Philippines wins its first Miss Earth;

Karla Paula Henry outshone 84 gorgeous women across the earth

Miss Philippines-Karla Paula Henry reacts after winning the Miss Earth 2008 last November 9 2008 at Clark Expo Amphitheater, Angeles, Pampanga, Philippines

Standing at 5 feet and seven inches, Karla Paula Henry of the Philippines outclassed 84 other gorgeous women of the earth last November 9 2008 at the Clark Expo Amphitheater in Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines.

Having not only the home court advantage, Karla swept the other finalists in her superb catwalk and witty answer making her the very first Miss Earth from Asia and the 7th titleholder from the Philippines.

When the top 4 candidates were asked about “What would you tell US president-elect Barack Obama about the state of the global environment if ever you were to meet him?”, Miss Philippines Karla Paula Henry responded ” For me what I would tell to newly-elected president of the United States, being one of the most powerful countries in the world, I would encourage him to use the environment or to implement environmental knowledge in teh curriculum of all schools, whether in the United States or in the Philippines. Environmental knowledge is something that all of us must share, but most importantly we must teach the youth that this is something that we should instill in them so that in the near future they will be the ones to take care of our mother Earth. I firmly believe in the saying that the children definitely are our future

After winning the crown, Karla once again put the country’s map in the beauty capitals of the world. One of the early favorites, Karla proved that you can win at the very step of your hometown by giving the best that you could in the competition.

Miss Air 2008 is Miriam Odemba of Tanzania, Miss Water is Abigail Elizalde of Mexico, and Miss Fire is Tatiane Alves of Brazil.

Rounding off the 4 other finalists were:

COLOMBIA, Mariana Rodríguez
SPAIN, Adriana Reverón
SWITZERLAND, Nasanin Nuri
VENEZUELA, Daniela Torrealba

TOP 16 SEMI-FINALISTS:

CZECH REPUBLIC, Hana Svobodová
KOREA, Seo Seol-hee
NIGERIA, Uko Ezinne
POLAND, Karolina Filipkowska
ROMANIA, Ruxandra Popa
RUSSIA, Anna Mezentseva
THAILAND, Piyaporn Deejing
USA, Jana Murrell

SPECIAL AWARDS:

Miss Photogenic – Miss Philippines
Best in National Costume – Miss Panama
Best in Swimsuit – Miss Mexico
Miss Talent – Miss Australia
Best in Long Gown – Miss Venezuela
Miss Friendship – Ecuador

From left: Miss Fire,Tatiane Alves of Brazil; Miss Water,Abigail Elizalde of Mexico; Miss Earth 2008,Karla Paula Henry of the Philippines; Miss Air,Miriam Odemba of Tanzania