Candidates for the Miss Philippines-Earth pageant have invaded Calapan, Mindoro on Friday for their long gown competition and first elimination round.
Of the 48 hopefuls for the Miss Philippines-Earth title, 10 will be eliminated after the formal gown showdown at the Calapan Gym.
Meanwhile, the candidates took part in the town’s Santacruzan watched by more than 20,000 people who lined the parade route.
The beauty pageant participants then went straight to Sto. Niño Church and Holy Infant Academy, where ABS-CBN President Charo Santos studied high school and graduated as valedictorian.
They then went to the town’s coastal barangays to plant mangrove trees.
This is part of the pageant’s advocacy to take care of the environment.
The Miss Earth beauties also took time to see the natural wonder of Caluwagan Lake created by the earthquake that struck Mindoro in 1994.
After Friday’s tour around the town and the long gown competition, eliminations for the pageant will be held every week until the top 10 finalists are chosen.
Coronation night for Miss Philippines-Earth will be held on June 5 in Puerto Princesa.
Aside from Mindoro, the beauty queen hopefuls are also set to visit the provinces of Ilocos, Rizal, Quezon and other towns where the Miss Earth beauties came from.
Miss Philippines-Earth is the second beauty pageant which ABS-CBN supports after Binibining Pilipinas. – With reports from Ginger Conejero, ABS-CBN News; and ANC
