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Bataan gives hero’s welcome to Miss Earth Eco-Tourism 2014
Monique Teruelle Manuel of Dinalupihan, Bataan (second from left) may be the shortest among the Miss Earth 2014 winners, but she stands just as proudly as her fellow beauty queens. Left of Manuel is Kimberly Covert of Dumaguete (Miss Water), and to her right are Jamie Herrel from Cebu City (Miss Earth), Diane Carmela Querer from Tanauan City (Miss Air) and Bianca Paz from Gapan City (Miss Fire). Danny Pata
BALANGA City — Bataan on Tuesday gave a jubilant hero’s welcome to newly-crowned Miss Earth Eco-Tourism 2014, 25-year old Monique Teruelle P. Manuel.
“Bataan is very proud of you. This is something to smile about,” Gov. Albert Garcia told Manuel, who bagged the title of Miss Earth Eco-Tourism on May 11, 2014.
Welcomers at the Bulwagan I of the Bataan Capitol in Balanga City roared and cheered, especially when, after some prodding, Garcia—considered as the most eligible bachelor in the province—planted a brief kiss on the blushing Manuel's cheek.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan, headed by Vice-Gov. Efren Pascual, Jr. passed a Resolution of Acknowledgement, which also congratulates Manuel on her success and her bringing honor and pride to the province.
Manuel was Miss Bataan Tourism 2007, representing the municipality of Dinalupihan at age 17.
“Salamat sa pagpunta ninyo upang masilayan ang kagandahan ko,” jested Manuel, Bachelor of Science in Psychology graduate from Assumption – Makati.
She said she was offering her crown not only for herself, but for her province. She described it as a place of people who could not be easily conquered or cowed.
“We are blessed having a beautiful environment and history. There is a big potential for our tourism endeavors to be known not only in the Philippines, but in the whole world,” the beauty queen said.
Manuel said she looks forward to working on sustainable environmental projects with local government units. She said she would like to start her eco-tourism program in Bataan, particularly in her flood-prone town of Dinalupihan.
“The concept of eco-tourism is the key to poverty alleviation. Kapag lumakas ang turismo sa isang bayan dahil sa pangangalaga sa kalikasan, this will increase the livelihood of the community,” she said.
Before she left on board her flower-laden karosa for a motorcade, she advised the youth – “Dapat may layunin at determinasyon kayo hindi lamang para sa inyong sarili kundi para sa bayan.” — VC, GMA News
