New Miss Earth honored, thankful for pageant victory

Newly crowned Miss Earth 2019 Nellys Pimentel has said that she is honored and thankful for her pageant success in Manila.

On Instagram, Pimentel said: "Proudly rePResenting. Everything just clicks sometimes. No other words can describe all the emotions I’ve felt this last month that led up to such a life changing moment. I am honored and thankful to have become part of such a great family;

"Becoming Miss Earth 2019 means much more than a crown. It means gaining a bigger voice to address environmental issues in a way that create change. It means becoming the first of my country to have won this pageant;

"It means making Puerto Rico proud and the first country to own all crowns of the grand slam. It means making my parents, national directors and everyone that helped me get here proud. It means perseverance and empowerment.," Pimentel said.

This 22-year-old psychology graduate was crowned Miss Earth 2019 during a worldwide telecast from Okada Manila in Paranaque City last Oct. 26.

Pimentel edged out 84 other candidates in the international competition that focuses on care and protection for Mother Earth.

This is the first time that Puerto Rico won in the 19-year history of the environment-driven pageant.

Other winners were: USA, Miss Earth Air; Czech Republic, Miss Earth Water; and Miss Earth Belarus, Fire.

During the final question-and-answer round, the top 4 candidates were asked a common question: "There are many people, including notable international leaders, who do not believe in climate change. How would you convince them of the seriousness of this problem?"

Pimentel answered: "I would have to say that addressing this issue of people not believing in climate change is more of a matter of lack of education and not only a lack of education but also the ignorance and not wanting to inform themselves of the fact that we are living in a planet that is our biggest home, and we have taken advantage of it instead of putting back what it is giving to us."

"Making notable leaders and a lot of influencers engage with themselves and become better people is the most important thing to do," said Pimentel.

Miss Philippines Janelle Tee finished in the top 20. Other girls in the semis were: Russia, Chile, Guam, Guyana, Portugal, Japan, Poland, Ghana, England (Best Eco-Video), Thailand, Spain, Colombia, Netherlands, Nigeria, and New Zealand.

For its 19th year, Miss Earth celebrates the flowers of the world. Known for symbolizing beauty, flowers also stand for purity and joy. (Robert R. Requintina/Images courtesy of Edmund Ong Chua and Joel Maniquis)