre and inspiring performances from local stars. Jay-R, together with Gloc 9 shared their rendition of Kabataan Para Sa Kinabukasan, originally by the late Master Rapper Francis M. Aicelle Santos and Maricris Garcia, along with Mel Villena and the AFP Big Band, also wowed the audiences with their reggae version of Noypi by Bamboo. R&B and Soul Princess Kyla, meanwhile, delivered her inspiring take on Smokey Mountain’s Better World, together with the Hail Mary the Queen Children’s Choir, Mel Villena and the AMP Big Band.

 

The Miss Teen Earth and Little Miss Earth is on its first year, and is an endeavor to unite Filipinos, especially the younger generations, to conserve, preserve and protect the environment.