Filipino-Italian Silvia Celeste Cortesi was crowned as this year’s Miss Earth Philippines. She is a science degree-holder and a part-time model hailing from Rome, Italy.
During the question and answer portion, Silvia was asked about what she thinks of the Boracay closure and clean-up, and she responded with, “I agree with the decision of Pres. Duterte. And I think that Boracay needs a drainage system because the ‘juice’ of trash goes directly [to the] ocean. We have to control the capacity of hotels.”
The ladies who will join her as ambassadors of environmental protection are Miss Philippines-Air Zarah Bianca Saldua, Miss Philippines-Water Berjayneth Chee, Miss Philippines-Fire Jean Nicole de Jesus, and Miss Philippines-Ecotourism Halimatu Yushawu.
As Silvia holds the crown, it comes as a surprise that this is her first time in the Philippines. In an interview with ABS-CBN, she shared how her mom encouraged her to join the pageant and what kept her going. “My motivation is because my dream was to be here in the Philippines and to work here in the Philippines. I chose this pageant because it’s not only [about one’s] beauty.”
“It’s my first time here in the Philippines and I went here without knowing the language,” Silvia said. “It was really hard to be here. And English is also not comfortable for me.” She trained to speak in English and even Filipino prior to the competition. “I did my best [in this pageant]. Thank you so much for the trust and thank you to all the people who supported me every day. I will learn. I also want to speak Tagalog. I’m just so happy now.”
Congratulations, Silvia!
[Inquirer and GMA News Online]
Photo courtesy of Miss Earth Philippines
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