Miss Earth candidates visit the PHL Army

Several Miss Earth candidates on Monday paid a visit to the Philippine Army, where they spent some time at the shooting range and joined the armed forces in a clean-up activity in a vital wetland and bird sanctuary.

According to a press release from the Army, the candidates' visit is part of the "adopt a delegate" partnership between pageant organizer Carousel Productions and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The candidates paid a courtesy call on Commanding General of the Philippine Army Lieutenant General Macairog Alberto and went to the Army Shooting Range for a quick lesson on shooting and gun safety.

The Army and delegates from Spain, Sierra Leone, Korea, Canada, Armenia, Belgium, Poland, South Africa, Hungary, Venezuela, Australia, USA, Chile, Germany, Honduras, Philippines, Singapore, and Mauritius also took part in a clean-up drive and tree planting activity at the Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area (LPPCHEA).

Canadian candidate Mattea Henderson voiced her appreciation for the visit. "It really shows you that no matter what country you are in there is always a sense of safety because people are choosing to protect you and they're sacrificing their lives, their time with their loved ones, in putting themselves danger’s way to make sure that we have a better quality of life," she said.

The current Miss Earth is Phuong Khanh Nguyen of Vietnam. She will crown her successor at the coronation event on October 26 in Naga City, Camarines Sur.

The Philippines will be represented at the event by Janelle Lazo Tee, who was named Miss Philippines Earth in July.

The Miss Earth competition was embroiled in controversy late last year when some contestants came forward to accuse a sponsor of sexual misconduct and competition officials of not helping them. — BM, GMA News