By Gemma Q. Casas
Variety News Staff

GAYS in the local community are joining the environmental group Beautify CNMI! to help protect the islands’ pristine environment.
Rep. Cinta M. Kaipat, chairwoman of the Beautify CNMI!’s legislation committee, said the gay community has reached out to the environmental cause by cleaning up various beaches around Saipan.
In their latest clean-up drive, the group voluntarily helped collect 820 lbs. of trash including empty beer cans, bottles, napkins and even condoms, according to Kaipat.
Kaipat, Covenant-Saipan, said since Beautify CNMI! is a nonprofit organization and relies on volunteers to carry out its various cleanup drives, the gay community’s involvement is much appreciated.
“We want them to promote the beauty virus,” she said.
Angelo Villagomez, chief coordinator of the Restoration Conservation and Development Council, said the gays can do a lot to help promote cleanliness and protection of the local environment.
Villagomez was among the judges in Ms. Earth Diva 2007 held last May 9 along with Assistant Attorney General Mike Nesperos Jr., former Ms. NMI Universe 1988 Ruby Hamilton, Saipan Tribune editor Jayvee Vallejera and Joy Yumul, commercial print and ramp model and manager of Jollibee.
Kaipat and John McCaroll, regional program manager of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, also showed up at the same beauty pageant despite their busy schedules.
Miles Morales aka Miss Thailand was crowned Ms. Earth Diva 2007.
The 24-year-old gay beauty queen works as a waitress in Garapan and used to be a math teacher in the Philippines before coming here.
Morales, who asked that his real name not be used, said the gay community will join future Beautify CNMI! cleanup efforts.
Other contest winners were: Minorca Mercado who represented Venezuela and was crowned Miss Air; Sussie Rocha of the Marianas who was crowned Miss Water, and; Miss Fire Sushmita Sen of Trinidad & Tobago.
The four said the CNMI’s main tourism selling points, the sun, sea and the sand, should be protected to ensure that tourists keep coming.
Event Coordinator Sharmaine Artadi said the gay community is not just in the business of making people beautiful, they are also actively involved in beautifying the islands.
Eight candidates competed for the Ms. Earth Title and used pseudonyms. Although only one went home with the crown, others got miscellaneous awards.
Cassandra Ponti of Guam bagged the Ms. Earth Spirit and Ms. Personality awards.
Hally Berry of South Africa took the Ms. Congeniality award while Sharon Cuneta-Pangelinan of the Philippines got the Ms. Photogenic. Denise Rivera of Puerto Rico was named Best on Catwalk.
Sussie Rocha of the Marianas was named Best in Costume while Minorca Valenzuela of Venezuela got the Best in Swimsuit and Best in Evening Gown awards.
Vannie Varga, 2003 Queen of the World Reigning Queen, crowned Ms. Earth Diva 2007.
The event was sponsored by Marpac, Top Notch, Dollar Days, Island Floral & Gifts, Asks Salon & Fashion, Genoveva’s Hair Power, D’ Elegance Café and Island Rent a Car.