Miss Earth Northern Marianas Heavenly Pangelinan poses for a photo prior to leaving the CNMI to participate in the Miss Earth Pageant in Manila.
HEAVENLY Pangelinan, the NMI’s reigning Miss Earth, left for Manila to vie for the 2024 Miss Earth title.
Pangelinan has been the NMI’s Miss Earth since early September, succeeding Zowie Cruz.
Pangelinan said she’s feeling “amazing, excited,” and “a little bit nervous.”
According to a news source from the Philippines, other delegates from around the world have already begun arriving in Manila ahead of the pre-competition outreach activities.
The national director for Miss Earth NMI, Bench Legaspi, said Pangelinan will join the rest of the contestants in a media presentation on Wednesday, Oct. 23.
From Oct. 24 to Nov. 5, they will go on a familiarization tour of Manila and surrounding areas, as well as participate in pre-pageant events, including a fashion show, the long-gown, swimsuit, and talent portions of the competition.
The coronation of the new Miss Earth will take place on Nov. 9 at Okada Manila resort.
Pangelinan said she believes in the Miss Earth pageant motto, “Beauties for a Cause.”
“It’s so different from a regular pageant that focuses on looks and fashion,” she said. “This is more of a community thing. That’s what interested me the most, and also just being able to have this opportunity to give back to my community.”
Pangelinan said a recent trip to Japan opened her eyes to what recycling can do for a community.
“I saw [that Japan] requires their citizens to recycle and I saw the huge difference in statistics and the difference it can make for the people and their environment when they recycle. It’s such a big difference. I really want to incorporate that in my advocacy.”
Legaspi said there are around 80 countries competing in this year’s Miss Earth pageant, which is hosted by a country that takes its beauty queen pageants seriously.
“It’s a big deal for [the Philippines],” Legaspi said, adding that he has advised Pangelinan to “focus” and “be kind” everywhere in Manila. “I’m praying for Heavenly because I see potential for her. It’s a big opportunity for us to be the first, if Heavenly wins the crown.”
Pangelinan hopes to make a difference in her community.
“I also want to tell everybody that I hope to make them proud as a daughter of the Marianas, and I will do my very best to represent us,” she said.
