ILIGAN CITY (PIA) — Twenty-nine beauty queens across the country showcased their talents in the Miss Philippines Earth 2024 Talent Competition, held at a resort here. This year, Iligan City is the official venue for the talent segment of this prestigious beauty pageant.
To highlight diversity and creativity, candidates featured various talents, including singing, dancing, painting, acting, and more.
Mayor Frederick Siao expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to host the pageant, as it could have a positive impact on local tourism.
“Ang impression sa mga tawo outside Iligan, ilang perception kanunay is gubot ang atong syudad. We have to combat this. Kinahanglan nga atong hinay-hinayon og change labaw na ang mga bag-ong henerasyon karon, nga makita nila nga naa man diay ang Ms. Earth, nga naa’y lain-laing events sa Iligan, meaning walay problema. Mao na ang atong adbokasiya, mao pud na ang isa sa atong Iligan Development Goals,” he said.
(The impression of people outside Iligan is that our city is always chaotic. We have to combat this. We need to gradually change this, especially for the new generation, so they can see that events like Miss Earth and other activities happen in Iligan, meaning there are no problems. This is our advocacy and one of our Iligan Development Goals.)
Moreover, Kristel Anne Codas, representing Iligan City, won the gold award for the talent competition. In an interview, she emphasized her commitment to promoting sustainability and eco-consciousness through her passion for biology.
“Being a biology student, actually gastem ra ni sya tanan sa passion as to how we respect life as it is. Daghan kaayo ta’g ma-advocate for it. One of the ways we could promote sustainability and eco-consciousness among people is to highlight research as an important tool, especially in our country today. Many Filipinos are still misinformed and uninformed of many things happening in our environment, especially affected kaayo ta. So I think, nindot nga i-highlight ang research. And as a biology student, I think ga-connect jud ang biology and research sa atong daily lives,” she said.
(Being a biology student, this is all driven by passion as to how we respect life as it is. There’s so much we can do to advocate for it. One of the ways we could promote sustainability and eco-consciousness among people is to highlight research as an important tool, especially in our country today. Many Filipinos remain misinformed and uninformed about numerous environmental issues that significantly impact our lives. Therefore, I believe it’s crucial to emphasize the significance of research. And as a biology student, I believe biology and research are truly connected to our daily lives.)
The candidates also participated in various activities, including a mall tour, coastal clean-up, coral reef planting in Barangay Dalipuga, and tree planting at Mt. Agad-Agad.
“Napaka-hospitable ng mga tao dito sa Iligan. Nag-enjoy kami sa food dito. I am looking forward to more adventures in Iligan City. I enjoyed my visit here,” Jonalyn Banihan Balaura from Aglipay, Quirino, said.
(The people in Iligan are very hospitable, and the food is amazing. I am looking forward to more adventures in Iligan City. I’m enjoying my visit here.)
Meanwhile, Abigail Supilanas Cajegas from Dasol, Pangasinan, highlighted her advocacy for coral reef preservation through her movement, Ocean Impact, during a visit to an artificial coral project in Iligan. (LELA/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)
