Karen Ibasco addresses criticism that she does not deserve Miss Earth crown

They say heavy is the head that wears the crown, but Miss Earth 2017 Karen Ibasco is feeling light and still floating on air.

Ibasco on her Instagram account shared that her victory hasn't quite sunk in, but she's taking the responsibilities that come with the crown with appropriate seriousness.

"I am honored and privileged to be the very first scientist to join and win in the whole history of Miss Earth as I shared my voice and represented the whole scientific community for the world to see and hear," the beauty queen shared.

Ibasco graduated cum laude at the University of Santo Tomas with a degree in applied and medical physics.

Fans praised her eloquence in the #EarthTalk and Final Question segments of the Miss Earth 2017 pageants

A number of people online questioned the results and pointed to her advantage as a Philippine delegate in a pageant held in the Philippines.

"It’s never easy to win the crown in your own country because you have to make double even triple efforts to show to everyone that you’re fighting the battle at your best just like everybody else but what made my journey extra special was the overwhelming support I got from my fellow Filipinos," Ibasco said.

"No amount of words will change the fact that the battle has already been won. I don’t take this crown for myself, It is for the whole Philippines. This battle was not mine alone but ours," she continued. "I am proud in raising our flag for the whole world to witness. I would like to thank EVERYONE for the love, prayers and support you have given me in my unforgettable journey here in Miss Earth."

In true beauty queen fashion, Ibasco declared that she wants her crown to be a beacon of hope for people to be a part of global community that addresses the environmental problems we're facing today. — LA, GMA News