Miss Earth pulls out of Chile


By Armin Adina
Inquirer
Last updated 00:42am (Mla time) 10/29/2006

Published on page I1 of the October 29, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

MISS EARTH WILL BE HELD IN THE PHILIPPINES again on its sixth year.

During the pageant night in September last year, pageant organizer Carousel Productions announced that Santiago, Chile would host the 2006 Miss Earth pageant.

But Carousel president Ramon Monzon recently said the Philippines would play host this year as usual because “some requirements were not fulfilled by the organizers in Chile.”

Carousel project director Peachy Veneracion explained, “The Chilean organizers could not confirm the venue of the pageant, hotel accommodations for the participants and the television station that would broadcast the event.”

“They don’t even have a swimsuit provider,” added Joji Felix-Velarde, Carousel vice president for external affairs. “I pleaded with [Tourism Secretary] Ace [Durano] when the pageant was set for Chile. I didn’t want Miss Earth to leave the country. It was born here, it should stay here.”

Felix-Velarde said the pageant was her group’s way of helping the country by promoting tourism. “God heard my prayer,” she said.

The Chilean government apparently didn’t give enough support, Veneracion said.

Until June, Chile was still listed as host. But by September, when basic requirements remained unmet, Carousel officials decided to pull the pageant out of the deal and back to the Philippines, where it had been staged for the last five years.

Outgoing queen Alexandra Braun from Venezuela was delighted with the decision. “This is my second time here in the Philippines and I’m happy to be back,” she said to members of the media recently. “I have a lot of memories and great experiences here. You have a great country… with a great heart.”

Miss Philippines Catherine Untalan appeared unfazed by her being a host-delegate. “It pushes me to give my best,” she said, admitting there’s “more pressure because everyone’s watching.” But she vowed that her countrymen would be “proud of me.”

More than 90 delegates are expected to arrive at the Traders Hotel, their official residence, starting Nov. 4.

Coronation night is set on Nov. 26 and will be telecast on ABS-CBN at 9:30 p.m. The ceremonies will be beamed to some 70 other countries via Star World and The Filipino Channel.